Defending well, staying compact, preventing the opponent from creating chances – these are all vital for success in soccer! On winning possession, what is your strategy? Do you want possession-based football, fast transitions forward, long-balls, short passing game? This will depend on your players, ability, tactics, opponent, moment in game, etc.

Transitions to Attack helps to develop your team’s understanding and ability to quickly transition from a defensive posture to attack.

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Transitions to Attack

1. TRANSITIONS TO ATTACK

Setup:

10 players divided into 2 teams of 5. 2 grids with mini-goals at each end as shown. Setup is replicated to accommodate other squad members.

Instructions:

Play starts with a pass from the Coach (C) to either team; one player for the ‘defending’ team must remain in the opposite grid – this creates a 5v4 advantage for the team in possession. Possession team can score by – (1) 10 completed passes or (2) scoring in mini-goals.

Emphasis is on the 4 players defending compactly, winning possession and transitioning to their Target player (9); on passing to (9), all players must quickly transition to support. Transition team can score in mini-goals after completing 2 passes.

*If extra player available – can add ‘Floater’ who plays for team in possession.

Coaching Points:

• Defending team:
  • Compact and aggressive – pressure on ball
  • Communication – constant organisation
  • On gaining possession first look must be to Target player – think “transition”
• Possession Team:
  • Quick ball circulation and movement.

2.  TRANSITION TO ATTACK

Setup:

10 players divided into 2 teams of 5. 2 grids with mini-goals at each end as shown. Setup is replicated to accommodate other squad members.

Instructions:

Player (11) has intercepted the pass and immediately passes forward to Target (9).

Coaching Points:

• Defending team:
  • Compact and aggressive – pressure on ball
  • Communication – constant organisation
  • On gaining possession first look must be to Target player – think “transition”
• Possession Team:
  • Quick ball circulation and movement.

3.  DEFEND + TRANSITION TO ATTACK

Setup:

Grid approx – 35x40m.  2 Teams of 10 players organised in their positions.  RED team has 2 Central Defenders outside the shaded area – they can only enter to apply pressure after Black (9 or 11) receive the ball.

The Central grid is an 8v4 advantage for the Red team.  Black Central Defenders (4,5) and Fullbacks (2,3) remain on perimeter of grid.

Instructions:

Plays starts with a pass from the Coach to the RED team. RED team has an 8v4 advantage in the central grid – goals are scored by (1) 15 consecutive passes, or (2) scoring in opponents mini-goals.

Emphasis is on the BLACK team defending, gaining possession and immediately transitioning forward. Forwards (9 + 11) are positioned in a free zone to receive forward / vertical passes – after they touch the ball, opponent Central Defenders become ‘live’. RED team scores in any of the 3 mini-goals.

*If unable to transition immediately – be patient and maintain possession

Games 3-4 minutes – Change roles after each game.

Coaching Points:

• Defending team:
  • Pressure on ball in central area: 4 Midfield players must work as a unit to force errors / win possession
  • Communication – constant organisation
  • On gaining possession first look must be to Target player – think “transition”
  • If unable to play forward – maintain possession
• Possession Team:
  • Quick ball circulation and movement

4. DEFEND + TRANSITION TO ATTACK

Setup:

2 Teams of 11 players organised in their positions.  RED team has 2 Central Defenders outside the shaded area – they can only enter to apply pressure after Black (9 or 11) receive the ball.  BLACK team is positioned in a low defensive block in a 1-4-4-1-1 formation.

Instructions:

Plays starts RED team Goalkeeper – a pass to either Central Defender begins the ‘live’ game.  Emphasis is on the BLACK team defending, gaining possession and immediately transitioning forward. Forwards (9 + 11) are positioned in a free zone – ONE of them can leave the zone to help defend; on winning possession 9 + 11 can receive forward / vertical passes in the shaded zone – after they touch the ball, opponent Central Defenders become ‘live’.

*If unable to transition immediately – be patient and maintain possession.

Games 8min – Change roles after each game.

Coaching Points:

• Defending team:
  • Remain compact while putting pressure on ball in central area: all players must work as a unit to force errors / win possession
  • Compact vertically + horizontally – deny spaces between lines
  • Communication – constant organisation
  • On gaining possession first look must be to Target player – think “transition”
  • If unable to play forward – maintain possession
• Possession Team:
  • Quick ball circulation and movement.