Counter Attacking | Tech / Skill / SSG (02-S2)

Phase 3: Finishing the Attack

Age Group 11+

Duration 90 minutes

Players 16+

This 3 Part Session develops counter attacking with a focus on close control through dribbling and running with the ball, before progressing into a trigger based possession practice. This progression from Technical to Skill together with detailed constraints and challenges, will aid player learning and skill acquisition.

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Free Soccer Drills

SKILL

02

Counter Attacking | Skill Practice (02-P2)

Set Up / Organisation
This Dribbling practice requires 6-12 players in a 252 area, each dribbling a ball. Players encouraged to be creative and try as many tricks and dribbles as they can.
 

02 P2a

 
Progression 1 | Target Zones
  • Add 2 areas, where players must perform a different trick and with increased traffic closer control is encouraged.
 

02 P2b

 
Progression 2 | Defending Player
  • Add a defender to add pressure to dribblers, so they must avoid each other as well as perform a dribble in area.
 

02 P2c

 
Progression 3 | Passing Floater
  • With increased difficulty with added defender, a floater could act as a wall pass for dribblers under pressure.
 
Key Coaching Points
  • To develop dribbling as a skill, we must ensure players are comfortable without pressure, before adding these progressions. Coaches may wish to focus on a specific dribble before or after allowing players to be expressive in trying new skills.
  • S | Depending on numbers the area can be reduced or increased in size, to alter difficulty based on player's ability.
  • T | Dribblers could be encouraged to get a certain number of dribbles in each area or within a certain time. i.e. 5 different dribbles or tricks in 30 seconds in each area.
  • E | Extra floaters can be added or number of balls reduced so players must lay ball off after dribble and become a passer.
  • P | With added defenders, dribblers challenge is increased and lessened with added floaters, as the coach you must decide what course of action to take.
  • Advanced | More able young players may have the area split into 4 quarters, and encouraged to perform a different dribble in each area, again opposed. They could also be encouraged during the practice to only use their weaker foot, or alternate feet in each dribble.
 
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SKILL

02

Counter Attacking | Skill Practice (02-P3)

Organisation | Set Up
  • Practice 3 of our counter attacking theme has a 2 v 2 with a floater in a 15 by 15 square in each corner of the practice. When possession is won, one of two players must play the ball into an awaiting striker with one player able to support, creating a 2 v 1 to finish. The practice must work in both directions throughout
 

02 P3 Counter Attacking TB 1

 
Defender regain
  • If defender wins possession they must attempt to play the ball into the square to restart the practice and gain a point.
 

02 P3 Counter Attacking TB 2

 
Key Point - Recovery
Depending on player numbers you may be able to allow for recovery rotating players in and out.
 

02 P3 Counter Attacking TB 3

Progression
We can progress this by allowing two players to support the striker, with a defender now active on their first touch, 1 recovering defender will create a 3 v 2 situation. Ensure we rotate attackers and defenders throughout the practice.

02 P3 Counter Attacking TB 4

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SKILL

02

Counter Attacking | Skill Practice (02-P1)

Set Up / Organisation
This Skill practice contains 16 players with a 7 v 7, including GKs, and 2 additional floating players. A 4 v 4 exists in a central area of 25 x 30 yards, with 2 floating players to support, in addition to an attacker and defender for both teams outside of the area. Objective is to break quickly in gaining possession to create an initial 2 v 1 overload in final third to finish. Initial objective is for one team to keep possession whilst other team aims to win possession to counter quickly off their supporting striker in a 2 v 1 in attacking zone.
 

02 P1a

 
Key Coaching Points | Timing of Movement and Pass
  • Assess movement of A and position of D to select best passing option. Execution and nature of forward passing, with emphasis on accuracy, weight and whether aerial or along ground. Remaining on-side. Finishing skills and composure in front of goal between striker and supporting runner. Precise control to enable MF's to play with head up and assess opportunity to play into striker with quality and accuracy.
 

02 Pb

 
Progression 1 | 3 v 2 on Counter
  • On winning possession, teams can now provide 2 supporting runners to link up with the hold up striker with one defender tracking runners, resulting in a 3 v 2 in attacking zone.
 

02 Pc

 
Progression 2 | Rotational Movement in Advanced Area
  • Our final progression now requires our striker dropping in to combine in the possession area on team regaining possession and teammate inside area making an off the ball run into the attacking zone. Player can finish in a 1 v 1, or striker can support to create a 2 v 1 to finish.