Counter Four Zone Keep Ball

Objective

• -Keep possession while moving the ball between zones
• -Create numerical advantages in each zone
• -Coach when to keep and when to progress

Setup

1. 1A square split into four equal zones in a 38 x 34 yards area.
2. 2Place two mini goals on the halfway line for the counter-attacking side to aim at.
3. 3Balls with the coach, two sets of bibs.

How to play

1. 1The team in possession must complete three passes before changing zone.
2. 2A zone change scores one point.
3. 3Defenders press with limited numbers per zone.
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

• -Everybody in the ball zone
• -Forcing the zone change too early
• -Dribbling into traffic when the counter is on