86-P10 · Phase of play
Attack Before the Defence Sets (4231)
Exploit the moments before the opposition can organise with this game-realistic attacking practice.
Counter-attacking
Counter attacking drills. Win it. Go. Before they set.
Counter attacking practices where a team wins the ball and attacks quickly while the opposition is out of shape. Each outline lists the age, numbers, area and key coaching points.
Touchtight Club has 94 practices for this page (as of October 2026). Below: 4 with a free full video and 10 practice outlines.
Age
TopicCounter-attacking
Practices
Counter-attacking drills and practices
14 of 14 shown
88-P14 · 11 v 11
Press to Win Possession (11 v 11)
Develop your team’s ability to press aggressively and win the ball in dangerous areas with this full-pitch 11v11 game.
70-P3 · Small-sided game
3 v 3 Defend and Attack Game (SSG)
Increase the tempo of your sessions with this high-energy game that sharpens pressing, reactions, and attacking transitions.
69-P6 · Small-sided game
Midfield Compactness to Win Possession
Develop your team’s midfield organisation and defensive understanding with this game-realistic compactness practice.
02-P4 · Technical practice
Counter Attacking: Technical
Practice 4 of theme 2 is played in a 30 by 30 yard square, with a GK at each end and 2 groups of players at the side of each goal..
27-P13 · Advanced lead-in to 11 v 11
Defend and Break out to Counter
This practice focuses on developing defensive organisation and quick counters after turnovers of possession.
78-P10 · Phase of play
Defend as a Back 4-Phase of Play
This practice challenges the back four to work as a unit, limiting space and forcing play into less dangerous areas.
10-P11 · Medium-sided game
High Press to Win Possession
This medium sided game takes place on half of a pitch and develops attackers ability to press high and win possession in the final 3rd.
25-P8 · Wave of play
High Press Wave Game
This wave practice takes place in a 20 by 25-yard area and focuses on developing teams ability to press as a unit, win possession & counter.
02-P5 · Opposed practice
Overload Skill: Counter Attacking
With a 30 x 30 yard area in which to work, as well as a 15 x 15 area at the top of the pitch for players to keep possession.
89-P12 · Lead-in to 11 v 11
Protect the Back Line-CDM
Develop your central defensive midfielder’s ability to block forward passes and transition effectively in this breakout possession practice.
37-P9 · Functional practice
Quick Transitions to Defend
This functional practice takes place in a full half of a pitch and focuses on developing quick defensive transitions.
67-P8 · Wave of play
Quick Transitions to Defend and Attack
Challenge your players to react instantly and perform under pressure with this high-tempo transition practice.
11-P12 · Lead-in to 11 v 11
Win Possession Centrally and Counter
Train your midfielders to regain, scan, and strike fast in this high-intensity transition practice built for game-changing counter-attacks.
These are 14 of the 94 practices in Club for this page. Start a free trial to see them all ↗
Coaching it
How to get more from these practices.
The first pass decides it
A counter attack starts at the moment of winning the ball. Coach the first action: look up, find the forward pass or the run, and avoid dribbling back into pressure.
Numbers up, then go
Most of these practices give the attackers a numerical advantage for a few seconds. That teaches players to recognise the moment and to play before the defence recovers.
Practise the other half too
The team that loses the ball has to react. Use the same practice to coach the defensive transition: press, delay or recover.
Questions
What coaches ask.
- What is a counter attack in football?
- A counter attack is a quick attack launched straight after winning the ball, while the opposition has not yet recovered its shape. It usually relies on forward passes and runs to reach the final third in a few seconds.
- Are these practices free?
- The practice outlines on this page are free to read, with the setup and key coaching points for each practice. The full coaching videos, progressions and player questions are in the Touchtight Club library, which you can try free for 14 days (card required).