3v2 Counter-Attack with Recovering Defender
3v2 counter-attack on a half pitch with a defender recovering from behind. The attackers must finish quickly before the recovering defender evens up the duel.
Step 1Salida rápida
1 / 3
El central conduce hacia la portería, el exterior abre y el recuperador sprinta hacia atrás.
Objective
Improve speed and decision making in attacking transition with a temporary numerical advantage, and the recovery run of the third defender.
Organisation
Half pitch with goal and goalkeeper. Three attackers start from the halfway line, two defenders wait at the edge of the box and a third defender (the recovering player) starts from a cone by the touchline, 10 m ahead of the attackers. Two mini goals on the halfway line, balls at the centre, bibs and cones.
Development
- 1On the coach's signal the central attacker drives towards goal while the two wide attackers run with width.
- 2At the same time, the recovering defender leaves his cone and sprints back to join the defence.
- 3The defenders stay compact and delay the finish; the attackers must move the ball quickly to pin defenders and find the free teammate.
- 4The attackers have eight seconds to finish; if they fail, the ball goes to the defenders, who launch a counter towards the two mini goals on the halfway line.
- 5Three groups rotate every wave: attackers become the recovering defender and defenders, and so on.
Coaching points4
- The ball carrier drives straight at goal to pin the central defender.
- Wide attackers keep their width and stay behind the ball to avoid offside.
- Release the pass when the defender steps to the ball, not before.
- Recovering defender: sprint towards goal, not towards the ball, to close the central space.
Common mistakes3
- The ball carrier passes too early and gives the defence time to reorganise.
- All three attackers converge in the middle and the overload disappears.
- Dribbling past the defender when a teammate is free in a better position.
Variations3
- Start with a long pass from the goalkeeper to the attackers instead of a dribble.
- Play 3v2 + 2 recovering defenders entering from both touchlines.
- Attackers must finish within a maximum of four passes.
Progressions2
- Reduce the time to finish to six seconds.
- Move the recovering defender's cone forward so he evens up the duel sooner.
Regressions2
- Delay the recovering defender's start until the attackers' first pass.
- Play 3v1 + 1 recovering defender to guarantee more finishes.
Tips
- Have several balls ready at the halfway line to chain waves without pauses.
- Keep a score between groups: goals scored minus goals conceded in the mini goals.