counter-pressing U18 soccer drills
counter-pressing U18 drills that you can apply to help your players progress on the counter-pressing aspect. Sign up to receive our latest drills.
Access more drillsJosé Mourinho's Counter-pressing Upon Losing Possession in 4v4 (+4)
Exercise used by José Mourinho at Real Madrid, it will allow you to work on counter-pressing in an 8v4 situation with 4 support players. Be sure to close down spaces immediately after losing possession!
Mark out a 30x30m area and then place 2 large goals on each width. Then form a team of 4 players and a team of 8 players. The team of 4 positions itself in the area, and the team of 8 places 4 players in the area and 2 players on each length of the field.
The exercise starts with a 4vs4 within the area with 4 players as support. The objective for the team with a numerical advantage is to complete a series of 8 consecutive passes before being able to score. The objective of the defending team is to recover the ball and score without a pass limit.
Upon losing the ball, the players on the sides must quickly close the spaces and press the ball carrier. The idea is to perform a counter-pressing and recover the ball within 6 to 8 seconds after losing it.
The rules of the exercise are as follows:
- The players with a numerical advantage are limited to 2 touches of the ball. The opposing players (the team of 4) have no touch limit.
- The team of 8 scores a point for each series of 8 consecutive passes.
- The team of 4 scores 1 point if they recover the ball and score on the large goal. If the opposing team recovers the ball within 6 seconds after losing it, they score 1 point.
Categories
U17 U18 U19 SeniorsSub-themes
Counter-pressingDiscover our counter-pressing U18 drills
3v3 (+1) Build-up with mini-goals and first line pressing
15 min
7-14 joueurs
Small-sided games
U18
Numerical advantage build-up situation (GK + 3 players) to beat the first line of press and find outlets towards mini-goals....
6v3 Positional Play with Mini Goals
15 min
12-24 joueurs
Small-sided games
U18
Positional play where 6 players maintain possession against 3 pressing, with objectives of passing and quick transitions to mini-goals....
Defending and Delaying in the Final Third in 6v6
20 min
12-16 joueurs
Small-sided games
U18
Opposition scenario where the defensive team must delay the attack, protect the penalty area, and prevent shots and crosses before counterattacking towards mini-goals....
3v3 Opposition with Goalkeepers and Neutral Support Players
15 min
14-18 joueurs
Small-sided games
U18
3v3 play on a half-field with two central neutral supports to execute one-two-three passes and attack the depth after the build-up play....
3-Team Transition Game: Intense 2v4 Pressing in Zones
15 min
12-15 joueurs
Small-sided games
U18
Three-team transition game where two players press the team in possession within a zone, and roles rotate continuously....
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9v9: midfield pressing and maintaining a compact block across 3 zones
12 min
18-20 joueurs
Small-sided games
U18
9v9 game in zones to work on midfield pressing, central density, and the ability to play vertically under pressure....
3v3: shooting with outside support and delayed runs
15 min
10-14 joueurs
Tactical
U18
3v3 shooting sequence where players use the wide players as support before attacking the shooting area....
Possession game in 3 zones with transitions and numerical disadvantage on the weak side
20 min
12-18 joueurs
Small-sided games
U18
Three-zone possession exercise to work on reactions to transitions, the disadvantage on the weak side, and movements preparing for a potential loss of possession and counter-pressing....
Possession game with quick transitions upon losing the ball
20 min
12-24 joueurs
Small-sided games
U18
Working on ball possession under pressure with immediate reaction to losing possession to strengthen defensive transition and coordinated pressing....
Possession game in 2 zones with role change
15 min
14-18 joueurs
Small-sided games
U18
Possession and switch of play drill in a three-zone format with role rotation between attackers and defenders....
Defensive transitions after loss in rondo games
12 min
14-20 joueurs
Warm-up
U18
Immediate reaction work upon losing possession through successive rondo sequences. Ideal as a warm-up for a session focused on counter-pressing....
Possession game in double zone with coordinated press
20 min
10-20 joueurs
Tactical
U18
Possession and organized pressing drill in two adjacent zones to work on transition and counter-pressing after losing the ball....
Defensive transition of Pep Guardiola in an 8vs7 with 4 supports
20 min
18-21 joueurs
Small-sided games
U18
Used by Pep Guardiola during a training session at Manchester City, this drill will help you work on the attacking-defensive transition in the upper part of the field....
Jurgen Klopp's Attacking-Defensive Transition with a Reduced 6v6 Game
20 min
15-18 joueurs
Small-sided games
U18
Inspired by a Jurgen Klopp exercise, this 6v6 small-sided game (with 6 neutral players) is ideal for working on transitions, particularly the attacking-defensive transition....
José Mourinho's Counter-pressing Upon Losing Possession in 4v4 (+4)
20 min
12-16 joueurs
Tactical
U18
Exercise used by José Mourinho at Real Madrid, it will allow you to work on counter-pressing in an 8v4 situation with 4 support players. Be sure to close down spaces immediately after losing possession!...
Double 3v2 with pressing from a central square
15 min
11-15 joueurs
Small-sided games
U18
In this 3v2 (and 3v3 with pressing), your players will be able to work on coordinated press as well as transition play when losing the ball. Used by Mauricio Pochettino during his time at Tottenham....
Counter-pressing work by J. Nagelsmann in 10v10 with 4 goals
20 min
18-22 joueurs
Tactical
U18
Used by Julian Nagelsmann at RB Leipzig, this 10v10 exercise with 4 mini-goals will allow you to multiply counter-pressing situations....
Small group possession in 4 zones
20 min
12-18 joueurs
Small-sided games
U18
4v2 possession exercise with switch of play and attacking-defensive transition that will require a lot of focus and intensity....
Warm-up with a small-sided game focused on counter-pressing
15 min
12-21 joueurs
Warm-up
U18
This drill is ideal for a warm-up before a session focused on counter-pressing work. Remember to gradually increase the intensity during the exercise....
Ralf Rangnick's Possession Game to Work on Transitions
15 min
12-24 joueurs
Small-sided games
U18
A relatively simple possession drill to set up, but with certain constraints that will allow your players to work on transition play and counter-pressing, initiated by Ralf Rangnick....
Recovery and Switch of Play in an 8v8 on 2 Zones
30 min
16-20 joueurs
Tactical
U18
Still based on Positional Play, this exercise allows you to work with your players on quick recovery (gegenpressing) as well as switching play under pressure. A perfect mix!...
"Juego de Posición" in possession 9v9 + 2 support players
20 min
20-22 joueurs
Tactical
U18
The "Juego de Posicion" popularized by Pep Guardiola is an important element of this game, ideal for a large number of players. Positioning will be crucial throughout the drill....
Rondo 8v3 and Passing Accuracy Under Pressure
20 min
11-22 joueurs
Technical
U18
With this drill, players are challenged to find creative solutions to maintain possession of the ball while constantly being put under pressure....
Pressing and Gegenpressing: 4vs 2 + 4 in a double grid
20 min
10-14 joueurs
Tactical
U18
The principle is simple: possession in the small central square, then opening up to the large square. In this drill, players learn to quickly transition from defense to attack and from attack to defense. Gegenpressing, or counter-pressing, is an important training objective....
Attacking transition: pressing and ball circulation
20 min
12-16 joueurs
Tactical
U18
Through a drill with a single goal in the middle of the field, your players work on defensive-to-attacking transitions: pressing and recovery (defensive), circulation and combination play towards attack (offensive)....
Other sub-theme U18 soccer drills
U18 Agility soccer drills
- Fast-paced 3v1 play with speed and agility work
- 3v3 with 4 supports and a central player
- Circuit training: aerobic endurance and explosiveness
U18 Attacking transition soccer drills
- Midfield Line: Advancing and Defending as a Team
- Exploiting a Numerical Advantage with 3v2 Duels
- Possession with 3 teams and quick transition play
U18 Build-up play soccer drills
- Positional attack and movements between the lines
- 8v8: connection of the fullbacks with the attacking line across 5 zones
- Possession play and progressive switches of play
U18 Circuit soccer drills
- Breaking the lines: warm-up with passing circuit
- Rafael Benitez Passing Circuit with give and go, opening, and direct play
- Athletic circuit with ball: passing and agility work
U18 Cognitive soccer drills
- 1v1s on small goals with a defender chasing
- Bayern Munich: agility and quickness on a 4-cone run
- Pep Guardiola's off-the-ball agility with speed and coordination work
U18 Counterattack soccer drills
- Attacking to defensive transition with a 5v3 in a dual zone
- Attacking transition of José Mourinho with quick attacks in 5v3
- 2(+1) vs 2 with goalkeeper – quick attack from wide area
U18 Defensive recovery / Tracking back soccer drills
- Possession game in 2 zones with role change
- Defensive transition of Pep Guardiola in an 8vs7 with 4 supports
- Attacking-defensive transition of Mikel Arteta in a 4v2
U18 Defensive transition soccer drills
- Midfield Line: Advancing and Defending as a Team
- Aerial duel, second ball, and dynamic play in 5v3
- 7v7 Possession Game with 3 Neutral Players and Gate Passes
U18 Dribbling soccer drills
- Getting Open and Combinations in Front of Goal
- Mr. Bielsa: working on lateral-winger automatisms with a passing circuit
- Fast ball dribbling athletic drill
U18 Dribbling soccer drills
- Speed work, one-two pass, dribble, and shooting
- Dribbling and Shooting in a Speed and Precision Circuit
U18 Duels soccer drills
- Aerial duel, second ball, and dynamic play in 5v3
- Duel Training by V. Del Bosque in 1v1, 2v2, and 3v3
- 1v1s on small goals with a defender chasing
U18 Endurance soccer drills
- Athletic circuit with ball: passing and agility work
- Speed training: interval sprints on various courses
- Athletic and conditioning circuit in 4 sets
U18 Explosive strength soccer drills
- Dribbling and Shooting in a Speed and Precision Circuit
- 3v3 with 4 supports and a central player
- Fundamental endurance with an athletic circuit over 3 stations
U18 Fun Game soccer drills
- Duel Training by V. Del Bosque in 1v1, 2v2, and 3v3
- Agility and information gathering by color and by team
- Luis Enrique: Switch of play in a dynamic 3v3 with a neutral player
U18 Gaps soccer drills
- Passes between the lines with 2 final third zones in 5v5
- Collective play in deflection: movement and availability
- José Mourinho's 3v3 with two external zones and passes between the lines
U18 Motor skills soccer drills
- Pass, dribble, cross, and near-post off-the-ball run
- Endurance capacity circuit with ball and motor skills work
U18 Offensive combinations soccer drills
- Build-up play: finding space between the lines
- Jurgen Klopp's offensive combination with a double cross in front of the goal
- Getting Open and Combinations in Front of Goal
U18 Overload soccer drills
- Warm-up: working on play with support
- Luis Enrique: Switch of play in a dynamic 3v3 with a neutral player
- Offensive combination with short passing game, overlap, and shooting
U18 Passes soccer drills
- Warm-up with Carlo Ancelotti's Y passing drill
- Diamond play with passing combinations
- Combined attacking play with a through ball
U18 Positional play soccer drills
- "Juego de Posición" in possession 9v9 + 2 support players
- Switch of play and defensive positioning game
- Building the Attack: Movement and Finding Open Space
U18 Possession soccer drills
- Possession game in double zone with coordinated press
- Pressing then possession play in 3 zones by D. Simeone
- Luis Enrique: possession play in 10v10 across 6 zones
U18 Pressing soccer drills
- Warm-up: pressing, constrained play and counter
- Pressing and Counterattack Work in 8v8
- Possession game with quick transitions upon losing the ball
U18 Rondos soccer drills
- Rondo and Switch of Play in 4 Zones by Rafael Benitez
- Possession game and attacking transition with 3 teams of 5
- 5v5 attacking game with 4 support players in tight spaces
U18 Scanning soccer drills
- Zonal marking: defensive positioning and team block
- Positioning and movement to find space between the lines
- José Mourinho's 3v3 with two external zones and passes between the lines
U18 Shooting soccer drills
- Quickly combine around and inside the penalty area
- Possession play and switching against a low block
- One-touch shooting with diagonal run
U18 Support soccer drills
- Short passing game and direct play with support
- Warm-up: working on play with support
- "Juego de Posición" in possession 9v9 + 2 support players
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