Tackling
Side-On Tackling Channel: Five Second Counter-Press
Win the ball while running alongside
Tackling
Defending
Speed & Agility
Side-On Tackling Channel: Five Second Counter-Press is a 14-minute tackling drill for 4-16 players, suitable for Under 10 to Adults at beginner, 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.
Back to drill libraryTackling
Defending
Speed & Agility
Skill Practice
Beginner
Intermediate
Advanced
Full Squad
Minimal Equipment
Youth Friendly
Adult Suitable
Pressing
Counter Press
Transition
Duration
14 min
Players
4-16
Pitch size
20 x 8 yard channel
Ability levels
Beginner / Intermediate / Advanced
Objectives
- -Win the ball while running alongside
- -Choose the right moment to tackle
- -Stay on the feet
Setup
- 1A long narrow channel with a target line at the end.
- 2Attacker and defender start side by side.
- 3Balls at the start of the channel.
Coaching instructions
- 1Attacker runs the channel, defender runs alongside and tackles when the touch is heavy.
- 2Defender scores by winning it and stopping the ball.
- 3Swap after each rep.
- 4On losing the ball the team has five seconds to win it back before dropping into shape.
Coaching points
- -Match the attacker's pace before tackling
- -Tackle on their heavy touch
- -Use the near foot and keep balance
- -Nearest player presses the ball instantly
- -Others screen the forward pass and squeeze up
Common mistakes
- -Tackling from behind
- -Getting shoulder to shoulder too late
- -Going to ground unnecessarily