Football/Soccer Session (Academy Sessions): (YDP) Counter Attacking from 2

(YDP) Counter-attackingfrom deep 2

Practice organisation

• Area 80x40yds, divided into three zones, with goals

at each end, as illustrated.

• 14 players (incl. 2GKs), arranged 7v7, 1 ball.

• Teams are arranged 4v4 in centre zone, 2v2 in opposite half.

• Practice starts with: an Attacking player serves into

GK from wide position.

• This player then recovers to establish a good

marking position in 2v2.

• GK distributes ball to A team, who attack his goal.

• D’s work to nullify the attack & on gaining

possession, initiate counter-attack through playing quickly into

strikers or breaking from defensive

areas with 2 players able to support, unopposed.

• The team has 10 seconds to create a goal scoring opportunity &

shoot on goal.

Detail

• If recovering team regains possession it can initiate

its own counter-attack.

• Quick change of defending to attacking attitude.

• Moving the play forward early, accurately & quickly.

• Actions by players ahead of ball to ensure quick attack &

strike at goal.

• Ensure defensive security as team counters the counter-attack.

• Simple progression for this practice is:

- Challenge counter-attacking team to score within

a time frame (e.g. 6 seconds from regaining possession of ball).

Key coaching points

• Speed of initiating attack after gaining possession.

• Accuracy & speed of the passing over ground.

• Timing & speed of supporting runs from players breaking forward.

• Moving forward quickly with ball under control.

• Assessing play whilst moving quickly with ball.

• Inter-play & movement of forwards (in 2v2 situation).

U12 – The player should be able to complete the Learning outcomes in 4v4 functional practices.

U13 – The players should be able to complete the Learning outcomes during under loaded functional practices

U14 – The players should be able to complete the Learning outcomes during under loaded functional practice and SSG

U15/16 – The players should be able to complete the Learning outcomes during under loaded functional practices and 11 v 11 games.