Counterattack drill - Chasing from behind

Counterattack drill - Chasing from behind
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This counterattack drill recreates the moment your defenders are sprinting back under pressure, with attackers breaking at speed and defenders recovering from behind.

Setup

Mark out a narrow channel using cones, roughly 10 metres wide and 40 metres long, with a mini goal at one end. Use cones (or agility poles) as goal markers if you don’t have a goal.

Set up the starting gate at the top of the channel using four starting cones: one starting cone per player (two strikers and two defenders). Position strikers two steps ahead of their defenders on the same side.

This works best with a minimum of four players (2 strikers vs 2 defenders). If you have more players and enough space, set up multiple channels so players aren’t waiting in a queue.

Equipment Needed

Rules & Instructions

Run a breakaway repetition where attackers must combine quickly and defenders must recover under pressure.

  • Start Play:

    • Strikers and defenders start on their respective starting cones.
    • Strikers start two steps ahead of their defenders.
    • One striker starts with the ball.

  • Possession Team:

    • Strikers sprint towards goal.
    • The ball-carrying striker does not shoot.
    • The ball-carrying striker plays a pass to the other striker.
    • The receiving striker shoots immediately on receipt, without taking a touch to control.

  • Pressing Team:

    • Defenders sprint to recover from behind.
    • Defenders slide only to block the ball or slide from the side.
    • Defenders do not slide tackle from behind.

  • Restart:

    • Restart from the starting gate whenever the ball is out of play.

  • Rotation:

    • Change players from the left side to the right side.
    • Swap roles so players take turns as striker and defender.
    • Complete eight rounds per player.
    • Example progression for Player A (starts with the ball on the left):
      • Rounds 1–2: Left side (Round 1 with the ball; Round 2 without the ball and finish from a pass from the right striker).
      • Rounds 3–4: Right side (Round 3 with the ball; Round 4 without the ball and finish from a pass from the left striker).
      • Rounds 5–6: Defender on the left side (chase from behind).
      • Rounds 7–8: Defender on the right side (chase from behind).

Coaching Tips

  • Encourage the ball carrier to keep their head up and pass into the runner’s path.
  • Cue the receiving striker to open their body and finish first time with a controlled contact.
  • Remind defenders to sprint to recover first, then focus on body position before attempting a tackle.
  • Coach defenders to avoid tackling from behind and prioritise blocking lanes or tackling from the side.
  • Emphasise timing: attackers release the pass early enough to avoid the defender’s recovery challenge.
  • Keep repetitions flowing by restarting quickly from the starting gate when the ball goes out.

Why It Works for Adult Amateur Teams

This counterattack drill is easy to repeat but it recreates a match-real moment where a counterattack is decided quickly. Attackers learn to combine at speed, while defenders practise recovery runs and safer tackling decisions when they’re chasing back.

It also reinforces clean execution under pressure: a well-timed pass, a first-time finish, and a defender who has to defend without risky contact from behind.

  • Improve recovery defending when chasing back towards goal.
  • Train passing and finishing at speed under pressure.
  • Reinforce safer tackling decisions in recovery moments.
  • Build timing and coordination between two attackers.
  • Practice controlled first-time shooting.

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