Counter Side-On Duel

Objective

• -Win the ball while running alongside an attacker
• -Use the body legally to gain the inside line
• -Choose the moment to commit

Setup

1. 1A narrow channel with a mini goal at the far end in a 26 x 16 yards area.
2. 2Place two mini goals on the halfway line for the counter-attacking side to aim at.
3. 3Balls at the start line, bibs for defenders.

How to play

1. 1Attacker and defender start side by side and race for a served ball.
2. 2The defender must get a shoulder in front and win possession legally.
3. 3Roles swap on every rep.
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

• -Pulling or holding the attacker
• -Diving in from behind
• -Dribbling into traffic when the counter is on