Tactics / Transitions

Win it, then get out of the crowd

When you win the ball in a crowd, their players will try to win it straight back. The first pass goes away from the crowd, to a teammate facing the other way.

TransitionFrom 7v7Match moment: We have just won itMatch moment: Go round them

CROWDFREE SIDE106873
  • Us
  • Them
  • Pass
  • Run
  • Dribble

Why it works

Pressing teams counter-press: the players around the ball close in at once. One pass out of the crowd takes them all out of the game.

What players do

  • Before you win it, know where the free side is.
  • First touch away from pressure.
  • Pass to a teammate who can see the other side of the pitch.
  • That player switches, or carries the ball into the space.

Common mistakes

  • Dribbling into the players who just lost it.
  • A pass to a teammate who is also in the crowd.
  • The free-side player hiding behind an opponent.

With young players

A 4v4 with a "free side" end zone teaches it well: winning it and dribbling into the crowd never works.

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: Throw-ins that keep the ball

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
    • Stay available for a pass back if the crowd is too big.
    • Switch it from your feet if the outlet is closed.

    Position guide: Goalkeeper

  • DEF
    Defenders
    • If you win it, play to a midfielder facing the other way.
    • Do not dribble out of the crowd: pass out of it.

    Position guide: Centre-back · Full-back

  • MID
    Midfielders
    • Be the outlet: open your body to the far side.
    • Take your first touch away from the crowd.

    Position guide: Holding midfielder · Central midfielder · Attacking midfielder

  • ATT
    Forwards
    • Far winger: stay wide; the switch is coming.
    • Attack the full-back as soon as you receive.

    Position guide: Winger · Striker

Practices that train it

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