3v2 with Sprints | Attacking Decisions & Defensive Recovery Training

Overview

• Who this drill is for

Great for teams from U-12 all the way up to adults who want to sharpen attacking decision-making and defensive recovery speed at the same time.

• What you’ll need

A third of the field, plus cones (two on each side to make gates)

• Number of players

11 (one group = 3 attackers, 2 defenders; the rest wait their turn)

Objectives

• What you’re after on attack

With numbers short, players learn to read the moment fast and get on the move quickly to create goals.

• What you’re after on defense

Build quick recovery after a goal or a turnover, plus the sprint fitness to reset and go again right away.

• The big picture

Sharpen the focus and burst of speed players need the instant the game flips from attack to defense.

Setup

A defender starts it off by playing a pass into one of the attackers. From there you run the 3v2 over and over, so players train the transition moments in a game-realistic way.

1）One of the two defenders passes in to one of the three attackers

2）The three attackers get on the move right away, break down the two defenders, and go for a shot on goal

3）If the attackers score: both defenders sprint back flat out, run through the gates on each side, then get back into their defensive spots

4）If the attackers don’t score: the defenders still sprint back the same way and get set for the next rep

5）Rotate players in and keep it going so everyone gets a turn on both attack and defense