Week 17

Outcomes

• ✓Players can recognise the moment of ball loss and react within one second
• ✓Players can coordinate a counter-press with at least two players converging on the ball carrier
• ✓Players can block the forward pass with body position during the counter-press
• ✓Players can transition to an organised defensive shape if the counter-press fails within five seconds

Equipment

• 15 cones
• 6 flat markers
• 6 bibs (2 colours)
• 4 balls
• 2 large goals

Run of show

1. 1. Activation & 11+ Warm-Up

   15m

   Set up: 20×20 yd area. Groups of 4, one ball per group.

   How to run it: 4v0 rondo to warm up. On coach's clap, one player intentionally gives the ball away by passing out of bounds. Immediately the nearest two players sprint to 'counter-press' a cone representing the opponent who received it – they must both arrive within 3 seconds. Teams rotate the intentional giveaway. Add 11+ glute activation, lateral hops, and two 15-yd reactive sprints to close the warm-up.

   • ›First step of reaction must be immediate – no hesitation on the clap
   • ›Both counter-pressers must arrive together, not one at a time

2. 2. Technical/Functional Practice – Counter-Press Patterns

   15m

   Set up: 30×20 yd grid. Groups of 5 (2 attackers, 2 defenders, 1 neutral). Neutral always with possession team.

   How to run it: Attacking team (with neutral) plays 3v2 possession. When coach shouts 'lose it!', one attacker deliberately plays the ball to a defender. Immediately, both attacking players counter-press the two defenders. Defenders try to play out cleanly within 5 seconds. If they cannot, it's an automatic turnover back to attackers. Count successful counter-presses vs. escapes.

   • ›First counter-presser closes the ball, second closes the easiest escape pass
   • ›Do not press in a straight line – arrive at a press angle to block the forward pass
   • ›If the counter-press fails at 5 seconds, the team must immediately drop into shape
   • ›Counter-press is about proximity – the players nearest the ball must react, not players 20 yds away

3. 3. Skill/Phase Game – 5-Second Counter-Press Game

   15m

   Set up: 35×25 yd grid. 5v5. Two small goals at each end. Coach has extra balls on the side.

   How to run it: Normal 5v5 with one rule: if you win the ball via a counter-press within 5 seconds of your team losing it, your team earns a bonus point in addition to any goal scored. Coach counts to 5 aloud after each turnover so players hear the window. Coach feeds a new ball in from the side immediately after each point so intensity stays high.

   • ›Two nearest players commit to the counter-press; remaining three drop and cover in case it fails
   • ›A good counter-press wins the ball or at least forces a long clearance – both are wins
   • ›After winning possession, play forward immediately

4. 4. Conditioned Tactical Game – 8v8 Counter-Press Block

   20m

   Set up: 60×40 yd pitch. 8v8 with goalkeepers. Full-size or large goals.

   How to run it: 8v8 with the following rule: the moment a team loses possession, they have exactly 5 seconds to win it back. If they fail, they must drop behind the ball immediately into a 4-4 or 5-3 defensive block. Coach uses a stopwatch and calls '5!' to signal drop time. Teams that counter-press successfully and score earn double goals.

   • ›All 8 players must understand their role: closest two press, next three cover lanes, back three hold the line
   • ›Players closest to the ball must sprint – 5 seconds is very short at this level
   • ›If the block is needed, the deepest players must establish the defensive line first

5. 5. Scrimmage

   15m

   Set up: Same 60×40 yd pitch, free play 8v8 with GKs.

   How to run it: Free scrimmage. No added conditions. Coach watches counter-press emergence organically and notes the average response time after a turnover.

   • ›Are players who just had the ball reacting within 1 second?
   • ›Watch for teams who fully abandon the counter-press – they will be worked on next session

6. 6. Cool-Down & Debrief

   5m

   Set up: Players jog a lap then form a circle for static stretches.

   How to run it: 1 lap at easy pace, then 4 minutes of static stretching focusing on hip flexors, quads, and calves (the muscles of sprinting and decelerating). Debrief: coach counts down from 5 and asks players to raise their hand when they think they can reach a ball 10 yds away. Discussion: 'Only within 2 seconds is a counter-press viable. After 3 seconds – drop and organise.'

   • ›Manage urgency vs. organisation – not every ball loss needs a counter-press
   • ›Preview: next session applies the 5-second rule in a full 11v11 environment

Outcomes

• ✓Players can evaluate in real time whether to counter-press or reorganise after a turnover
• ✓Players can execute a coordinated 3-player counter-press in the attacking and midfield thirds
• ✓Players can transition from a failed counter-press to a compact 4-4-2 within 5 seconds
• ✓Players can communicate the counter-press or drop decision to teammates immediately

Equipment

• 20 cones
• 8 bibs (2 colours)
• 4 balls
• 2 full-size goals
• 1 whiteboard

Run of show

1. 1. Activation & 11+ Warm-Up

   15m

   Set up: Full team in two lines, 10 yds apart, at the penalty area. Players pair up across the line.

   How to run it: Pairs do a mirroring warm-up: one player moves laterally, forward, or backward; the partner mirrors. After 4 minutes, add a ball: one partner passes across, the other controls and counter-presses back immediately. 11+ protocol at 8 minutes: forward lunge with twist, lateral shuffle, sprint-stop. Two 25-yd reactive start sprints to close.

   • ›Mirroring partner must stay within 2 yds at all times
   • ›Reactive starts: explode from a standing position on the coach's clap, not an audible cue from the partner

2. 2. Technical/Functional Practice – Counter-Press Decision Rondo

   15m

   Set up: Half pitch. Three 10-yd zones: high (attacking), mid, and low (defensive). 8 possession players plus 3 pressing players distributed across zones.

   How to run it: Possession team builds through zones. Pressing team is allowed to counter-press only in the high and mid zones. If possession is lost in the low zone, the pressing team must drop immediately – no counter-press. Coach moves a flag to indicate the live zone. Run 5-minute sets, then swap possession and pressing teams.

   • ›Counter-pressing in the low zone is dangerous – disciplined drop is correct
   • ›In the high zone, commit to the counter-press with two players minimum
   • ›Decision-maker is the player nearest the ball – teammates read their first movement
   • ›Calling 'press!' or 'drop!' as soon as possession is lost is mandatory

3. 3. Skill/Phase Game – Transition Overload 6v4

   15m

   Set up: 50×35 yd pitch. 6 attacking players vs. 4 defending players plus a neutral GK.

   How to run it: Attacking team of 6 tries to score. When the defending team of 4 wins the ball, 2 additional players (sitting on the side) enter as support to make it 6v6. Transition attack must begin before the 2 enter – this forces immediate counter-pressing decisions from the original 6 to prevent the quick numerical equaliser. Rotate extra players every 3 minutes.

   • ›The moment the defending team wins it, attackers must counter-press before the 2 reinforcements arrive
   • ›Two counter-pressers commit to the ball; four attackers hold wide positions in case the press fails
   • ›Transition to defence must be immediate – not after watching the ball for 2 seconds

4. 4. Conditioned Tactical Game – 11v11 Transition Moment

   20m

   Set up: Full pitch 11v11 with goalkeepers. Coloured flat markers in the attacking and midfield thirds to indicate 'counter-press zones'.

   How to run it: Full 11v11 game. Condition: any goal scored within 8 seconds of winning a counter-press in a marked zone earns triple points. Any goal scored after a failed counter-press (ball not recovered within 5 seconds) earns zero bonus. Coach tracks time after each turnover. One tactical pause per half.

   • ›Watch the attacking midfielder – they are usually the counter-press trigger in the middle third
   • ›Forwards must be willing to defend the moment they lose possession
   • ›The triple-goal incentive should drive urgency without creating reckless pressing

5. 5. Scrimmage

   15m

   Set up: Full pitch 11v11, free play.

   How to run it: Free scrimmage. Coach observes transition moments only – note whether teams use a counter-press or drop, and whether the choice was appropriate. Count the number of counter-press successes across both teams combined.

   • ›Is the call ('press' or 'drop') happening within 1 second of losing the ball?
   • ›Watch for counter-presses launched from 20+ yds away – highlight as a teaching point

6. 6. Cool-Down & Debrief

   5m

   Set up: Seated on the pitch in two groups: press advocates vs. drop advocates.

   How to run it: 2 minutes light jog, then static stretches. Debrief game: coach reads a scenario (e.g. 'ball lost in our defensive third, 3 defenders behind us') and each group argues press or drop. Coach judges the answer and explains. Close: 'The counter-press is a weapon, not a habit. Choose when to use it.'

   • ›Reinforce context-based decision-making over rule-following
   • ›Preview week 18: the defend-to-attack transition – the first 5 seconds after winning the ball