counterattack U20 soccer drills

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High press and quick attacks on 2 small goals

Great exercise to train your players in quick attacks following a high press. Offered at Tottenham, it's an ideal small-sided game to end a session.

Animation: High press and quick attacks on 2 small goals
Mark out a large 30x40m area approximately, which you will split into two equal zones. Also, place 2 zones 5m wide at each end of the central area. Finally, place 2 small goals on each of the outer lines (see diagram). Form 2 teams of 7 players, with 2 players from each team in the small outer zones.

The exercise starts with a 5v5 possession game in one of the central zones. The objective for the offensive team (here in yellow) is to make a minimum of 5 passes before playing to one of the support players, who must lay it off with one-touch play so that a player from the team can then score.

When the defending team (here the blues) recovers the ball, they must quickly find one of the support players on the other side of the field. Once this is done, all players switch to the other zone and a new possession starts.

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Counterattack

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2(+1) vs 2 with goalkeeper – quick attack from wide area

2(+1) vs 2 with goalkeeper – quick attack from wide area

15 min
12-18 joueurs
Conditioning
U16 - U17
Anaerobic speed work with multiple quick attacks in 2v2 from a wide area with the option to use a layoff before shooting....
3-Team Transition Game: Intense 2v4 Pressing in Zones

3-Team Transition Game: Intense 2v4 Pressing in Zones

15 min
12-15 joueurs
Small-sided games
U18 - U17
Three-team transition game where two players press the team in possession within a zone, and roles rotate continuously....
Possession game in 3 zones with transitions and numerical disadvantage on the weak side

Possession game in 3 zones with transitions and numerical disadvantage on the weak side

20 min
12-18 joueurs
Small-sided games
U18 - U17
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

Possession game with quick transitions upon losing the ball

20 min
12-24 joueurs
Small-sided games
Seniors - U20
Working on ball possession under pressure with immediate reaction to losing possession to strengthen defensive transition and coordinated pressing....
Attacking transition of J. Klopp with quick attacks in 6v6

Attacking transition of J. Klopp with quick attacks in 6v6

20 min
15-20 joueurs
Tactical
U16 - U17
Used by J. Klopp at Borussia Dortmund, this drill is ideal for working on the defensive-to-attacking transition, emphasizing the speed of attacks when the opposing block is disorganized....
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Attacking transition of José Mourinho with quick attacks in 5v3

Attacking transition of José Mourinho with quick attacks in 5v3

15 min
14-18 joueurs
Small-sided games
Seniors - U16
Used by José Mourinho, this exercise will allow you to set up game situations where the speed of the defensive-attacking transition is crucial, in order to take advantage of a numerical advantage....
Pep Guardiola's Quick Attacks: Working on Transitions in 6v6

Pep Guardiola's Quick Attacks: Working on Transitions in 6v6

20 min
14-18 joueurs
Tactical
Seniors - U16
Exercise used by Pep Guardiola at Bayern Munich, this 6v6 will allow your players to work on attacking and defensive transitions as well as game awareness. Decision-making and quick attacks will be the focus....
J. Klopp: Quick attacks with work on defensive-attacking transitions

J. Klopp: Quick attacks with work on defensive-attacking transitions

20 min
12-16 joueurs
Tactical
Seniors - U17
Used by Jurgen Klopp during his time at Borussia Dortmund, this drill is perfect for working on quick attacks against a disorganized opponent, and thus perfecting the attacking transition in the high area of the field....
Jurgen Klopp's Attacking-Defensive Transition with a Reduced 6v6 Game

Jurgen Klopp's Attacking-Defensive Transition with a Reduced 6v6 Game

20 min
15-18 joueurs
Small-sided games
U17 - Seniors
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....
Defensive transition on 4 zones by Jurgen Klopp (9vs5)

Defensive transition on 4 zones by Jurgen Klopp (9vs5)

20 min
14-18 joueurs
Tactical
U17 - U20
Great exercise in 9v5 to train your players on build-up play under pressure and reaction time to losing possession, while studying the attacking-defensive transition phase....
Transition and "support players" of Pep Guardiola (in 3 zones)

Transition and "support players" of Pep Guardiola (in 3 zones)

25 min
18-24 joueurs
Small-sided games
U20 - U17
Taken from a training session of Bayern Munich (2013/2014), this exercise focuses on working on the defensive-attacking transition in the defensive third with the support of players....
Possession game and attacking transition with 3 teams of 5

Possession game and attacking transition with 3 teams of 5

20 min
15-18 joueurs
Small-sided games
U18 - U17
Inspired by a session from José Mourinho at Real Madrid, this exercise focuses on working on the attacking-defensive transitions in the high area of the field. The intensity you demand from your players upon losing the ball will be key during this drill....
Exploiting spaces in counterattack in the opponent's half

Exploiting spaces in counterattack in the opponent's half

25 min
20-22 joueurs
Tactical
U20 - U17
11v11 game situation to work on the defensive-attacking transition and exploiting spaces in a counterattack. Inspired by an exercise used by Pep Guardiola, this drill is ideal at the end of a session....
Transition and switch of play with support and neutral players (variation)

Transition and switch of play with support and neutral players (variation)

20 min
18-22 joueurs
Tactical
U17 - U18
A variation of the possession game on 2 zones, this exercise will allow you to develop your team with formations similar to those you can use in a match. Intensity will be key!...
Defensive-attacking transition: switch of play with possession in 2 areas

Defensive-attacking transition: switch of play with possession in 2 areas

20 min
12-16 joueurs
Tactical
U18 - U17
Possession game on 2 equivalent zones to work on the defensive-attacking transition in the defensive third. Having a "support" player is key during this transition....
High press and quick attacks on 2 small goals

High press and quick attacks on 2 small goals

20 min
14-18 joueurs
Small-sided games
U17 - U18
Great exercise to train your players in quick attacks following a high press. Offered at Tottenham, it's an ideal small-sided game to end a session....
Attacking to defensive transition with a 5v3 in a dual zone

Attacking to defensive transition with a 5v3 in a dual zone

20 min
12-20 joueurs
Small-sided games
U17 - U18
Possession drill that will allow your players to work on the attacking-defensive transition with the possibility of implementing multiple variations....
Possession game in 4v4 followed by a 2v1 counterattack

Possession game in 4v4 followed by a 2v1 counterattack

20 min
12-18 joueurs
Small-sided games
Seniors - U20
This drill is ideal for working on counterattacks in match situations. You can implement different variations to add rhythm to a session and offer a quality drill to your players (exercise used by Manchester City in April 2019)....
Attacking transition: pressing and ball circulation

Attacking transition: pressing and ball circulation

20 min
12-16 joueurs
Tactical
U20 - Seniors
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)....
Quick attacks by unbalancing the defense

Quick attacks by unbalancing the defense

20 min
12-18 joueurs
Tactical
Seniors - U20
By disrupting the defense and creating opportunities for quick counterattacks, this drill trains your players in rapid attacks and exploiting the disorganization of the opposing defense....
Pressing and Counterattack Work in 8v8

Pressing and Counterattack Work in 8v8

15 min
16-18 joueurs
Tactical
U20 - U16
In an 8v8 setup with one team playing without a goalkeeper, your players practice counterattacking and pressing with a numerical advantage, as well as maintaining possession under opponent pressing....
Warm-up: pressing, constrained play and counter

Warm-up: pressing, constrained play and counter

15 min
12-18 joueurs
Warm-up
U20 - Seniors
Ideal exercise for practicing pressing and playing under pressure, as well as triggering a counterattack upon ball recovery....
Attacking transition and game awareness

Attacking transition and game awareness

15 min
10-14 joueurs
Tactical
U19 - U17
By alternating pressing and recovery with ball retention and circulation, your players work on attacking transitions and their game awareness....

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U20 Defensive recovery / Tracking back soccer drills

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  2. Defensive transition of Pep Guardiola in an 8vs7 with 4 supports
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U20 Endurance soccer drills

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U20 Explosive strength soccer drills

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U20 Fun Game soccer drills

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U20 Gaps soccer drills

  1. Building the Attack: Movement and Finding Open Space
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U20 Motor skills soccer drills

  1. Pass, dribble, cross, and near-post off-the-ball run
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U20 Offensive combinations soccer drills

  1. Jurgen Klopp's offensive combination with a double cross in front of the goal
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U20 Overload soccer drills

  1. Jurgen Klopp's possession play with use of the weak side
  2. 11v11 opposition with 2v1 scenarios on the wide areas
  3. Warm-up: Possession with numerical advantage and defensive pressing
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U20 Passes soccer drills

  1. 6v6 possession game with 2 neutral players and shooting on small goals
  2. Passing circuit followed by shooting on 2 colored mini goals
  3. Mr. Bielsa: working on lateral-winger automatisms with a passing circuit
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U20 Positional play soccer drills

  1. Small-sided game in 3v3 with neutral side supports and quick shooting
  2. Possession play and defensive-attacking transition with players providing support
  3. 6v6 possession game with 2 neutral players and shooting on small goals
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U20 Possession soccer drills

  1. Luis Enrique: possession play in 10v10 across 6 zones
  2. 7v7 Possession Game with 3 Neutral Players and Gate Passes
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U20 Pressing soccer drills

  1. Ralf Rangnick's Possession Game to Work on Transitions
  2. Possession game in 4 zones with mandatory switch of play
  3. Recovery and Switch of Play in an 8v8 on 2 Zones
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U20 Rondos soccer drills

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  3. Possession game in 2 zones with role change
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U20 Scanning soccer drills

  1. Attacking-defensive transition of Mikel Arteta in a 4v2
  2. Unai Emery's Technical Circuit: Warm-up and Game Awareness
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U20 Shooting soccer drills

  1. Jurgen Klopp's offensive combination with a double cross in front of the goal
  2. Layoff in one-touch play and timing of the final pass in the Spanish national team
  3. Quick Attacks Against a Team Defending in a Low Block (5v5)
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U20 Support soccer drills

  1. 3v3: shooting with outside support and delayed runs
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U20 Transition soccer drills

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U20 Using width soccer drills

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