This counter attacking practice begins with a 4 v 3 in a 20 x 40 yard central area, with an attacking midfield box 4 against a midfield 3 playing point up.
After making 5 passes attacking midfielders can finish against the Goalkeeper, if Reds gain possession they can initiate the counter attack.
With an awaiting front 3 against 3 defenders, a forward pass can be played and one support player can join in the counter, creating a 4 v 3 overload.
Key Coaching Points
1. Defensive positioning to regain the ball
2. Look for forward pass when regaining possession
Progressions
An additional Blue defender can support midfield players from deep encouraging a 3 v 2 counter attack when reds win possession..
Player Questions
1. How quickly can we support forward players?
2. When is it best to drive individually or pass quickly into forwards?
How to Defend Deep to Counter Attack
Here are a few tips for getting your team to defend deep, particularly when in and around the goal:
Establish a clear defensive strategy: It's important to have a clear defensive strategy in place, so that players know their roles and responsibilities when defending. This can involve setting up a specific formation or shape, or establishing specific tactics for defending certain areas of the field.
Communicate and coordinate with your teammates: Good communication and coordination are essential for effective deep defending. Players should communicate with each other to ensure that they are covering the right spaces and marking the right players.
Focus on compactness and organization: When defending deep, it's important to maintain a compact and organized shape. This can help to reduce the amount of space available to the opposing team, and make it more difficult for them to penetrate the defense.
Practice defending in training: It's important to practice defending in training, so that players can develop the skills and understanding necessary to defend effectively in game situations. This can involve working on specific defensive techniques, as well as practicing team shape and positioning.
Use tactical fouls as a last resort: If a counter attack is developing and the defender has no other options, they may choose to commit a tactical foul in order to disrupt the attack and give their team time to regroup. However, it's important to be careful with this tactic, as it can result in a free kick or even a yellow or red card if it's deemed dangerous or reckless by the referee.