Shut down and break

by Tony Carr in Attacking, Practice plans

 PRINT
 Save to My Activities
Your defenders should not think their job is over once they’ve won the ball. If the opposition
has attacked in numbers, it could be the ideal time to launch a counter attack. Use this session
to encourage your defenders to identify and create attacking opportunities.
What this session is about
Moving the ball quickly up the pitch from defence.
What to think about
 Speed – keep passes and touches to a minimum and be ready to spring into action.
 Move directly towards the goal/target.
 Sometimes, the fast break is not possible. It is important in these circumstances for
defenders to keep possession and wait for the chance to play a forward pass.
Set-up
Play 2v2 in a 20 yards by 10 yards area, split in two halves.
Warm
Warm up Session Developments Game Situation
Down

10 minutes 10 minutes 15 minutes 15 minutes 10

minutes
What you get your players to do
Each team lines up on its goal line. Play a 2v2 with the defending team restricted to its half.
To score a point, an attacker must dribble the ball across the defenders’ goal line. If the
defenders win the ball, they can launch an immediate counter attack. The attackers then have
to get back to defend as quickly as possible. Once either team scores a point, or the ball goes
out of play, possession is handed back to the original attacking team. Play for, say 2 minutes,
then swap team roles.
The defending team wins the ball in their own half and counter attacks to score.

Development
This time, if the defenders win the ball, only one can enter the opposition’s half. The
defender in possession can either dribble towards the goal line or pass to their partner, who
breaks quickly into the other half. If the counter attack isn’t possible, the only way a player
can release their team mate into the opponent’s half is by crossing back into their own half
with the ball (see the bottom picture).
A defender breaks into the opponent’s half but is closed down quickly.

Game situation
Play 4v4, plus two goalkeepers, on a 30 yards by 20 yards playing area. The team not in
possession must have three players in its own half and looks to counter attack when the ball is
won.
 The defender returns to his own half to release his team mate and passes for him to score.

What to call out

 “Get your head up.”
 “Get on the move.”
 “The attack starts the moment you win the ball.”
SHARE THIS
SHARE

About Tony Carr

Tony Carr is one of the most influential figures in English football. The former West Ham
Academy director has brought through – from the youth team to the first team – players like
Glen Johnson, John Terry, Rio Ferdinand, Frank Lampard, Michael Carrick, Joe Cole and
Jermain Defoe.
View all posts by Tony Carr >
RELATED

Midfield dynamite
in Attacking, Midfield
A session aimed at getting players to create and utilise space in midfield. With quick passing
and movement, it should help open up the opposition and make goal scoring chances. MORE
 Pass to Ronaldo
in Attacking, Passing
A good final ball can create a solid scoring opportunity. The aim of this session is to get
players passing like Juventus and to create scoring chances for your own Cristiano Ronaldo
MORE
LATEST ACTIVITIES
 Listen to some great advice
 Get parents onside
 Educating the coach
 Six of the best 1v1s
 Dribble and change direction
 One-two work out
 Last training before Christmas?
 Midfield dynamite
 Making a difference
 Review your tactics
 A new player wants to join the team…
 Pass to Ronaldo
MOST POPULAR DRILLS
 Space Invaders
 9v9 Formations
 Space Wars
 What is a Rondo in soccer?
RECOMMENDED
 FUN SOCCER GAMES FOR 5 TO 8 YEAR OLDS
Don't Feed The Monkeys, Ghostbusters and other really fun stuff for kids new to soccer
MORE

BUY