Annual training plan · U14–U23

Week 14: Transition After Losing the Ball

3 complete training sessions with 12 drills – created by licensed coaches. Open every drill in the easy2coach web app with one click.

This week’s focus

How do I react after losing the ball? Roughly speaking, there are 2 answers to this question: I go into the “counter-press” or I “drop off”.

Over the next 2 weeks, your players will learn to find and carry out the right one of the two options in a wide range of match situations. But this requires clear criteria for choosing between counter-pressing and dropping back correctly and quickly.

The counter-press makes sense when …

  • … the player who won the ball has his back to goal
  • … your own team has equal numbers or an overload near the ball
  • … the ball is lost far away from your own goal

Your own team should drop back after losing the ball when …

  • … the opponent on the ball can play facing the goal
  • … the opponent on the ball is very close to the last line
  • … fewer of your own players than opponents are behind the ball

It will not only be about which of the two decisions your team makes, but also about how they are carried out.

When dropping back, it is important that the back four makes the centre compact by reducing the distances between the players. This should take the pace out of the opposition's attack and invite play wide. Now it is important that other team-mates get back behind the ball quickly so that the team can defend with an overload again.

If the counter-press option is chosen, it is important that the defenders also actively take part. The opponents playing behind the first pressing line should also be watched closely. If this is not done, the press can be broken with a pass and the receiver can turn. This is particularly dangerous because the opponent on the ball can then face the goal, and several players have already been bypassed by the press.

Author Luis Österlein

Session 1

4 drills

The training starts with a passing drill in which the players learn to play past an opposing line with enough pace on the pass. The passing sequence is initiated with a lay-off. Make sure that the players internalise always playing it with the foot furthest from the opponent.

In Exercises 3 and 4, a total of 50 minutes is spent working on defensive transition play. In Exercise 3, the coaching focus is on the transition behaviour of the team with the numerical advantage. As a result, lots of match situations should arise in which it makes sense to counter-press.

The session is rounded off with a small-sided game from 1 vs 0 up to 5 vs 4. This produces lots of transition situations in which the team is outnumbered. It is therefore better to try to compact the centre, take the pace out of the attack and force a finish from an unfavourable angle.

Coaching points for this session

Favourable condition for counter-pressing:

  • Overload or equal numbers near the ball
  • Opponent in possession is playing with their back to goal
  • Opponent in possession is far away from our goal
Drill 1

Passing with 2 Stations

20 min
  • Player 1 has the ball and passes to the player at the middle cone — Player 2.
  • Player 2 lays the ball off back to Player 1.
  • Player 1 passes the ball diagonally to Player 3.
  • Player 3 takes the ball along and runs to Player 1's position.
  • Player 1 moves to position 2 and Player 2 to position 3.
Equipment & set-up

Pitch: Three cones mark the positions.

Equipment: 3 cones and several balls.

Players: Teams of three are formed.

Coaching points
  • Player 1 plays the pass to Player 3 with enough pace.
  • Player 2 plays the lay-off with the foot furthest from the opponent.
  • Player 3 takes the ball in their stride at high speed.
Drill 2

Transition Game 4 vs 2 in the Double Area

20 min10 x 10 metres per square
  • The drill starts in one of the two outer squares with a 4 vs 2 with two touches.
  • From the sixth touch the team in possession may switch areas with a pass into the third square; the two other players of the defending team may not intercept this pass.
  • After the pass into the other area the two other players of the defending team push up out of the middle square, and play continues 4 vs 2.
  • After six passes the area may be switched again. The team receives one point for every pass into the other area after at least six passes.
  • If the team with fewer players wins the ball and plays a pass to the team-mates in the middle square, the two teams swap possession and positions.
Equipment & set-up

Pitch: Eight cones lay out three squares.

Equipment: 8 cones and several balls.

Players: Three teams of four players each.

Coaching points
  • One defender goes to the ball, the other tries to intercept the passes.
  • The combinations should be quick, as there is a numerical advantage.
Drill 3

Fast Counter-Pressing

25 minAs shown in the graphic
  • The player behind the small goals starts the drill with a pass to one of the team-mates.
  • The team in possession tries to get a finish on goal in the 5 vs 4.
  • If the defending team wins the ball, it finishes on the counter-attack goals.
  • After losing possession the team with the numerical advantage immediately goes into counter-pressing.
Equipment & set-up

Pitch: Six cones mark out a rectangle in front of the penalty area. At one end there is the full-size goal with a goalkeeper, at the opposite end two small counter-attack goals side by side.

Equipment: 1 full-size goal, 2 counter-attack goals, 6 cones and several balls.

Players: Two teams playing 5 vs 4, each in their own colour of bibs, one player with a ball behind the small goals plus a goalkeeper.

Coaching points
  • Create a numerical advantage near the ball immediately.
  • Put the passing options near the ball into the cover shadow.
  • Cover the passing lanes in behind.
  • Put the player in possession under pressure immediately.
Drill 4

Transition Game from 1 vs 0 to 5 vs 4

25 minDouble penalty area
  • The drill starts with a 1 vs 0 and a finish on goal; a rebound shot is not allowed.
  • Immediately afterwards two opponents set off into the area with a ball for a 2 vs 1.
  • After every ball out of play or goal, two players per team set off into the area alternately until the game is 5 vs 4.
  • A short rest follows; in the next run-through the other team starts the drill.
Equipment & set-up

Pitch: Cones mark the playing area; two goals stand at the ends.

Equipment: 2 goals, cones and several balls.

Players: Two teams of five plus goalkeepers.

Coaching points
  • Use the numerical advantage to combine quickly or to dribble through.
  • Demand immediate transition.
  • The defenders try to cover the space.
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Session 2

4 drills

Good situations for counter-pressing often arise after balls played in behind that are run down by the defender. If the striker chases after the defender at high speed, they can often force a pass out of play or an uncontrolled clearance.

Here too, it is important that the passing options behind the defender are well covered, to prevent the opponents from turning after a clearance.

Another option for the defender is a back pass to the goalkeeper. The far-side attacker can gamble on a back pass to the goalkeeper if their own team is positioned high enough.

Drill 1

Ground Passes

15 minSquares of 4 x 4 metres each.

Player B plays ground passes into the square, Player A breaks free before every pass and deals with the ball. After a set number of repetitions the two players swap tasks.

Three variations are available:

  1. Player A runs around one of the rear cones, returns the pass first time and then runs around the other cone.
  2. Player A shows for the ball next to the front cones and plays a lay-off.
  3. Player A runs backwards over the rear line, sets off forwards and plays the ball back.
Equipment & set-up

Pitch: Three squares of 4 x 4 metres each, marked out side by side as shown in the graphic.

Equipment: 15 cones, several balls.

Players: Groups of two. Player A works in the square, Player B stands with a ball about 5 metres in front of it.

Coaching points
  • Make sure the pass is along the ground and firm.
  • Time the break away from the cone to match the pass.
  • Have the variations carried out with both feet.
Drill 2

Sprint Training: Sprint Distances

15 min
  • The distances that have been set up are sprinted.
  • The way back is covered at an easy jogging pace.
  • Once all distances have been sprinted, a rest of about two minutes follows.
  • Four run-throughs are completed in total.
Equipment & set-up

Pitch: Cones are set up at distances of 10, 15, 20, 25 and 30 metres.

Equipment: Cones.

Drill 3

Transition with Counter-Pressing

25 min
  • Two players from Green start with a pass from the goalkeeper into a 2 vs 3 against Red.
  • If Red wins possession through clever doubling up, the team makes the transition and immediately tries to score a goal.
  • At the same time two more players from Green come onto the pitch, so that a 4 vs 3 for the counter-press is created; they try to win the ball and score a goal.
Equipment & set-up

Pitch: There is a goal at each end.

Equipment: 2 goals and several balls.

Players: Two teams in green and red; plus goalkeepers.

Coaching points
  • The defenders apply a high press.
  • The attackers try to tie up two defenders and to release the pass at the right moment.
  • Demand quick transitions and communication.
Drill 4

Small-Sided Game: Transition After Keeping Possession

20 minTwo squares, size depending on the number of players
  • In the first area the game is 6 vs 6 or bigger.
  • The neutral players each stay in their own area and play with the team in possession.
  • Once the team in possession has played a set number of passes, it can switch areas by passing to a neutral player in the other area.
  • Both teams then have to switch areas immediately until the set number of passes has been reached again.
  • The team that manages a switch of areas receives one point.
Equipment & set-up

Pitch: Six cones mark out two squares.

Equipment: 6 cones and several balls.

Players: Two teams of six or more players each plus two to three neutral players per area.

Coaching points
  • After losing possession get into a compact shape quickly and defend in a ball-orientated way.
  • Make sure that the passing options behind the first pressing line are sufficiently covered.

Session 3

4 drills

If possession is lost without it being possible to put the opponent in possession under pressure, the team drops back (or holds its line) and gets into a compact shape. The important points are:

  • The back four does not only drop back, but also squeezes inwards as it does so, to reduce the distances within the line.
  • If an opponent dribbles towards the last line, nobody should step out too early. It is better to wait until more players get behind the ball, in order to confront the player in possession.
  • Do not let the gap between the midfield line and the back four become too big when dropping back
  • Do not drop back in a rush if there is no real threat to the space behind the back four.
Drill 1

Running Technique Drills and Passing Triangles

20 min
  • The passing sequence in the triangles is A to B, B to C, C to A and so on.
  • After passing, Player C runs through the agility ladder with short, quick steps and then changes into the other passing triangle.
  • After a few run-throughs the running direction is changed: Player A passes to B and sets off through the course, Player B plays to C and C to A.
Equipment & set-up

Pitch: Six cones mark the positions for two passing triangles; plus two agility ladders.

Equipment: 6 cones, 2 agility ladders and several balls.

Players: Players A, B and C per triangle.

Coaching points
  • Demand play with a maximum of two touches.
  • Demand coordination between the two groups.
  • Increase the pace of the passes step by step.
Drill 2

Shot After Dribbling in the 1 vs 1

20 min
  • The first players of both teams set off at the same time, dribble through the cones and then shoot at the goal on their left as they see it.
  • A ball is then played into the area and the two players play 1 vs 1 on the mini goals.
Equipment & set-up

Pitch: Eight cones form two dribbling courses; plus two youth goals and two mini goals.

Equipment: 2 youth goals, 2 mini goals, 8 cones and several balls.

Players: Two teams.

Coaching points
  • Transition immediately after the finish in order to be ready for the 1 vs 1.
Drill 3

Transition Game from 4 vs 2 to 6 vs 4

20 minInner area 4 x 4 metres, outer area 10 x 10 metres
  • At the start the game in the inner area is 4 vs 2 with two touches.
  • If the ball is won, the team that has won it tries to pass to one of the team-mates in the outer area. This creates a 6 vs 4.
  • After the ball goes out of play the drill restarts with a 4 vs 2 in the inner area.
Equipment & set-up

Pitch: Four tall cones mark the big square, four cones the small square inside it.

Equipment: 4 tall cones, 4 cones and several balls.

Players: Two teams, spread across the inner and the outer area.

Coaching points
  • After a misplaced pass in the inner area, put the opponent in possession under pressure immediately in order to prevent a pass into the outer area.
Drill 4

Final Game on Transition Play

25 minFull pitch
  • The game is played free with no limit on touches.
  • After losing possession the teams should get into their defensive shape immediately.
  • Goals count double if the goal is scored no later than six seconds after winning the ball.
  • They also count double if not all players have got behind the ball after losing possession.
Equipment & set-up

Pitch: Two goals stand at the ends.

Equipment: 2 goals and several balls.

Players: Two teams plus goalkeepers.

Coaching points
  • In counter-pressing the player winning the ball can only act as part of the unit.
  • Near the ball there must be equal numbers or a numerical advantage.
  • If possession is lost a long way from one's own goal, drop back and get into a compact shape.
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