Transition

Four Goal Transition Game

Attack immediately in the five seconds after a turnover

Transition

Attacking

Pressing

Four Goal Transition Game is a 16-minute transition drill for 8-16 players, suitable for Under 10 to Adults at intermediate, advanced level. You need balls, cones, mini goals, 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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Transition

Attacking

Pressing

Small-Sided Game

Intermediate

Advanced

Full Squad

Youth Friendly

Adult Suitable

Goals Needed

Counter Attack

Duration

16 min

Players

8-16

Pitch size

35 x 25 yards

Ability levels

Intermediate / Advanced

Pitch diagram

Four Goal Transition Game — 4v4 small-sided game · 35 x 25 yards

Step 1 of 3Normal rules attacking two goals each.

1. Normal rules attacking two goals each.
2. Whenever the ball goes out the coach serves instantly to the team that did not touch it last.
3. Play four blocks of three minutes.

Cones mark the area
Mini goals at each end
GK = goalkeepers
Ball
Blue v dark — score in the opposite goal
C = coach / server
Solid arrow = pass, thick = shot, dashed = run / dribble

Objectives

-Attack immediately in the five seconds after a turnover
-Recover shape fast when the ball is lost
-Make decisions at match speed

Setup

1A 35 x 25 pitch with two mini goals on each end line.
2Two even teams, keepers optional.
3Balls in all four corners for instant restarts.

Coaching instructions

1Normal rules attacking two goals each.
2Whenever the ball goes out the coach serves instantly to the team that did not touch it last.
3Play four blocks of three minutes.

Coaching points

-First pass forward when the ball turns over
-Nearest player presses instantly, others recover
-Attack the goal the defence has left open

Common mistakes

-Stopping to appeal for a foul
-Slow first pass on the counter
-Whole team chasing after a turnover

Equipment needed

Balls

Cones

Mini Goals

Bibs

Age groups

Under 10

Under 11

Under 12

Under 13

Under 14

Under 15

Under 16

Adults

Progressions

+Switch To Score: two switches before scoring
+Five Second Counter-Press: three seconds to win it back
+Target Zone Bonus: only goals started from a pocket count
+Add a competitive scoreline for the last round

Regressions

-Switch To Score: switch earns a bonus point rather than being compulsory
-Five Second Counter-Press: eight seconds and fewer opponents
-Target Zone Bonus: widen the pocket zones
-Simplify the area or the service until success returns

Variations

-Switch To Score — A goal only counts after the ball has been switched from one side of the pitch to the other.
-Five Second Counter-Press — On losing the ball the team has five seconds to win it back before dropping into shape.
-Target Zone Bonus — Extra points for playing into marked pockets between the lines before finishing.
-Overload Rotation — One team plays with an extra player for two minutes then the overload rotates.
-Restart Realism — All restarts are played as in a match — throw-ins, goal kicks and corners rather than a coach ball.
-Two-Goal Decision — Each team attacks two small goals, so defenders must decide which threat to cover.
-Limited Touch Build-Up — Maximum three touches in your own half, unlimited once you pass the halfway line.
-Flip the practice to the opposite side of the pitch