The GK passes the ball between the cones and players A chases the ball before slide tackling the ball through ether goal to set up the wingers who take a touch before shooting at t
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 — Tackling and setting up counter attack.
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 — Tackling and setting up counter attack.
18:00
Directional game with a condition that makes tackling and setting up counter attack. the easiest path to success. Multi-ball restarts.
Organisation: Age-appropriate pitch; bibs.
Coaching points
Recognise when tackling and setting up counter attack. 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
Tackling and setting up counter attack.
18:00
The GK passes the ball between the cones and players A chases the ball before slide tackling the ball through ether goal to set up the wingers who take a touch before shooting at the goal. Players rotate around with the winger who was not involved in the last part of the action taking up the tackling role. Player A recovers and covers the winger without the ball who is allowed to run forward for a cross from the opposite winger.
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)
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