Pressing
Transition Counter Press Box
Win the ball back within seconds of losing it
Pressing
Transition
Possession
Transition Counter Press Box is a 20-minute pressing drill for 8-16 players, suitable for Under 11 to Adults at intermediate, advanced level. You need balls, cones, bibs, mini goals. Below you will find the objective, the set-up, how to run it, coaching points, common mistakes, progressions, regressions and variations.
Back to drill libraryPressing
Transition
Possession
Small-Sided Game
Intermediate
Advanced
Full Squad
Youth Friendly
Adult Suitable
Goals Needed
Duration
20 min
Players
8-16
Pitch size
36 x 30 yards
Ability levels
Intermediate / Advanced
Objectives
- -Win the ball back within seconds of losing it
- -Coach the reaction of the closest players
- -Prevent the opposition's first forward pass
Setup
- 1A compact box with mini goals at each end in a 36 x 30 yards area.
- 2Mark a second target area at the opposite end so the practice can flip direction instantly.
- 3Balls with the coach, two sets of bibs.
Coaching instructions
- 1Normal small-sided rules with a six-second counter-press window.
- 2Winning the ball back inside six seconds scores a point.
- 3If the window passes, the team must drop into shape.
- 4Coach serves a loose ball into the middle and both teams react to win it.
- 5On every turnover the winning team has six seconds to attack the opposite target.
Coaching points
- -Nearest player presses instantly
- -Block the forward pass first
- -Recognise when to stop pressing and drop
- -First reaction after the turnover decides the moment — forward or secure
Common mistakes
- -Standing and complaining after losing the ball
- -Everybody pressing the same player
- -Stopping to appeal instead of reacting to the turnover
Where this drill fits
- More football pressing drills
- More football transition drills
- More football possession drills
- football drills for U12s
- football drills for U14s
- football drills for U16s
- Football session plans built around this theme