Gafferbook
Transitions ยท U8 to U14

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.

U8 to U14Ages
9 to 16 plus keepersPlayers
30 x 20 m, goals each endArea
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

  • Goals and keepers at both ends.
  • Teams queue behind each goal.

Equipment: Cones, balls, two goals, bibs

How it works

  1. Two from Team A attack one Team B defender.
  2. When it ends, the Team B defender plus two more attack the other way against the two Team A players: 3v2.
  3. Keep the waves going.

Coaching points

  • 2v1: run at the defender, pass when they commit to you.
  • Switch your mind fast: attack ends, defend starts.
  • Defenders: delay and show the attacker one way.

Formations this drill suits

1-2-1 (5v5) drills2-2 (5v5) drills2-1-1 (5v5) drills2-3-1 (7v7) drills3-2-1 (7v7) drills2-1-2-1 (7v7) drills3-1-2 (7v7) drills3-3-2 (9v9) drills3-2-3 (9v9) drills2-4-2 (9v9) drills3-4-1 (9v9) drills

Add this drill to a session plan โ†’

Make it easier

  • Waves of 1v0 into 2v1 for younger groups

Make it harder

  • 3v2 into 4v3
  • 10-second limit per wave

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

Questions about this drill?

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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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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.

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Defend 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.

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