Counter Ball Interval Fitness

Objective

• -Build football-specific endurance with the ball
• -Repeat high-intensity efforts with proper recovery
• -Keep technique clean when tired

Setup

1. 1A shuttle course with cones at 5, 10 and 15 yards in a 36 x 21 yards area.
2. 2Place two mini goals on the halfway line for the counter-attacking side to aim at.
3. 3One ball per player.

How to play

1. 1Players dribble out and back to each cone in turn as one rep.
2. 2Work for 30 seconds then rest for 60 seconds.
3. 3Six reps in total with a longer break at halfway.
4. 4The team in possession starts each rep in their own half and must build forwards.
5. 5Turnovers earn a direct counter at the mini goals worth two points.

Progressions

• +Counter must be finished inside five seconds
• +Raise the demand once the group is consistently successful

Regressions

• -Award the counter goal for simply carrying over halfway
• -Simplify the area or the service until success returns

Variations

• -Swap the counter goals for a dribble-through gate
• -Run the practice on the opposite side of the pitch

Common mistakes

• -Pacing the work interval
• -Cutting the rest short
• -Dribbling into traffic when the counter is on