Counter Near Post Glide

Objective

• -Attack the near post with conviction
• -Redirect fast service into the goal
• -Coach the movement that loses a marker

Setup

1. 1A near-post run channel marked with two cones in a 36 x 30 yards area.
2. 2Place two mini goals on the halfway line for the counter-attacking side to aim at.
3. 3Balls with the wide server, keeper in goal.

How to play

1. 1Server drives the ball low across the six-yard box.
2. 2Striker times a bent run to meet it at the near post.
3. 3Second striker holds the back post for anything missed.
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

• -Standing on the goal line
• -Trying to power a fast ball
• -Dribbling into traffic when the counter is on