Possession & Counter-Pressing | Win the Ball, Then Flip Straight into Defense

Overview

• Six players work as the possession side, keeping the ball away from four defenders.
• Four players play as defenders and go hunting for the ball.
• Two players act as support, backing up the attacking side.
• Run it in a compact 30m x 30m area.

Objectives

• Sharpen the possession side’s focus and tighten up their ball control in small spaces.
• Train players to press the instant they lose it and shut down the counter fast.
• Cut the time it takes to switch between attack and defense so it holds up in a real match.
• Build calm decision-making for defenders the moment they win it back, and crank up the attacking side’s pressing intensity.

Setup

The possession side moves the ball to get away from the defenders, and the second they lose it, they press right away to win it back.

１）The six attackers keep the ball moving so the four defenders can’t take it.

２）The moment a defender wins the ball, all six attackers press together and win it straight back.

３）The two support players give the attackers an outlet when they’re stuck and help keep possession alive.

４）Swap the attacking and defending roles every 3-5 minutes so everyone plays both.