Football/Soccer Session (Academy Sessions): (PDP) Counter-attacking & shooting 3

(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 3MF’s, who proceed to

attack the 8D’s (6v8).

• Defending team has 1 player in centre circle & 1 (opposed) CF in

opposite attacking zone.

• When D’s 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.

• MF’s 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 D’s 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.