Annual training plan · U14–U23

Week 15: Transition Play in Small-Sided Games

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

Training week 14 was about defensive transition. This focus continues this week so that the players can further internalise your instructions.

Last week distinguished between the options counter-press and dropping back combined with a compact shape. A number of criteria were listed that help players choose the best option for the current match situation. The criteria that influence the decision were:

  • Counter-press: opponent on the ball has his back to the direction of play, equal numbers or an overload near the ball, or ball lost far away from your own goal
  • Dropping back: ball lost close to the last line, opponent on the ball is facing forward, or fewer of your own players than opponents are behind the ball

If the players are now making the right decisions, the execution can be refined further. Here are a few key coaching instructions to support the players with the two options.

Counter-press:

  • In the second line, stay tight to your man in case the first pressing line is bypassed
  • Cut off passing options near the ball
  • Attack the opponent on the ball, do not just engage him
  • Press at high speed

Dropping back:

  • Get into a compact shape
  • Get back behind the ball quickly
  • Do not step out of the line rashly
  • Take the pace out of the attack and invite play wide

Author Luis Österlein

Session 1

4 drills

The training starts with a passing drill in a square. The sequence is straightforward, which allows the players to concentrate fully on clean, match-like execution. Demand that the players gradually increase the tempo. If you have set up the exercise twice or more, the passing drill also works very well as a competition. Which group manages to get the ball round 5 laps the fastest.

After the passing drill, the session continues with a coordination and sprint course. This means work has been done on technique and coordination as well as on athleticism, and the session can move on to this week's training focus.

A total of 2 exercises are intended to further improve defensive transition play. In the first exercise, the focus is very clearly on counter-pressing quickly. The second exercise is more about getting into a compact shape quickly after a goal, because the team is briefly outnumbered.

Drill 1

Passing in a Square Variation I

15 min12 x 12 metres.

The passing sequence is always the same:

  1. The player on the ball passes to the next team-mate, who moves towards the ball.
  2. The team-mate lays the ball back, runs around the cone and receives the return pass of the one-two.
  3. Then that player passes to the next player.

After their second pass, the players always move on one cone station.

Variations:

  • The wall player plays the first pass first time. After rounding the cone, the second ball may be taken on with the first touch and then passed.

Note: The drill needs a certain amount of time to get going.

Equipment & set-up

Pitch: A cone square measuring 12 x 12 metres.

Equipment: 4 cones.

Players: The starting position with the ball must be occupied by at least two players. From 10 players upwards, set up a second square.

Coaching points
  • The player waiting for the ball starts the counter-movement at the same moment as the passer's backswing.
  • The wall player matches the running speed to the speed of the pass.
  • Place the standing foot 30 to 40 centimetres to the side of the ball or level with it, no leaning back.
  • With the inside-of-the-foot pass the toes point upwards, the ankle is firmly locked and the upper body leans slightly over the ball.
  • Stand on the balls of the feet, lift the kicking foot slightly, strike the middle of the ball and then swing the leg through — do not arch the back. The same applies to the first touch and to taking the ball in stride.
  • Bring the opposite arm through: when passing with the right inside of the foot the left arm goes to the right hip, with the left inside of the foot the right arm goes to the left hip.
  • Coordinate the timing of the pass and of the start of the run; players often run faster than they pass.
  • Demand firm and accurate passes.
Drill 2

Coordination and Sprint

10 min

The course is completed clockwise. The following exercises are carried out:

  1. Hop on the right leg and land next to every cone.
  2. Hop on the left leg and land next to every cone.
  3. Hop over the hurdles on both legs.
  4. Go through the agility ladder as instructed — for example two steps per square or in-out.
  5. Run backwards for about five metres.
  6. Sprint to the target cone.
Equipment & set-up

Pitch: The course is set up in a line: first two staggered rows of cones, then a row of hurdles, then the agility ladder and at the end a coloured cone. From there the sprint distance leads back past two more coloured cones.

Equipment: Cones in different colours, hurdles and 1 agility ladder.

Players: The players go through the course one after the other.

Coaching points
  • In both hopping exercises stay on the balls of the feet and keep the balance.
  • When hopping over the hurdles work synchronously and smoothly on both legs, keep the arms close to the body and use them for momentum.
  • In the agility ladder always stay on the balls of the feet, work cleanly and smoothly and keep the arms close to the body.
  • When running backwards look forwards and stay on the balls of the feet.
  • Carry out all exercises cleanly and at the highest possible speed.
Drill 3

Transition Game: Numerical Advantage and Disadvantage

25 minTwo areas of 20 x 25 metres each
  • In one half the game is 8 vs 6; Blue has the numerical advantage.
  • The two remaining players wait in the other half.
  • If Red wins the ball, it is played into the other half to the team-mate.
  • All Blue players except two move into the other half; play continues there 8 vs 6 in favour of Red.
Equipment & set-up

Pitch: Six cones mark out two squares.

Equipment: 6 cones and several balls.

Players: Two teams of eight players each.

Coaching points
  • Use the numerical advantage for quick combinations.
  • The team with fewer players defends the space and attacks at the right moment.
  • Demand good communication during the transition so that two players stay in the area.
Drill 4

Small-Sided Game: Transition Play

30 min
  • Two teams play freely against each other.
  • If a team scores a goal, the goalscorer has to run around both of the opponents' goals before rejoining the game.
Equipment & set-up

Pitch: Four mini goals stand at the sides.

Equipment: 4 mini goals and several balls.

Players: Two teams of four players each.

Coaching points
  • After a goal get into a compact shape quickly and take the pace out of the opponents' attack until the numbers are equal again.
  • After conceding a goal take a new ball as quickly as possible and make the numerical advantage count.
The complete session as a ready-made training plan – with animated drills in the web app. Go to the web app

Session 2

4 drills

The main focus of today's training session is counter-pressing. In Exercises 2 and 3, the teams try to keep the ball with a numerical advantage. If they lose the ball, the opponent can immediately be attacked again and also doubled up on, thanks to the numerical advantage.

In both exercises, demand that the opponent is not only contained, but that the ball is attacked directly. Thanks to the numerical advantage, the other passing options should be cut off and the player in possession doubled up on. It is important that the opponent is put under constant pressure, so that they have no time to get their bearings and find a solution.

After the two counter-pressing exercises, a small-sided game is played in a 3 vs 3. Here too, the players have to make the transition immediately after a goal. However, because the numbers are equal, the opponent cannot be attacked blindly, as there must also be enough cover in depth

Coaching points for this session

Counter-pressing:

  • Create an overload near the ball
  • Double up on the opponent when possible
  • Close down at high speed
  • Do not just jockey the opponent, attack them
Drill 1

Warm-Up: Swiss Drill

15 min
  • The first two players carry the ball to the centre at the same time and then play a pass to the next group on the left.
  • The players receiving the pass also dribble to the centre and then pass to the left.
  • The drill is continued as a continuous passing sequence.
  • After the pass the players run through to the group opposite.
Equipment & set-up

Pitch: Five cones mark four group positions and the centre.

Equipment: 5 cones and 2 balls.

Players: Four groups; one ball each lies with the top group and the bottom group.

Coaching points
  • Take the ball straight into their stride with the first touch.
  • Increase the speed step by step.
  • Demand a short change of pace after the pass.
Drill 2

Counter-Pressing: 3-Colour Game

20 min
  • The coach calls out a colour, which plays as the defending team, and plays the ball to the attacking team.
  • The team with the numerical advantage — for example Yellow and Blue together — tries to play a set number of passes to keep possession and may then finish on one of the mini goals. A goal earns each of the two teams in possession one point.
  • The ball may only be played in the middle zone; the finish also only takes place from the middle zone.
  • If the team with fewer players wins the ball, the team with the numerical advantage goes into counter-pressing immediately. After winning the ball the team with fewer players may finish on the small goals straight away; a goal earns that team two points.
  • If the ball is out of play, the coach immediately brings a new ball into play and names a new team to play with fewer players.
Equipment & set-up

Pitch: The playing area is marked out in three zones, with the middle zone bigger than the two outer zones. In addition there are two mini goals.

Equipment: 2 mini goals, cones and several balls.

Players: Three teams of three players each.

Coaching points
  • Two defenders go into pressing, one defender tries to intercept passes.
  • Use the numerical advantage to create space and combine quickly.
Drill 3

6 Plus 2 vs 4 with Counter-Pressing

20 min20 x 40 metres
  • Team A in yellow plays with six players on the outside and two inside.
  • Team B with four players chases the ball while Team A keeps possession with a maximum of two touches.
  • When in possession the outside players may only stay on the outside.
  • If Team B wins the ball, Team A goes into counter-pressing immediately and tries to win the ball back. The outside players may now move inside as well.
  • Team B tries to dribble out of the area. If Team A wins the ball, play continues straight away.
Equipment & set-up

Pitch: Cones mark the playing area.

Equipment: Cones and several balls.

Players: The teams are organised for an 8 vs 4.

Coaching points
  • The outside players always play vertically and not square.
  • When possession is lost all players join in the counter-pressing.
  • The players in the centre put the player on the ball under pressure immediately.
Drill 4

Fast Transition After a Goal

25 min20 x 25 metres
  • A free game of 3 vs 3 is played.
  • As soon as one team scores a goal, the other team must leave the playing area.
  • A new team enters the playing area with a ball immediately after the goal; play continues straight away as 3 vs 3.
Equipment & set-up

Pitch: Cones mark the playing area; there are two mini goals at the ends.

Equipment: 2 mini goals, cones, bibs and several balls.

Players: Several teams of three.

Coaching points
  • The team coming on presses immediately.

Session 3

4 drills

At the start of training, 2 technical focuses are set. It begins with a handball heading game, in which the players improve not only their heading technique but also their timing when heading and their movement to get free.

In the 2nd exercise, lofted balls are worked on in a passing drill. When playing lofted balls, make sure that the players play the ball on the move, to make the technique training as match-like as possible.

After that, a drill on finishing and 1 vs 1 is also used to work on defensive transition play. The players have to go into a defensive 1 vs 1 directly after a finish.

For the last 35 minutes of training, a small-sided game is played in which each team plays on 2 opposite goals. This means the players have to defend in no fewer than 2 directions of play in defensive transition.

Drill 1

Handball Heading Game

15 min
  • Both teams pass the ball to each other by hand.
  • With the ball in the hands, a maximum of three steps may be taken; the ball is passed on by then at the latest, without stopping.
  • Goals may only be scored with the head after a pass from a team-mate; setting the ball up for oneself is not allowed.
Equipment & set-up

Pitch: Cones mark out the playing area; a goal stands at one side.

Equipment: 1 goal, cones and several balls.

Players: Two teams.

Coaching points
  • Demand active getting free from the players.
Drill 2

Short Pass | Lofted Ball

15 minHalf a pitch
  • Player A plays a ground pass to Player B.
  • Player B plays a ground pass to Player C.
  • Player C plays a ground pass to Player D.
  • Player D plays a lofted pass to Player E.
  • Player E plays a ground pass to Player F.
  • Player F plays a ground pass to Player G.
  • Player G plays a ground pass to Player H.
  • Player H plays a lofted pass to Player A.

Note: Every player moves to the position they have passed to.

Equipment & set-up

Pitch: Cones mark the positions.

Equipment: Cones and several balls.

Players: The players at positions A to H. Player A's position is filled by two players at the start.

Coaching points
  • Play all ground passes with the second touch.
  • Play the lofted balls on the move.
Drill 3

Shooting Drill with Transition into 1 vs 1

20 minPoles 25 metres in front of the goals
  • The first player shoots at goal and, immediately after the shot, goes into a 1 vs 1 as the defender against the first player of the other group.
  • That player sets off as soon as the first player has finished.
Equipment & set-up

Pitch: Two goals stand at right angles to each other, with two poles in front of them.

Equipment: 2 goals, 2 poles and several balls.

Players: Two groups plus goalkeepers.

Coaching points
  • Tell the players not to stand and watch after the shot, but to transition immediately.
Drill 4

8 vs 8 to Four Cone Goals

25 min30 x 40 metres.

Both teams play against each other with an unlimited number of touches. The red team defends the two red cone goals and attacks the two blue ones, the blue team the other way round.

Progression:

  • Limit to three touches.
  • Limit to two touches.
  • One-touch play with a single touch.
Equipment & set-up

Pitch: An area marked out with cones measuring 30 x 40 metres. In the middle of each of the four lines there is a cone goal — two red and two blue.

Equipment: 12 cones.

Players: Two teams of eight players each.

Coaching points
  • In defence, shift across as a unit depending on the position of the ball.
  • On winning the ball, switch quickly. If that is not possible, control the ball and move the opponents with deliberate passing until a space opens up to finish.
  • Always keep an eye on the opponents and on the goals to be defended.
  • Play passes firmly and accurately and keep the timing of the pass.
  • On losing possession, switch to defence immediately.
  • Talk to each other and organise the shape.
  • When play gets stuck, switch the play and do not commit to one goal.
  • Where possible, build up quick passing moves and look for the pass in behind.
  • In possession, change positions and do not play statically.
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