Match moments / The ball changes hands
We have just won it
We have made the tackle. Their team is spread out and facing the wrong way. Three quick decisions, from 6, 7 and 9, turn a tackle into a goal.
In the match
- Decision 1Holding mid
- Decision 2Winger
- Decision 3Striker
You are 6, our holding midfielder.
You have won the ball. What is your first look?
Play the build-up, then choose.
Best choice
Their players are still facing our goal. One pass forward takes most of them out, and 7 and 11 are already sprinting.
It can work
Safe, and sometimes right if nothing is on. Here the counter was on, and by the time we go forward they are back in shape.
Costly
Every touch gives them a second to recover, and the player you tackled is right next to you.
In the match, play carries on from the best choice.
You are 7, our right winger, with the ball.
Three of us against two of them. What do you do?
Play what happened next, then choose.
Best choice
While the defender is deciding, they can stop nobody. Once they step to you, 9 is free.
It can work
Not wrong, but the defender has not committed yet, so they simply turn and block 9.
Costly
You shoot through the one defender in the way, from a poor angle, with two teammates free.
In the match, play carries on from the best choice.
You are 9, eight metres out.
The ball comes across to you. Their keeper is rushing out. How do you finish?
Play what happened next, then choose.
Best choice
This close, placement beats power. Low and to the far side is the hardest save for a keeper coming out.
It can work
Power sometimes beats a keeper, but they were standing in the way. A placed shot is a much better chance.
Costly
That touch gives the keeper the last two metres they needed. With the keeper coming, finish first time.
How you know it is happening
- You have just won the ball, or a teammate has.
- Their players are facing our goal.
- A teammate is free ahead of the ball.
Why it works
A team that has just lost the ball is out of shape for a few seconds. Fast, forward play uses the gaps before they close. Every extra touch lets them recover.
Your job, by position
- DMHolding midfielder
- Win it, then look forward first.
- A quick pass into the striker starts the counter.
- Then stay behind the ball in case it breaks down.
- WWinger and wide midfielder
- Sprint the moment we win it, wide and forward.
- With the ball, drive at the defender until they commit, then pass.
- STStriker
- Show for the ball and lay it off wide first time.
- Then attack the box, ahead of the ball.
- Finish first time, placed, not blasted.
- GKGoalkeeper
- Catch, look, throw. Fast if it is on.
- Throw it to the side away from their players.
- CBCentre-back
- If you win it, find a midfielder facing forward.
- Stay back with their forward while we counter.
How to explain it
- Ask "where did they leave space?" the moment we win it.
- Count the passes from regain to shot: five or fewer is a counter.
- Praise the sprint of the player who did not get the ball.
On the training pitch
- On your ownTurn and goThe technique underneath it, with a ball and some space.
- The practice3v2 to goalThe same decision, over and over, with a little pressure.
- The gameAttack, then defend: wavesA small-sided game set up so the moment keeps happening.
Set the game up so it keeps happening
- Ten seconds to score after winning the ball.
- A goal from a counter counts double.
- Defenders who lose it must sprint back across the halfway line.
Three things to say
- Look forward first.
- Runners go at once.
- Few touches.
On Saturday
Tick them off on the day. Nothing is saved: print the page if you want to keep it.
After the whistle
Ask yourself
- Did you look forward first when you won it?
- Did you sprint even when you did not get the ball?
What to look back on
- How many counters did we start, and how many ended in a shot?