Build-Up & Counter-Press | 5v3 Combo Session

Overview

• Players who need to make sharper decisions while keeping the ball
• Players looking to speed up their reactions in the counter-press
• Players who need to stay calm and read the game through attack-to-defense transitions
• Any time you want players who can move without hesitating when situation after situation keeps popping up

Objectives

• Sharpen build-up play so your players stay patient, move the ball cleanly, and keep stacking up goals
• Speed up reactions so players jump on the ball the moment it’s won and get a shot off fast
• Get players regrouping quickly after winning it back so the team can hold shape under pressure
• Repeat the attack-to-defense switch over and over until players find the rhythm between reading and reacting

Setup

Set up a 20m x 20m grid with five attackers against three defenders. Keep two more attackers on standby along the sidelines.

1）The five attackers start on the ball and earn a point by stringing together a set number of passes (say, five)

2）The three defenders try to win the ball, and once they’ve got it they go for one of four mini-goals placed around the outside of the grid

3）The moment the attackers lose the ball, the two players waiting on the sidelines step into the middle zone right away to make it 3v3

4）That way a 3v1 counter flips fast into a 3v3, so players live a realistic attack-to-defense switch

5）Rotate attackers and defenders on a timer, or once a team hits the target points