Gafferbook
Transitions ยท U9 to adult

Coach's ball counter race

Two teams stand in the middle; the coach plays the ball into either half and both teams race to attack or defend. Reaction, organisation and speed of thought.

U9 to adultAges
8 to 12 plus keepersPlayers
Two-thirds pitchArea
15 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

  • Both teams start in the centre circle area.
  • Coach on the halfway line with balls.

Equipment: 2 goals, bibs, balls

How it works

  1. Coach plays a ball into one half.
  2. Nearest team to it attacks that goal; the other team recovers.
  3. Next ball goes as soon as the attack ends.

Coaching points

  • React to where the ball goes.
  • Attackers: go quickly before the defence sets.
  • Defenders: sprint back on the inside line.

Add this drill to a session plan โ†’

Make it easier

  • Coach calls which team attacks

Make it harder

  • Two balls at once

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

Questions about this drill?

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Counter-attack 3v2 to goal

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Continuous waves: 2v1 into 3v2

Two attackers go against one defender; as soon as the attack ends, that defender and two teammates attack the other way 3v2. Non-stop overloads with lots of goals.

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Win it and go (4v4 + counter goals)

A possession game where winning the ball lets you attack two counter goals straight away. Teaches the first forward pass after a turnover.

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Sprint back: recovery after losing it

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Three-team transition game

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