Football/Soccer Session (Academy Sessions): Counter - Attacking

Passing to finish (15 mins)

Focus + Session design

• Passing pattern to finish warm-up (in-out-through) 
• Replicating a counter-attack - realistic distances and tempo
• 3 groups of 4 attacking in waves (4v2)
• 2 sets of 2 CBs defending and a GK
• First practice players set up with a 9, 10 and 2 wide players
• Alternate direction each go
• 5mins 

Coaching detail

• Practice starts with the wide player taking a touch inside and playing into 9 to set 10 
• 10 to overhit the pass and play in space between CB and FB for far-wide player to attack
• 9, 10 and wide player who starts the practice to attack the box
• As soon as attack is over, realistic recovery runs to get back in

• Attack with pace and purpose
• Ball detail is key, start with a tempo and play the ball in front for wide player
• Change lanes with diagonal runes
• Attack different areas of the box

Progressions/Regressions

• Change starting pattern

Conditioned game (20 mins)

Focus + Session design

• Conditioned SSG with the emphasis on counter-attacking
• 9v9 
• Pitch dimensions are penalty spot to penalty spot, pitch coned off 5 yards in and disked out as seen in image as a reference to funnel the attack towards goal through the middle
• Game to be played in own half, without the ball. On transition, looking to play ball into opposition half and support. Look for attacking movements and scenarios from previous practices and encourage hard running and desire to join in. 
• Both team must leave 1 defender in own half and attacker in oppositions
• 2 x 6min games - 2min rest

Coaching detail

• Distances between players out of possession, be hard to play through
• Recognise triggers to pop out and engage or to steal some yards
• Interceptions are better than tackles 

• On transition regain, can we quickly play forward away from pressure and desire to join in and support. 

• On loss of ball, can we immediately close the net around the ball to effect and win it back. 

Progressions/Regressions

• If too challenging, can say have to leave two defenders back, for defensive balance