Gafferbook
Small-sided games ยท U10 to adult

Attack v defence with counter goals

Attackers build from halfway and try to score; defenders win it and counter into mini-goals. A game-related practice for any attacking theme, with real defending and transitions.

U10 to adultAges
10 to 16 plus a keeperPlayers
Half pitchArea
20 minsTime

Your assistant coach: turn this drill into a full session, plan the weeks around it and tell me how it went.

โž• Put it in tonight's session๐Ÿ—“ Build my season around itโœ๏ธ Make my own version

Set-up

  • Attacking team (5 or 6) starts at halfway.
  • Defending team (4 or 5) plus a keeper; two mini-goals on the halfway line.

Equipment: Goal, 2 mini-goals, cones, bibs, balls

How it works

  1. Coach serves to the attackers; they have 30 seconds to score.
  2. Defenders win it and score in a mini-goal.
  3. Points: goal 3, shot on target 1, counter goal 2.

Coaching points

  • Use the theme of the session: switches, overlaps or combinations.
  • Attack quickly before the defence sets.
  • Lose it? Counter-press straight away.

Add this drill to a session plan โ†’

Make it easier

  • Defenders one fewer

Make it harder

  • Attackers have 20 seconds

AttackersDefendersKeeper / neutral- - โ†’ Passโ†’ Runใ€ฐโ†’ Dribble

Questions about this drill?

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