Counter Attacking

One of Brian Clough's biggest strengths was his awareness, years ahead of his time in English football at least, of the potential of counter-attacking football. - Taken from an article in the Guardian Newspaper 22.1.2010 

Warm Up

Set up and instruction: As shown in the diagram, the green team must work hard to win the ball back and then transfer it up the field to their extra player. Once the ball is played long all the green players must rush to support in the new area of the field, while only 3 yellow players can follow the ball in an attempt to win it back. The process then continues and the first team to transfer the ball 5 times wins the game (or make 100 passes in possession) 

Area: Three 15x20 areas, the space can be increased for groups of larger numbers.

Coaching points:

• Verbal and visual communication 
• Look to penetrate quickly once possession is won
• Quick speed of play
• Support off the ball to keep possession and give the player on the ball options 

Progressions:

Limit players to play 2 touch.

Main Drill

Set up and Instruction: 

4v4 plus 2 target players outside the area.

Green v Yellow with complete freedom in the area, allocate each team a target player who they must get the ball to. Your team will get 2 points if you play the ball to your target player from your own half and only 1 if you are in the attacking half when passing to your target. Once the target player gets the ball, he/she will then play out to the other team and the game continues. 

Play for points. 

Coaching points:

• Look to play long immediately but short if necessary 
• Play patient and look for opportunities to develop, don't play hit and hope!!
• Once a target player has the ball in possession, look to support quickly with useful angles of support 
• Communication

Conditioned Game

Set up and Instruction: 

40x60 area, play 5v5 with GKs and 4 target players. One a team wins possession, they should aim to hit the ball into 1 of their target players then run to support for a lay off and shot.

Scoring: 

1 point for a long ball into target player

+2 points if there is a successful lay off and shot.

Coaching points:

• Quick combination and finishing 
• Know when to go for goal and when to keep possession, don't waste chances
• Quick speed of play/decision making 
• Once retaining possession look to get forward quickly 
• Communication