Week 42 Fast Break Countering

Instructions/Setup:

Play starts with a pass into one of two attackers, who are positioned in a 2v1 scenario. Once either of the attackers takes their first touch, play is live. With 2 recovering defenders, the aim is to counter-attack quickly and efficiently to take advantage of the overload. The attacker who played the initial pass also becomes live, meaning the 2v1 has the potential to become a 2v3 or 3v3 depending on the situation.

Coaching Notes:

• Quick Decision-Making – Encourage attackers to make quick decisions once the ball is received, whether to shoot, pass, or continue dribbling. The goal is to exploit the overload before the defending team can recover fully.

• Speed of Play – Focus on maintaining a fast pace in the transition phase. Encourage players to accelerate into the open spaces and make quick, accurate passes to capitalize on the numerical advantage.

• Defender Positioning – The defenders should quickly work to organize themselves during the counter, but also be aggressive in closing down the attackers. Ensure they are not caught out of position while trying to regain possession.

• Attacking Movement – The attacking players should be constantly moving to create passing options and to stretch the defensive shape. Effective off-the-ball movement will increase the chances of successfully completing the counter-attack.

Progression 1: Increased Defenders

Introduce an additional defender to make the scenario more difficult, creating a 2v2 or 3v3. This progression will challenge the attackers to make quicker decisions and work together more effectively to break down the defenders.

Focus: Improving quick decision-making and offensive combinations under pressure.

Progression 2: Timed Counter

Implement a time limit on the counter-attack phase, requiring attackers to complete the transition within a set period (e.g., 10 seconds). This forces the attackers to act quickly and take advantage of the overload before the defenders can reorganize.

Focus: Enhancing speed and efficiency in counter-attacking situations.