Week 10

Outcomes

• ✓Players can react to a ball loss within 2 seconds and close down the receiver
• ✓Players can identify when to counter-press vs when to retreat and reorganise
• ✓Players can execute a 3-second counter-press as a unit after a turnover
• ✓Players can transition from counter-press to defensive shape in one fluid movement if the press fails

Equipment

• 10 balls
• 25 cones
• 8 pinnies
• 2 full-size goals

Run of show

1. 1. Activation & FIFA 11+ Warm-Up

   15m

   Set up: 20×20 yd grid. Players in groups of 4 with one ball per group.

   How to run it: Groups pass freely inside the grid. Every time the coach shouts 'LOSE IT!' — the player with the ball drops it and the nearest player presses them within 2 steps. Repeat 10 times. Progress to FIFA 11+ work: side-step lateral hops, single-leg landing practice, Nordic holds (3 reps, partner anchors), and 3×20-yd reactive sprint-and-stop runs.

   • ›Counter-press reaction: the player who lost the ball presses first — not a bystander
   • ›2-step rule: if you're more than 2 steps away when we lose the ball, it's too far to press
   • ›Sprint-and-stop: plant foot hard on the stop — ankle braced, knee soft

2. 2. Technical Practice – 3-Second Counter-Press Exercise

   15m

   Set up: 30×20 yd grid. Two teams of 5. Possession game with a twist.

   How to run it: Normal 5v5 possession. Every time the defending team wins the ball, the possession team has exactly 3 seconds to win it back (counter-press). A coach counts loudly from 1 to 3. If the counter-press succeeds, the possession team continues; if it fails, roles switch. This trains both counter-pressing urgency and protecting the ball after winning it.

   • ›Counter-press trigger: the moment the ball leaves your teammate's foot incorrectly — go
   • ›First counter-presser: close the player with the ball. Second and third: cut the passing lanes
   • ›Ball winner: after winning from a counter-press, play quickly — the other team is still unorganised

3. 3. Skill Game – Counter-Press Circuit (4v4+1)

   15m

   Set up: 25×25 yd grid. 4v4 with a neutral player always with the ball-side team (9v... 5v4 effectively). Play 3-min rounds.

   How to run it: 5v4 possession (4 + neutral vs 4). Whenever the 4 wins the ball, they immediately counter-press for 3 seconds — the neutral player helps them. If the 4 win it back within 3 seconds, they earn a point. If not, normal possession switches. Track counter-press success rate and announce every 5 min.

   • ›Counter-press success rate: world-class teams hit 70%+ — where does this group land?
   • ›Neutral in counter-press: support the nearest presser — don't stand and watch
   • ›After a failed counter-press: drop quickly into shape — don't chase in isolation

4. 4. Conditioned Tactical Game – Transition Intensity

   20m

   Set up: Full pitch. Two teams of 7. A 'counter-press window' of 3 seconds is enforced by the coach with a call.

   How to run it: After every ball loss, coach shouts 'Window!' — both teams know the 3-second counter-press rule is in effect. After 3 seconds, coach shouts 'Play!' — normal game resumes. This makes every transition a coached moment. Play 18 min. Award 1 point for a counter-press goal (goal scored within 6 seconds of winning the ball back from a counter-press).

   • ›The 3-second window is not just a rule — it's a mentality: fight for every ball
   • ›Counter-press goal: the ultimate reward for pressing discipline — celebrate it loudly
   • ›Team without the ball: protect the ball from the counter-press — shield it, play one-touch

5. 5. Scrimmage – Counter-Press in Real Game

   15m

   Set up: Full pitch, normal rules, both GKs.

   How to run it: Free game. Coach counts counter-press moments and whether they're successful. At half-time, announce: 'We had [X] counter-press opportunities; we won [Y] of them.' Second half target: improve the win rate by 1.

   • ›Counter-pressing is mentality before it's technique — want the ball back
   • ›The best pressing moment in the game is the 2 seconds after you lose it

6. 6. Cool-Down & Debrief

   5m

   Set up: Players seated on the pitch.

   How to run it: Static stretching: glute cross-leg, hip flexor, hamstring, calf. Coach asks: 'What is counter-pressing? When do you decide to counter-press vs recover?' Allow players to debate. Key answer: counter-press if you're within 2–3 steps; recover if the ball is already 10+ yds away and the opponent is organised.

   • ›Counter-pressing is the best playmaker, as a famous coach once said — do it every time
   • ›Your counter-press quality will be tested in every competitive game — practise it until it's instinct

Outcomes

• ✓Players can release a fast counter-attack within 4 seconds of winning the ball in their own half
• ✓Players can exploit a 3v2 counter-attack situation with a composed final pass and finish
• ✓Players can recover to a defensive shape within 5 seconds of losing the ball in attack
• ✓Players can identify the correct counter-attack trigger: numbers and space, not just a turnover

Equipment

• 8 balls
• 25 cones
• 8 pinnies
• 2 full-size goals

Run of show

1. 1. Activation & FIFA 11+ Warm-Up

   15m

   Set up: Full pitch. Players in two groups at opposite ends.

   How to run it: Groups run toward each other from opposite ends: group 1 passes in a 3-man weave going right; group 2 does the same going left. When they pass in the middle, they swap groups. Progress with a ball. FIFA 11+ elements: lateral jumps (5 each side), Nordic holds in pairs (3 reps), single-leg balance hold (10 sec each). End with 3 sprint-and-change-direction runs at 80%.

   • ›3-man weave: the person who passes runs behind the receiver — stay in motion
   • ›Sprint-and-change: plant foot hard, drive out of the turn, accelerate immediately
   • ›Nordic holds: the slower you lower yourself, the more protective value you get

2. 2. Technical Practice – 3v2 Counter-Attack Finishing

   15m

   Set up: 60 yds of pitch. 3 attackers start at one end, 2 defenders at midpoint, GK in goal. Coach triggers each run with a pass.

   How to run it: Coach plays ball to lead attacker; 3v2 counter-attack begins. Attackers have 8 seconds to shoot. The central attacker must make the decision: drive and shoot, or play a wide player who cuts inside. After 10 reps, add a third defender who starts at the halfway line and chases — increasing the urgency. Rotate the striker positions.

   • ›3v2: take the middle and force the defenders to commit — then pass to the open player
   • ›Don't over-touch in transition — the lead player attacks the space, not the ball
   • ›Timing of the final pass: play it 2 yds ahead of the runner, into stride
   • ›If the GK closes down, the pass is always on — if the GK holds, shoot yourself

3. 3. Phase Game – Transition Game (4 goals)

   15m

   Set up: Full pitch. Two mini goals at each end (2 per team). Two teams of 6. Ball always starts from a GK with 3 players pressing from the other team.

   How to run it: 3v3 in the midfield zone; teams can score in either of the two mini goals at the opponent's end. Winning possession triggers an immediate counter: 3 players break at speed. Losing possession triggers an immediate transition back: all 3 run back to defend their mini goals. High energy, constant transitions. Play for 12 min.

   • ›Counter: the moment you win it — go. Not a step, not a pause — go immediately
   • ›Recovery: the moment you lose it — sprint back. The game is only lost if you don't recover
   • ›4 goals means multiple targets — the counter should always attack the most open goal

4. 4. Conditioned Tactical Game – Counter vs. Organisation

   20m

   Set up: Full pitch. Two teams of 8. Team A is tasked with organised defending and patient build-up. Team B is tasked with fast transitions and counter-attacks.

   How to run it: Team A earns points for maintaining possession for 6+ passes before shooting. Team B earns points for scoring within 6 seconds of a turnover. Normal goals count for both. Coach observes: when does Team A's organised play break down? When does Team B's counter fail? After 10 min, swap roles.

   • ›Organised team: the best defence against a counter is never losing the ball carelessly
   • ›Counter team: a counter only works if the first 2 passes are clean — no touch mistakes
   • ›Both teams: every transition is a moment of chaos — whoever organises first wins the moment

5. 5. Scrimmage – Full Game, Transitions Matter

   15m

   Set up: Full pitch, normal rules, both GKs.

   How to run it: Normal scrimmage. Coach tracks transition goals (scored within 6 seconds of a turnover) separately. Award an extra point per transition goal to incentivise quick thinking. Announce transition goal count at full-time alongside the regular score.

   • ›Transition moments are the difference between good teams and great teams — chase them
   • ›A great defensive transition often creates the best attacking transition — they're connected

6. 6. Cool-Down & Debrief

   5m

   Set up: Players gathered at the centre circle.

   How to run it: Slow jog around the pitch perimeter for 2 min. Static stretching (quad, hamstring, hip flexor). Coach asks: 'What is the trigger for a counter-attack, and what is the trigger to recover instead?' Discussion — key point: counter if you have numbers and space; recover if the ball is gone and the opponent is organised.

   • ›Reading the transition correctly is a football intelligence skill — it develops with practice
   • ›Ten weeks of work — you now understand the full cycle: build, press, transition, counter