Gafferbook
Transitions ยท U11 to adult

Continuous 5v5 transition waves

Three teams of five: after each attack, the team that lost the ball goes off and a fresh team enters to attack the other way. High-intensity, real-game transitions.

U11 to adultAges
15 plus keepersPlayers
Two-thirds pitchArea
15 to 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

  • Two goals; three teams of five.
  • One team waits behind each goal.

Equipment: 2 goals, three colours of bibs, balls

How it works

  1. Team A attacks team B.
  2. When the attack ends, B attacks the other way against team C coming on.
  3. A goes to wait behind the goal.

Coaching points

  • Switch on instantly when you win it.
  • Come on fast and organise.
  • Attack before the defence sets.

Add this drill to a session plan โ†’

Make it easier

  • Allow a 3-second reset

Make it harder

  • Attacks limited to 12 seconds

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

Questions about this drill?

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More transitions drills

Five-second counter-press box

4v4 possession where the team that loses the ball scores a point if they win it back within five seconds. Trains the instant reaction when the ball is lost.

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Counter-attack 3v2 to goal

Two defenders win the ball in their half and a third player joins to counter 3v2 on the other goal. Teaches a fast, direct attack in the seconds after winning the ball.

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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

When a team loses the ball, players must sprint back behind a recovery line before the opponents reach it. Teaches recovery runs as a habit.

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Three-team transition game

Three teams: one attacks, one defends, one waits. When the attack ends, the defenders attack the other way against the waiting team. Non-stop transitions.

See the drill โ†’