Attacking
Counter Attack Waves: Restart Realism
Attack quickly on the counter
Attacking
Transition
Finishing
Counter Attack Waves: Restart Realism is a 20-minute attacking drill for 8-20 players, suitable for Under 10 to Adults at beginner, intermediate, advanced level. You need balls, cones, bibs, full 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 libraryAttacking
Transition
Finishing
Skill Practice
Beginner
Intermediate
Advanced
Full Squad
Youth Friendly
Adult Suitable
Goals Needed
Set Pieces
Game Realistic
Organisation
Duration
20 min
Players
8-20
Pitch size
Full pitch or three-quarters
Ability levels
Beginner / Intermediate / Advanced
Pitch diagram
Counter Attack Waves: Restart Realism — 4v4 small-sided game · Full pitch or three-quarters
Step 1 of 4Keeper starts the counter to a wave of three attackers against two defenders.
- 1. Keeper starts the counter to a wave of three attackers against two defenders.
- 2. On a regain the defenders counter the other way against the next wave.
- 3. Continuous for ten minutes.
- 4. All restarts are played as in a match — throw-ins, goal kicks and corners rather than a coach ball.
- Cones mark the area
- Full goals at each end
- GK = goalkeepers
- Ball
- Blue v dark — score in the opposite goal
- Solid arrow = pass, thick = shot, dashed = run / dribble
Objectives
- -Attack quickly on the counter
- -Support the break at speed
- -Finish before the defence recovers
Setup
- 1Goals at both ends with keepers.
- 2Waves of three attackers queued at halfway.
- 3Balls with each keeper.
Coaching instructions
- 1Keeper starts the counter to a wave of three attackers against two defenders.
- 2On a regain the defenders counter the other way against the next wave.
- 3Continuous for ten minutes.
- 4All restarts are played as in a match — throw-ins, goal kicks and corners rather than a coach ball.
Coaching points
- -First pass forward and positive
- -Sprint to support the ball carrier
- -Finish first time when the chance is on
- -Shape up quickly on every restart
- -Talk to organise before the ball is live
Common mistakes
- -Slow first pass
- -Attackers running in straight lines
- -Overplaying near the box