Team Shape
Shadow Play Shape Work: Five Second Counter-Press
Rehearse the team's attacking shape
Team Shape
Passing
Attacking
Shadow Play Shape Work: Five Second Counter-Press is a 18-minute team shape drill for 8-20 players, suitable for Under 11 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
Passing
Attacking
Skill Practice
Intermediate
Advanced
Full Squad
Minimal Equipment
Youth Friendly
Adult Suitable
Pressing
Counter Press
Transition
Duration
18 min
Players
8-20
Pitch size
Full or three-quarter pitch
Ability levels
Intermediate / Advanced
Pitch diagram
Shadow Play Shape Work: Five Second Counter-Press — Marked area · Full or three-quarter pitch
Step 1 of 4Team moves the ball through the thirds unopposed following set patterns.
- 1. Team moves the ball through the thirds unopposed following set patterns.
- 2. Coach freezes play to check positions.
- 3. Build up to walk, jog then match pace.
- 4. On losing the ball the team has five seconds to win it back before dropping into shape.
- Cones mark the area
- Dashed lines = zones / thirds
- Ball
- Solid arrow = pass, thick = shot, dashed = run / dribble
Objectives
- -Rehearse the team's attacking shape
- -Understand individual roles in possession
- -Move the ball with the shape intact
Setup
- 1Mark the shape's key positions with cones on the pitch.
- 2Team lines up in the chosen formation.
- 3Mannequins or poles as passive opponents.
Coaching instructions
- 1Team moves the ball through the thirds unopposed following set patterns.
- 2Coach freezes play to check positions.
- 3Build up to walk, jog then match pace.
- 4On losing the ball the team has five seconds to win it back before dropping into shape.
Coaching points
- -Hold the width and depth of the shape
- -Every player has an angle to the ball
- -Rotate only when covered
- -Nearest player presses the ball instantly
- -Others screen the forward pass and squeeze up
Common mistakes
- -Drifting out of position
- -Players in the same line
- -Ball speed too slow