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.
Your assistant coach: turn this drill into a full session, plan the weeks around it and tell me how it went.
Set-up
- Two goals; one team defends each goal, one team starts in the middle with the ball.
- Teams of 4 or 5.
Equipment: 2 goals, three colours of bibs, balls
How it works
- Middle team attacks one goal.
- When the attack ends, the defending team attacks the other goal against the third team.
- Keep rotating; count goals.
Coaching points
- Switch on immediately when you win it.
- Attack quickly before the next team sets.
- Waiting team: be organised, ready to defend.
Add this drill to a session plan โ
Make it easier
- Allow a 3-second pause
Make it harder
- Attacks limited to 10 seconds
AttackersDefendersKeeper / neutral- - โ Passโ Runใฐโ Dribble
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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.
See the drill โCounter-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 โContinuous 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 โWin 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 โSprint 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 โDefend the corner, then break
The team defends a corner, then breaks quickly to score in mini goals at halfway. Teaches the counter-attack from set pieces, a common source of goals.
See the drill โ