Counter Back-to-Goal Receiving

Objective

• -Hold the ball up with a defender behind
• -Decide between setting, spinning or turning
• -Link the striker to runners from midfield

Setup

1. 1A central receiving zone in front of a goal in a 36 x 28 yards area.
2. 2Place two mini goals on the halfway line for the counter-attacking side to aim at.
3. 3Balls at the midfield start cone, bibs for defenders.

How to play

1. 1Midfielder passes into the striker who has a defender behind them.
2. 2Striker either sets the ball back or spins in behind.
3. 3The move finishes with a strike on goal.
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 still waiting for the pass
• -Taking a touch straight into the defender
• -Dribbling into traffic when the counter is on