Week 67 Counter Attack Half Pitch

Instructions/Setup:

This drill begins with a forward pass from the center circle into a central forward who is being marked by 3 defenders from behind. Upon receiving the initial pass, a counter-attack phase is triggered. The attacking team consists of 6 players, while the defending team has 5 players, creating an overload for the attackers.

The attackers are split into 3 players making forward runs from the center circle, and 2 defenders who are making recovery runs from the same position. The focus of this drill is on quick transition, utilizing numerical superiority in attack, and encouraging effective decision-making when transitioning from defense to offense.

Coaching Notes:

• Quick Transition: As soon as the central forward receives the ball, the attackers must transition quickly into a counter-attacking mindset. Encourage the attackers to make direct, forward runs, immediately exploiting the space left by the defenders.

• Awareness and Timing: The players making forward runs from the center circle must time their movements well. They should focus on timing their runs to either drag defenders out of position or create space for themselves to receive a pass.

• Decision-Making: The center forward, who is under pressure from 3 defenders, should quickly assess whether to lay the ball off to a teammate or take on the defenders. Encourage them to make decisions quickly, and utilize the overload in attack.

• Defensive Recovery: The 2 defenders making recovery runs must work hard to close down the attackers. Their role is to stop the counter-attack by positioning themselves effectively and applying pressure to the ball carrier. They should communicate with each other to make the most of their numerical advantage.

Progression 1: Limit the Number of Touches:

Introduce a limit on the number of touches the attackers can take. This encourages quicker decision-making and improves ball control during fast transitions. For example, restrict each attacker to 2 touches or less.

Focus: This progression focuses on increasing the tempo of the counter-attack, requiring the attackers to think and act faster under pressure.