Transition
Two-Touch Wave Attack Transition
Defend repeated waves of attack
Transition
Attacking
Defending
Premium
Defend repeated waves of attack. Set up the area, follow the steps and use the coaching points below.
Back to drill libraryTransition
Attacking
Defending
Skill Practice
Intermediate
Advanced
Full Squad
Youth Friendly
Adult Suitable
Goals Needed
Two Touch
Age
Under 10 to Adults
Duration
20 min
Players
8-20
Area / pitch size
45 x 34 yards
Difficulty
Intermediate / Advanced
Equipment
Balls, Cones, Bibs, Full Goals
Coaching focus
Defend repeated waves of attack
Objective
- -Defend repeated waves of attack
- -Attack quickly against a settling defence
- -Build game-realistic repetition
Setup
- 1A half pitch with attacking waves waiting on halfway in a 45 x 34 yards area.
- 2Place a marker at every receiving position so players know where to set the ball before it arrives.
- 3Balls with each wave, keeper in goal, two sets of bibs.
How to play
- 1The first wave attacks the defenders and the goal.
- 2The moment the ball is dead the next wave attacks immediately.
- 3Defenders stay on for three waves before rotating.
- 4Ball enters from the coach and the first receiver is on two touches from that moment.
- 5Count completed sequences under the touch limit — best of three 3-minute rounds.
Coaching points
- -Defenders reset the line between waves
- -Attackers strike before the defence is set
- -Communicate the new picture every wave
- -First touch out of the feet and into the direction of the next pass
Progressions
- +Drop the central players to one touch
- +Raise the demand once the group is consistently successful
Regressions
- -Allow three touches while the picture is being learned
- -Simplify the area or the service until success returns
Variations
- -Two touches in your own half, free touches in the final third
- -Run the practice on the opposite side of the pitch
Common mistakes
- -Waves waiting too long
- -Defenders not resetting shape
- -Taking a settling touch that kills the tempo
Related Football Drills & Sessions
- More football transition drills
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- Football drills for U16s
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