Counter Reaction Sprint Pairs

Objective

• -Sharpen reaction speed off a cue
• -Develop the first three steps
• -Add a football action after the sprint

Setup

1. 1Pairs facing each other over a start line with a target 15 yards away in a 28 x 16 yards area.
2. 2Place two mini goals on the halfway line for the counter-attacking side to aim at.
3. 3Balls on the target line.

How to play

1. 1Coach cue releases one player to sprint and the other to chase.
2. 2The winner takes a touch and finishes at the target.
3. 3Alternate who starts as the chaser.
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 tall on the first step
• -Too many reps without rest
• -Dribbling into traffic when the counter is on