Team Shape
Formation Switch Practice: Five Second Counter-Press
Change shape in and out of possession
Team Shape
Transition
Formation Switch Practice: Five Second Counter-Press is a 20-minute team shape drill for 10-20 players, suitable for Under 13 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.
Back to drill libraryTeam Shape
Transition
Skill Practice
Intermediate
Advanced
Full Squad
Minimal Equipment
Adult Suitable
Pressing
Counter Press
Duration
20 min
Players
10-20
Pitch size
Full pitch
Ability levels
Intermediate / Advanced
Objectives
- -Change shape in and out of possession
- -Understand the triggers to switch
- -Keep the team connected during the change
Setup
- 1Two shapes marked out in different coloured cones.
- 2Full team in position with a coach cue.
- 3Balls with the coach on the sideline.
Coaching instructions
- 1On the coach's call the team switches between the in-possession and out-of-possession shape.
- 2Coach plays a ball in to test the new shape.
- 3Repeat ten times with feedback.
- 4On losing the ball the team has five seconds to win it back before dropping into shape.
Coaching points
- -Know your position in both shapes
- -Switch as the ball travels
- -Communicate the change loudly
- -Nearest player presses the ball instantly
- -Others screen the forward pass and squeeze up
Common mistakes
- -Slow reactions to the cue
- -Players unsure of the second shape
- -Losing compactness in the change