Football/Soccer Session (Academy Sessions): (PDP) Counter Attacking + Shooting 1,2,3

(PDP) Counter Attacking + Shooting 1

Practice organisation

 - Area 75x50yds, marked in thirds with goals at each end, as illustrated.

 - 18 players (incl. 2GKs), arranged 9v9, 1 ball.

 - Players arranged in 3-3-2 formation with each unit confined to their own third.

 - Practice starts with: ball rolled-out by GK into defensive third.

 - Teams score by delivering ball into GKs hands at opposite end of

pitch, from any position on field when opportunity arises.

- Practice is developed by requiring teams to score a goal past GK,

 but from shots delivered only from midfield and attacking thirds.

 - Forwards look for rebounds to score.

 - On gaining possession in the middle zone teams have 8 seconds to 

shoot on goal; 12 seconds from regains in defensive third.

Detail

- Urgency, but controlled defensive mind-set from players.

 - Early defending (in initial phase especially), to deny passes to GK.

 - Anticipate passes & prepare to intercept as first option where possible.

 - Team pressing, compactness & support.

 - Good spacing when team recovers into defensive areas before

 applying pressure to team in possession.

Simple progression for this practice is:

- Play becomes free without conditions so that players understand

when to press early & when to drop to a deeper defending position & counter-attack.

Key coaching points

 - Early pressure by opponents can be applied in initial start to 

practice when ball can be delivered from anywhere into GKs hands

 in order to score.

- When opponents can only score from either middle or attacking thirds of area: defending team should drop to edge of middle third or deeper & defend later, before counter-attacking.

- On gaining possession: counter-attacking team movement & player dispersal ahead of ball.

 - Accurate, quick & incisive forward ball movement to get into shooting range.

 -Support for counter-attack from players moving off the ball.

- Individual concentration from players supporting counter-attack 

from behind to safeguard any potential opposing counter-attack  

moves, on breakdown of play.

 - Focus on quick direct counter-attacking.

 - If counter-attack is denied: re-establish & retain team possession.

(PDP) Counter-attacking & shooting 3

Practice organisation

- Full pitch with goals & central zone 20yds wide marked across full width, as illustrated.

- 19 players (incl. 2GKs), 1 ball.

- Inside defensive area, 2 banks of 4 Defenders line-up against 3 Forwards.

- Attacking team has 3MF’s who start in central zone, unopposed.

- Practice starts with: ball fed by coach into 3MFs, who proceed to attack the 8Ds (6v8).

- Defending team has 1 player in centre circle & 1 (opposed) CF in opposite attacking zone.

- When Ds gain possession: objective is to quickly play into free player in central zone or the furthest A with quick support of 3 players.

- Off-side rules apply.

- MFs are able to recover to combat counter-attack.

- Counter-attacking team has 12 seconds to achieve shot on goal.

Detail

- On interceptions of ball: rapid decision-making as to how to proceed with attack must be made.

- Strength & direction of receiving/first touch is a vital factor to counter-attack success.

- Players breaking from back must cover ground quickly, whilst assessing potential support positions from which they may strike at goal.

Simple progressions for this practice are:

- A in central zone is marked by opponent.

- On regaining possession from 1st counter-attack, team gaining

possession attempt to score quickly in response to counter.

Key coaching points

On gaining possession: move play forward as early & accurately as possible.

If Ds gain possession, run ball out from back & players ahead of ball make intelligent runs to become outlets for passes if needed.

When moving forward on counter-attack: defence move forward, retaining compactness to ensure security against breakdown in play.

Ensure accuracy of passes that may need to be released whilst moving at speed.

Any counter-attack must finish with a strike at goal.