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Attacking and counter attacking

Attacking and counter attacking

Players in each team work in pairs. all the balls with the blues. Game starts when the blues serve the ball forward to the reds, Who send out two players to receive and attack the

Counter

U15-U16 Game-related Advanced 65 mins 8–14 players Game tempo Transition Attacking
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Practice timer

65:00

Pitch layout
Players Ball Pass / movement Cones / markers

How to use this session

  1. Set the learning intention before players arrive.
  2. Copy the pitch picture as closely as numbers allow.
  3. Protect ball-rolling time; intervene in natural stoppages.
  4. Use STEP live if challenge or success tips too far.

Session flow

Arrival · 8 mins

Warm-up rondo — Attacking and counter attacking

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 — Attacking and counter attacking

18:00

Directional game with a condition that makes attacking and counter attacking the easiest path to success. Multi-ball restarts.

Organisation: Age-appropriate pitch; bibs.

Coaching points
  • Recognise when attacking and counter attacking 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

Attacking and counter attacking

18:00

Players in each team work in pairs. all the balls with the blues. Game starts when the blues serve the ball forward to the reds, Who send out two players to receive and attack the goal. Blues send out 1 player to make 1v2.

Organisation: Balls: 12; Bibs: 2x3; Cones: Y; Goals: 4; Other: Flat cones

Coaching points
  • Reds objective is to get the ball in the blues end zone and shoot at goal.
  • If the blue wins the ball another blue attacker is allowed on the pitch to help score on the two goals, the two reds act as defenders.
  • Questions
  • What is the best way to attack the single defender?
Progressions
  • Increase pressure / reduce space / add direction.
Regressions
  • Remove opposition or enlarge the area to restore success.
Game · 16 mins

Transfer game — Attacking and counter attacking

16:00

Open or lightly conditioned game. Freeze only to reinforce one coaching point from attacking and counter attacking.

Organisation: Age-appropriate pitch and numbers.

Coaching points
  • Catch them being good when the theme appears.
  • Manage challenge vs success live.
Progressions
  • Remove all conditions.
Regressions
  • Reintroduce the theme condition for 3 minutes.
Plenary · 5 mins

Review & cool down

5:00

Players share one learning from the session against the intention.

Organisation: Team huddle.

Coaching points
  • Link back to Four Corners and next session.

Related drills

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, one attacks it one goes edge 5v4 initially DEF: GK & 3 CBs ATT: ST, 2xCM, 2x WB (2 teams)

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7v7 DEF: GK, 3 CBs, 2x WB, 1xCM ATT: 2xST, 3xCM, 2x WB

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

Use in creator

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)

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Defending and always being an option

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 7v6 DEF: GK, 2xCBs, 2xW, 1xCM ATT: 2xST, 3xCM, 2x WB Defending and always being an option

Use in creator

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