Tactics / Transitions

Get back into shape

When you lose the ball and cannot win it straight back, sprint back towards your own goal, inside the ball, so you are between it and the goal.

TransitionFrom 5v5Match moment: We have just lost itMatch moment: A winger runs at youMatch moment: One against the keeperMatch moment: Ball over the topMatch moment: Two against oneMatch moment: An overlap against youMatch moment: Defend the cut-back

DELAYGK546810
  • Us
  • Them
  • Pass
  • Run
  • Dribble

Why it works

A team caught out of shape is easiest to score against. The first few seconds of sprinting back decide whether the other team gets a 3v2 or runs into a wall.

What players do

  • Run back on the inside, towards the middle of your goal, not straight at the ball.
  • The nearest defender delays: stay on your feet and slow the attack down.
  • Midfielders sprint back past the ball before they look to defend.
  • Talk: tell teammates who to pick up.

Common mistakes

  • Jogging back, or stopping to watch.
  • Running at the ball instead of back to goal, which lets a pass go behind you.
  • Diving in when you are on your own. Delay until help arrives.

With young players

Praise the recovery run as loudly as the goal. Children copy what gets noticed.

Drawn on a 105 × 68 m pitch, showing the part where it happens. Orange attacks left to right and the other team is in blue; numbers are the usual shirt numbers for each position.

Put it into your own team's plan in the team builder, and see what it asks of each player.

Next: Attacking corners: low and short

What it asks of each player

The same idea, from every line of the team. Set it up for your own team in the team builder.

  • GK
    Goalkeeper
    • Organise: shout who picks up whom.
    • Tell each runner who to pick up.
    • Stay on your line until the ball is played through.

    Position guide: Goalkeeper

  • DEF
    Defenders
    • Delay, do not dive in; wait for help.
    • Back off and keep the attacker in front.
    • Wait until teammates are back before tackling.

    Position guide: Centre-back · Full-back

  • MID
    Midfielders
    • Sprint back on the inside, past the ball.
    • Run back on the inside, between the ball and our goal.
    • Do not look back at the ball until you are goal side.

    Position guide: Holding midfielder · Central midfielder · Attacking midfielder

  • ATT
    Forwards
    • Get back to block the pass into midfield.
    • Run back through the middle to block the pass to their midfield.
    • Do not jog: every metre counts.

    Position guide: Winger · Striker

Practices that train it

Start with the first, and build up to the game.