Gafferbook
Transitions ยท U11 to adult

Midfield turnover to strikers

A 3v3 in the middle third; the team that wins the ball must find their strikers in the final third straight away. Teaches the forward pass after winning it in midfield.

U11 to adultAges
10 to 14 plus keepersPlayers
Pitch in thirdsArea
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

  • Pitch in thirds; 3v3 in the middle.
  • Each team has two strikers v one defender in the final third.

Equipment: 2 goals, cones, bibs, balls

How it works

  1. Midfielders battle for the ball.
  2. Win it and play forward to the strikers within 5 seconds.
  3. Strikers attack 2v1; one midfielder can join.

Coaching points

  • Look forward first after winning it.
  • Strikers: split to give two options.
  • Support the attack quickly.

Add this drill to a session plan โ†’

Make it easier

  • Strikers 2v0 first

Make it harder

  • Strikers 2v2

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

Questions about this drill?

Free AI coaching help from Gafferbook. Ask anything about coaching your team.

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.

See the drill โ†’

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.

See the drill โ†’

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.

See the drill โ†’

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.

See the drill โ†’

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.

See the drill โ†’

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†’