Blues play 4-4-2 with two sitting midfield players (team I'm coaching), reds play 4-4-2. Ask the reds to be direct as possible, get them to play through us. Both teams if the counter is on go for it. The art of counter attacking as a team is to try and exploit the opposition as quickly as possible when you gain possession of the ball. This is because the opposition will be on the back foot, less comanised and therefore more vulnerable. Start with the keeper then coach the rest of the team.

Reds have a corner. Set the defence up, decide who goes forward and how many. Do you play zonal marking or man for man at corners, its your decision- which system works best for the counter attack ? What system do you prefer to defend corners with, will it work with counter attack play.

Diagram 1

The keeper catches the ball from the corner. How far can your keeper throw the ball ? how accurate is he ? How far can he kick the ball ? how accurate is he? Has he good vision and does he make correct decisions ? If you haven't already stop play and work on his throws and kicks from the goal line and the edge of the area. Now we know how far and how accurate he is we can work on movement and players offering support. How do your forwards like to receive the ball ? To feet, chest or to run onto ? Can your keeper deliver these passes ?

• Observation of defenders and attackers. Knowledge of players and where the opposition can be exploited.
• Timing of distribution. Early when first gaining possession or running to the edge of the area for more distance and accuracy.
• Supporting runs. Pre-arranged runs as In diagram 1 and runs of team-mates to give the goalkeeper the best options
  Player 1. As soon as the corner is taken he sprints forward. Player 4 would therefore pull off to the other side of the pitch giving player 1 space to run into.
  Players 2 or 3. Generally players are drawn to the ball so the space occurs on the opposite side of the pitch. Can you work it so one of these players sprint as soon as the keeper has safe possession. Assess the flight of the ball, can you go earlier if your not marking ? Player 4 might run as above to give them space to run into.
• Decision of Keeper. Is someone in a better position. First look if furthest forward, then midfield and then short.
• Technique to throw or kick. Javelin or over arm lob. Volley or half volley.
• Decision of feet or space. To space to keep momentum, to feet to the furthest forward, can we run off him.
• Quality of distribution. Weight, timing, accuracy and disguise.
• Height of distribution. Do we need to clear defenders, certain kicking techniques e.g. Bartez give a long distance with a low kick.
• Support. In advance of the ball, behind the ball and around the ball.
• Goalkeeper supporting the defence. Look at shape of defence and the keepers position as play moves forward.
  

The winger crosses into the goalkeeper.

The move

• Goalkeeper if you win it look for where the numbers are.
• The left midfielder tracks the oppositions' wide midfield player back towards the penalty box.
• The defending left full back should now communicate and track him into the box leaving the left midfielder free on the edge of the box
• When the goalkeeper get the ball the left midfielder should look to sprint forward ( He should not worry so much about width. He should try to get forward as quick as possible.).
• The goalkeepers first look is forward and then into midfield where he has an option to throw the ball for the left midfielder to run onto.
• The two forwards should take the defenders away from the space the left midfielder wants to run in. They should get on the back shoulders of the defenders and look to threaten behind.
• Midfield players should now support and the defence should be balanced if the move breaks down.

• Goalkeeper if you win it look for where the numbers are.
• The left midfielder has not tracked back
• When the goalkeeper get the ball the left midfielder should look to sprint forward ( He should not worry so much about width. He should try to get forward as quick as possible.).
• The goalkeepers first look is forward and then into midfield where he has an option to throw the ball for the left midfielder to run onto.
• The two forwards should take the defenders away from the space the left midfielder wants to run in. They should get on the back shoulders of the defenders and look to threaten behind.
• Midfield players should now support and the defence should be balanced if the move breaks down.

• The goalkeepers first look is forward.
• The two forwards should work together to create space. The first move should be in the opposite direction to where they want to receive the ball.
• If they move first towards the ball and the defender tracks them then the keeper should look to play the ball over his head for him to turn and run onto (1).
• If he moves away and comes short the keeper should look to play it to feet (2).
• The keeper should be aware of the space in front, to the sides and over the forwards. A good knowledge of how the player likes to receive the ball is also important e.g. to feet, to run onto, to chest or to flick on with his head.
• Midfield players should now support and the defence should be balanced if the move breaks down.

In a 4-3-3 formation

• The centre forward is marked by two players so exploiting space behind is limited
• His first move should be away from the ball to beable to create the space to receive at feet (2).
• The nearest midfield player must support the ball as soon as possible.
• The two wide forwards should move first towards the ball and then turn and exploit the space behind to run onto.
• Either the goalkeeper or the supporting midfield player can now play them in.
• The centre forward should spin and look to support the wide men.

• Playing with the withdrawn forward who plays in the midfield hole (1).
• Here he gives opposite movement and comes short to receive the ball to feet.
• The defender has to make the decision how far does he track the striker. If he is not tight enough the forward can turn. If he is too tight the forward can combine with a midfield player and spin off.
• Players 2 and 3 look to support.
• Player 1 passes to player 2 and spins off.

The red winger gets past the full back and crosses the ball in. Set the defence in realistic positions. Keepers options as above. This time there is nothing on. Don't force it and give the ball away. Spread out side to side and end to end. The goalkeeper cannot play forward so can we support him with width (fullbacks) and options in midfield (one come short, wide men hug the line). If the Keeper can only kick it long can we compact space where the ball is going. Can we have a signal for where the ball is going. Practice a couple of kicks and work on supporting angles and distance. (see playing out from the back)

Starting Position 3

The blue centre midield player passes over the top into the corner of the pitch. If we have numbers then we can go and press, we can stop them coming out. What does the picture tell you, has the defender turned if not, step them in and squeeze the life out of them. Squeeze as a unit. If it goes into the keeper or they get comfortable possession, then we can drop off. The critical thing is patience, drop right off to the centre line, compact play, give them no where to go so they have to force play. We are looking for depth, so the starting position for the defenders is the edge of the semi circle.

Player Responsibilities Player 1. Only applies token pressure. Don't make him run doggies. Get him to stand between defenders so he is always free and available if we win the ball back. Don't drop a gut ! Try to find space between defenders. Only press if you have a chance of winning the ball. Player 3. The forward on the opposite side to the ball or the chosen forward drops back into midfield so we have more compactness. Player 2. The pressure comes when they get in our half ! But everybody has a job to do. The wide midfield player has to get himself in line. Don't worry if he is 20 yards away. Make it difficult if he is going to play one over the top. He starts to press when the full back comes over the halfway line. Then he blocks him off and shows him inside. Now the full back can think, I can get the ball behind or I can intercept it square. Send him into the pack

Centre Midfielders. When the ball comes inside they work together in a triangle. It may be this shape

You are hunting as a pack. One player presses the other two support, or maybe you like two pressing ? The midfield players should sit 5-10 yards in front of the defenders/backline. As the ball moves across the pitch everyone must slide across to keep our shape. Don't let the midfield players drop too deep. The midfield must screen the central area in front of the centre backs. Stop runs and be alert for interceptions.
Defenders. Drop deep, look for interceptions , if you nick it is there a forward pass on ?
Goalkeeper. Your starting position is critical. You must be in a position not to be beaten by a shot and if a throw ball comes you are first to it.

1. Speedy decision making. Is there a forward pass on. Don't hang about
   
2. Move the ball forward as early as possible:
   Pass
   Direct to/for front players. Can you pass it straight through them to run onto. Get them turned. If you put a bit of pace on the ball the forward may be able to turn or spin off the defender.
   To 'launch' close support. Set up, hold and shield the ball.
   To break free of pressure, one touch and combo play. Be clever in the attacking 3rd. One-two's and take overs.
   Running with the ball. Run with the ball-at spaces, at defenders.
   Dribble
   
3. Support.
   Players ahead of the ball.
   Attack the back of the defence
   Attack the spaces between defenders
   Make forward passes possible. Can you come short. Can you set up a support player. Hold and shield the ball.
   Those around the ball
   Early support positions
   Move 'past' opponents
   Support the forward play momentum.
   Those behind the ball
   Move forward
   Slide across to be a pass receiver or to compact play
4. Compact Team. Coach the team to move up where are they needed if the move breaks down.
5. Momentum. Keep the ball moving.
6. Safety. Two centre midfield players sit in case the move breaks down.
   

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