Football Practice: Attacking and Counter-Attacking

It’s great for kids and younger players, but can be used an adapted for players at all levels.

Set-Up

Area 40x20yds, with two zones marked 10yds into each end.
Two small goals at one end, to serve as targets and one normal goal, set back 5yds behind opposite end line, defended by GK, as illustrated.
17 players (incl. GK) divided into two teams of eight (Reds / Blues).
Players in each team work in pairs.
All balls with Blues.
Practice starts with: Blues serve ball forward to Reds, who send-out two players to receive and attack goal.
Blues send-out one player (A) to make 1v2.
Reds objective is to get ball into Blues end zone and shoot at goal.
If Blue Defender wins ball: a second Blue (B) takes a ball and attacks either of the two goals at opposite end to score.
Two Reds become recovering Ds attempt to stop this. Reverse roles of team after suitable period of practice.

Practice Detail

Make sure organisation and pattern of the practice is fully understood by the players.
For very young players: this may mean going through it with ball in hands first.
Practice can be operated from an attacking or a defending perspective.
Emphasise need to think about space and time and how this affects decision-making.
Monitor physical load on the GK.
Simple progressions for this practice are:
If Blue Defender (A) wins ball in middle area: Second Blue (B) can support to make 2v2 and attack small goals to score.
If Blue D delays long enough (decided by the coach): Second Blue (B) can join in to create 2v2.
Reds send out three As and Blues send out two Ds to create 3v2, with normal rules applying.

Coaching Points

1v1 skills and individual attacking techniques.
Creating 2v1 passing opportunities with individual techniques.
Isolating individual D and making through pass to attack goal.
Shooting to score on the move, versus GK.
Individual defending in 1v1 & 1v2 situations.
Use of pitch perimeter to trap Attacker and deny pass to supporting player.
Delaying and denying space to pass behind. Recovering and blocking possible shots