The game. Players arranged 3v3 in the centre, with 2 floaters providing numerical ad-vantage for team with the ball. Practice starts with coach serves the ball into the central are
Copy the pitch picture as closely as numbers allow.
Protect ball-rolling time; intervene in natural stoppages.
Use STEP live if challenge or success tips too far.
Session flow
8m
18m
18m
16m
5m
Arrival · 8 mins
Warm-up rondo — Counter -attack from central midfield.
8:00
Players arrive into a ball-rolling activity linked to the session theme.
Organisation: Small grids / mini pitches ready before players arrive.
Coaching points
Smile, connect, set the learning intention early.
High ball rolling from the first minute.
Progressions
Add directional constraints.
Regressions
Reduce pressure / enlarge space.
Whole game · 18 mins
Conditioned game — Counter -attack from central midfield.
18:00
Directional game with a condition that makes counter -attack from central midfield. the easiest path to success. Multi-ball restarts.
Organisation: Age-appropriate pitch; bibs.
Coaching points
Recognise when counter -attack from central midfield. is on.
In possession: create and use space.
Out of possession: organise early.
Progressions
Tighten space or add a scoring bonus for the theme.
Regressions
Add a neutral / bounce player.
Part practice · 18 mins
Counter -attack from central midfield.
18:00
The game. Players arranged 3v3 in the centre, with 2 floaters providing numerical ad-vantage for team with the ball. Practice starts with coach serves the ball into the central area. Objective is for the attacking team to keep possession in area for 5 passes, before looking to play into or behind (a marked) A who starts centrally, ap-prox. 20yds from goal.
Scenario Attackers:
Ball goes down wing and pass into box
Strikers score in box
Scenario Defenders:
Under pressure from counter attack
Protect the middle and shift/left and right to protect the goal/box – DEFENDER OR MIDFIELDER?
IF DEFENDER GOES TO WING MIDFIELD GOES TO BOX
DEFENDER STAYS, MIDFIELDER GOES TO WING
LET THEM FAIL MULTIPLE TIMES LIKE BORO RANGERS GAME.
Attack v defence
DEF: GK & 1 defender/1 midfielder
ATT: rest
Scenario Attackers:
We’ve just won the ball and are now counter attacking
The ball has came from our third to the LWB or RWB who are at half way
We want to attack using width and we want our WB and CM to utilise the switch if necessary
We want forwards getting into the box along with the WB on the side which doesn’t have the ball
Scenario Defenders:
Under pressure from counter attack
Protect the middle and shift/left and right to protect the goal/box
When the ball is won the goal is to play it out and “pass” it into one of the goals.
Hold Middle
Utilize Switch
When ball is going into box, one attacks it one goes edge
5v4 initially
DEF: GK & 3 CBs
ATT: ST, 2xCM, 2x WB (2 teams)
Scenario Attackers:
We’ve just won the ball and are now counter attacking
The ball has came from our third to the LWB or RWB who are at half way
We want to attack using width and we want our WB and CM to utilise the switch if necessary
We want forwards getting into the box along with the WB on the side which doesn’t have the ball
Scenario Defenders:
Under pressure from counter attack
Protect the middle and shift/left and right to protect the goal/box
When the ball is won the goal is to play it out and “pass” it into one of the goals.
Hold Middle
Utilize Switch
When ball is going into box, two attack it one goes edge
7v7
DEF: GK, 3 CBs, 2x WB, 1xCM
ATT: 2xST, 3xCM, 2x WB
5v3
DEF: GK & 2 CBs
ATT: 2xST, 1xCM, 2x W (2 teams)
Scenario Attackers:
We’ve just won the ball and are now counter attacking
The ball has came from our third to the LWB or RWB who are at half way
We want to attack using width and we want our WB and CM to utilise the switch if necessary
We want forwards getting into the box along with the WB on the side which doesn’t have the ball
Scenario Defenders:
Under pressure from counter attack
Protect the middle and shift/left and right to protect the goal/box
When the ball is won the goal is to play it out and “pass” it into one of the goals.
Hold Middle
Utilize Switch
When ball is going into box be on the edge
5v3
DEF: GK & 2 CBs
ATT: 2xST, 1xCM, 2x W (2 teams)