Coaching Points

1. Compactness in defence.
2. Forcing play. Force opponent into wide/middle areas. Block passing options when the ball is in the wide/middle area. Prevent switching play if the ball is wide. First priority is to regain possession. If not possible, force opponent playing backwards. That gives time to shuffle sideways without opponent progressing forwards. Regain possession (prior to SSG, practice technique and skill of 1v1 defending, intercepting and tackling).
3. Recognize situation. Is it the right moment to counter attack? Where is the space? How many players do we have up front? How many defenders does opponent have? Is the opponent organized/disorganized?
4. First options (depending on player characteristics, available space, organisation of opponents, score, zone of regaining possession etc.): Pass forward into space behind defenders, Pass forward into striker’s body, Run with the ball/Dribble, Pass/RWTB sideways/backwards followed by forward pass.
5. Support. On regaining possession (better players can predict it), support should be offered immediately for player in possession (after forward pass is made).
6. Squeeze. As the ball travels forwards, the team needs to move towards the direction of the attack.
7. Speed and quality. Every action should be made at maximum pace. However, quality should be still high. Even if the simple pass is made inaccurately, counter-attack will not be effective.
8. End product. Finish the counter-attack with shot on the goal or switch into positional attack (possession based) in the final third.

Diagram 2. Force Play

• Forcing play. When the ball is played to fullback, players number 9, 10 and 6 block the nearest passing options.

Diagram 3. Striker Positioning

• When the ball is in the defending half, players number 10 and 9 don’t attempt to be in front of the ball line unless defensive midfielder (6) or one of the central defenders (3, 4) made a forward run. Two players positioned in behind of the ball line provide the opportunity to counter-attack more effectively.

Diagram 4. Pass In Behind

• Pass in behind the defence. When defending deep and opponent is playing through the thirds, there is a lot of space created in behind of the opponents defence. If the ball is played to the striker into free space, it is always a danger for slow defenders who can’t read the game well.

Diagram 5. Pass Into Striker

• Pass into strikers body. This option provides the team with more time to offer support (players number 2 and 10 on this diagram) and use other players to progress forwards. It can also be used as an opportunity for striker to turn and exploit the space in behind.

Diagram 6. Running with the Ball

• RWTB/dribbling. On regaining possession the ball can be also moved forwards by running with it or dribbling depending on situation.

Diagram 7. Space to Run

• When possession is regained in the middle area, there is often a space created in wide areas which can be effectively exploited. On this diagram, we can also see a specific movement of player number 9 who creates space for player number 10 to run into.

Diagram 8. Negative Pass to Progress

• Pass/RWTB sideways/backwards before progressing forwards. When regaining possession, first pass doesn’t have to be necessary played forwards. If the ball is played sideways/backwards, opposition mindset (usually it means pressing) is not prepared for the following quick forward pass and counter-attack. That can be used to create space in behind of the opposition defence and on the other side of the pitch (switch play). If it is not the right moment for counter-attack, then the team can start to attack through the thirds.

Diagram 9. Counter or Not to Counter?

• Sometimes it is not appropriate to counter. Decisions should be made to slow play down and maintain possession if the opportunity does not present itself.