Counter-pressing 7v7 towards one goal against two with a 15 m line
Half a pitch with one full-size goal at one end and two at the other: reds build and attack the single goal; blues defend and, on winning the ball, counter towards either of the two goals, shooting only after crossing the 15 m line, which gives the red counter-press time to act.
El portero inicia con el 2; los rojos construyen hacia la portería única con un jugador por detrás del balón.
Objective
Prepare and execute the counter-press: occupy space well in attack so the ball carrier can be pressed the moment the ball is lost and, if that is not possible, close the passing lines to stop the counter-attack progressing.
Organisation
Half a pitch. A full-size goal with a keeper on the goal line; on the halfway line, two full-size goals with a keeper each, about 25 m apart. A 15 m line coned off in front of the two goals. Red team of seven and blue team of seven in bibs; offside applies. Balls in all three goals.
Development
- 1One of the keepers in the double goals starts with a pass to a red defender; reds build and attack the single goal.
- 2Blues defend and, on winning the ball, counter towards either of the two goals: the one on the side where they regained is the quickest. They may only shoot after crossing the 15 m line.
- 3Reds counter-press the moment they lose the ball: the nearest player presses the carrier and the rest close the forward passing lines so blues cannot cross the 15 m line.
- 4If reds regain they attack the single goal again, once only; if they lose it again the sequence ends and restarts from the keeper.
- 5Six-minute sets swapping the two teams' roles; scoring: red goal 1 point, blue goal after a counter 2 points, red regain before the 15 m line 1 point.
Coaching points4
- While attacking, reds keep short distances and one player behind the ball: that is the preparation for the counter-press.
- On losing the ball, press the carrier immediately and from the side that forces play wide.
- If the ball cannot be pressed, close the vertical passing line and protect the middle.
- Blues, after the regain, pick the goal on the side of the regain and play the first pass forward.
Common mistakes3
- Reds attacking with all seven ahead of the ball and nobody to counter-press.
- Pressing the carrier without closing the pass: the blue escapes the press with a ball into space.
- Blues shooting before crossing the 15 m line and voiding the action.
Variations3
- Allow reds a single switch of play per possession.
- No back-pass to the keeper for the reds, as in the original progression.
- Remove the 15 m line with higher-level players so the counter-press is even more urgent.
Progressions2
- Count 5 seconds for the regain after a loss: if it does not come, blue point even without a goal.
- Reds attack with a 7v6 overload and blues counter with an attacking joker.
Regressions2
- 8v6 in favour of the reds to help the build-up.
- No offside.
Tips
- Make clear that the goal on the side of the regain is the reference: it stops blues over-complicating with switches.
- All three keepers need balls to restart within two seconds.