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Counter-Press Box: Five Second Counter-Press

Win the ball back immediately after losing it

Pressing
Transition
Possession
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Counter-Press Box: Five Second Counter-Press is a 16-minute pressing drill for 8-16 players, suitable for Under 10 to Adults at intermediate, advanced level. You need balls, cones, bibs. Below you will find the objective, the set-up, how to run it, coaching points, common mistakes, progressions, regressions and variations.

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Pressing
Transition
Possession
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Advanced
Full Squad
Minimal Equipment
Youth Friendly
Adult Suitable
Counter Press

Duration

16 min

Players

8-16

Pitch size

25 x 25 yards

Ability levels

Intermediate / Advanced

Pitch diagram

Pitch set-up: Counter-Press Box: Five Second Counter-Press1225 x 25 yards

Counter-Press Box: Five Second Counter-Press — 4 gates — score by travelling through · 25 x 25 yards

Step 1 of 4Teams keep possession and score by passing through a gate.

  1. 1. Teams keep possession and score by passing through a gate.
  2. 2. On losing the ball the team counter-presses instantly.
  3. 3. Rounds of two minutes.
  4. 4. On losing the ball the team has five seconds to win it back before dropping into shape.
  • Cones mark the area
  • Cone gates to dribble / pass through
  • Ball
  • Solid arrow = pass, thick = shot, dashed = run / dribble

Objectives

  • -Win the ball back immediately after losing it
  • -React within five seconds
  • -Surround the ball as a group

Setup

  1. 1A 25 yard square with four target gates.
  2. 2Two teams of four with one ball.
  3. 3Extra balls on the outside for restarts.

Coaching instructions

  1. 1Teams keep possession and score by passing through a gate.
  2. 2On losing the ball the team counter-presses instantly.
  3. 3Rounds of two minutes.
  4. 4On losing the ball the team has five seconds to win it back before dropping into shape.

Coaching points

  • -Nearest player closes the ball in a heartbeat
  • -Others cut the nearest passing options
  • -Body shape ready before the ball is lost
  • -Nearest player presses the ball instantly
  • -Others screen the forward pass and squeeze up

Common mistakes

  • -Dropping off after losing the ball
  • -One player pressing alone
  • -Standing and complaining after a turnover

Where this drill fits

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