Birmingham Countering Outnumbered

Instructions/Setup:

Play starts with 2 unopposed finishes. Once the second finish is complete, one attacker, who starts on the left side of the penalty area, must quickly attack horizontally across the penalty area and attempt to score into one of the two mini goals. The two original shooters then transition to defend against the single attacker.

The single attacker will be outnumbered (1v2), so it’s crucial that they attack as quickly as possible while the defenders are momentarily unbalanced and disorganized.

Coaching Notes:

• Quick Attack: The single attacker should focus on attacking at pace, using the brief window of defensive disorganization to create a clear shooting opportunity.

• Defensive Transition: The two defending players must quickly regain their shape and communicate to cover the attacking player, ensuring they close down any potential shooting angles.

• Finishing under Pressure: Attackers should focus on being clinical with their finish, taking advantage of the imbalance created by the fast transition.

• Timing and Decision-Making: The defending players should work on their timing and decision-making, making sure to balance pressure with control to avoid leaving too much space for the attacker.

Progression 1: Add a Neutral Attacker:

Introduce a neutral attacker to join the attacking side, creating a 2v2 situation. This will force the defenders to communicate and work together to cover both attackers.

Focus: This progression challenges defenders to work more closely and forces the attacking team to make quick, coordinated decisions to create scoring opportunities.

Progression 2: Add a Time Limit:

Introduce a time limit (e.g., 10 seconds) for the attackers to score, forcing them to act with more urgency and take quicker shots on goal.

Focus: This progression encourages faster decision-making and execution, creating a sense of urgency to exploit defensive disorganization.