Football/Soccer Session (Academy Sessions): U14 Session 12: Drill & SSG - Counter Attacking

Set Up (5 mins)

Organisation

Split players into two teams - 6 Red and 3 Blue.

Red team play with 2 CB's; No.6 & 8 and No. 9 & 10

Create area with 50 x 30 yards, with two coned goals.

Red team to be coached.

Aim

Red server to play ball to either No.6 or 8 player, who then seek to create a shooting opportunity via either quick passing to Red 9 or 10 or running with the ball.

If blue team obtain possession ,can they score through either of the coned goals within 6 seconds.

Coaching Points

Speed of play is important:

1. Passes must be accurate and control by receiving player must be good. Receiving player must receive the ball with an open body position, on the front foot - therefore being able to see as much of the pitch as possible.

2. If speed of play is too slow, it will give the Defence an opportunity to get more players back behind the ball.

3. Players looking to receive the ball must create passing lines by movement. Trigger points? As soon as player receives the ball, start move into position? Move too soon, and the passing line risks being defended, or speed of play will slow down if the receiving player received the ball stationary. Ball should be played to the receiving player so as to enable fluid play to continue - ball should be played in front of the receiving player.

4. Quick decision making is important. Should the ball be passed? Should the player in possession run with the ball? If so, can the player in possession draw a defender so as to create space for another player so that a pass can be made?

5. What type of pass? short passes along the ground? Sometimes a lofted pass may do the trick?

Players must work together to create space in which the ball can be received:

1. Good communication is essential.

2. Can players create space by 'go to show' or 'show to go'? Which is best? 'show to go' means the player to be passed to has momentum in the correct direction - 'go to show' stunts momentum?

3. Can players create space by switching with each other?

4. If closely marked, can a player create space for a team mate by bumping back and taking his defender with him?

Issues

For U13/14's, is it realistic to expect LB/RB to counter from very deep on a repeated basis during a match on a full size pitch?

If possession is gained in our half, can possession be maintained via safe passes (16 passes) with a view to gaining territory up to the half way line. Such an approach will give the players a chance to regain their shape. Once up to the half way line, can we then attack with speed akin to counter attacking?

If we gain possession in the opponents half, can we counter attack at speed?

the ball be played out from the back - 16 passes - to enable

Progression 2 (10 mins)

Progression 2

Add extra CB and allow red server to join play once ball is played in - still allow extra blue defender to join play once Red team have been in possession for 6 seconds (now 7 red and 5 blue).

Drill - Counter Attacking on the Wing (5 mins)

Set Up

Use a full width half pitch.

Mark out 5 channels with cones as shown - illustrated A-E.

Split players into 2 teams, 7 Red and 5 Blue. B;ue team play in a 3-1 formation.

Play commences with either LB/RB each time on an alternate basis.

Instructions

In order to keep shape and balance, condition the red players as follows:

When play starts with Red 3 -

All players must adopt starting positions within their channels as above - Red 3 in A, Red 11 in B, Red 8,10 & 9 in C, Red 7 in D and Red 2 in E.

Red 3 - must commence play from Channel A.

Red 3 & Red 11 - can not be in the same channel as each other - one must be in Channel A; one in Channel B.

Red 8 must remain within B & C

Red 10 must remain within B & C

Red 9 must remain within B,C&D.

Red 7 must remain within C & D

Red 2 must remain within D & E.

When play starts with Red 2 -

All players must adopt starting positions within their channels as above - Red 3 in A, Red 11 in B, Red 8,10 & 9 in C, Red 7 in D and Red 2 in E.

Red 2 - must commence play from Channel E.

Red 2 & Red 7 - can not be in the same channel as each other - one must be in Channel E; one in Channel D.

Red 8 must remain within C & D

Red 10 must remain within C & D

Red 9 must remain within B,C&D.

Red 11 must remain within B & C

Red 2 must remain within A & B.

Red Team aim to counter attack at speed, and score within 10 seconds.

If Blue team obtain possession, they score by passing the ball over the half way line.

Coaching Points

1. Quick movement of the ball - player running with the ball at speed or rapid passing and support play.

2. Early and quick shots on goal.

3. Direct football - can LB/RB cut inside and shoot?

4. Any cross - aiming for the near post - half a goal!

5. Good decision making - take a player on or pass?

Effect Red 3 - Must be decisive - attack, attack, attack - at speed. Quick running with the ball. If he's closed down, what are his options? Pass to Red 11 and maintain his run looking for the one two? Take the Defender on? What then? Head for the goal line and cross the ball in and risk losing possession or cut inside and go for goal? If the ball is crossed in - look for a cross to the near post if possible. Never be in the same channel as Red 11. If Red 11 comes wide in channel A - is the underlap on?

Effect Red 11 - Must support Red 3. Underlap? Overlap? Never in the same channel as Red 3. If receives the ball - receive it on the front foot - return ball or press for goal? Good control. Quick movement. Good passing - always in front of the next player in order to maintain momentum. Red 11 remains in Channels A & B.

Effect Red 8 - provide support for an early pass if required. Provide cover if Red 3 pushes on - slide across as necessary. But - work with Red 11 - if he provides cover for Red 3, Red 8 may be able to push up higher. Consider balance and risk of a counter bh thge other team though. If receives the ball - receive it on the front foot - return ball or press for goal? Good control. Quick movement. Good passing - always in front of the next player in order to maintain momentum. Avoid becoming isolated by remaining within Channels B & C.

Effect Red 10 - Move to create attacking passing lines within Channels B, C & D - but also to create space for the player ball if he drives forward. Work with Red 9 when attacking the goal - near post? penalty spot? Work in conjunction with Red 11 - stay out of the same Channel as Red 11. If Red 11 cuts in, can Red 10 move to create an underlap/overlap?

Effect Red 9 - Highest Red player on the pitch. Play within the channel of the penalty area at all times - Channels B, C & D. Provide an attacking outlet.