Transition

3v2 Counter Attack Drill

This counter attack drill recreates the moment after your team wins the ball: three attackers break forward against two defenders and a keeper, while another defender sprints back to help. The attack has to be fast, direct and finished before the recovering runner arrives.

AgesU10 to adult
Players4 to 9
Space40 × 44 m
Time15 min
IntensityHigh

Animate it in DrawTactics

It trains forward first passes, keeping three lanes wide, and committing a defender before releasing the ball. In football, many goals at every level come from breaks like this, so it's worth a regular spot in your sessions.

Setup

Mark out an area 40 m long and 44 m wide that runs out from the goal, with a keeper in goal. Three attackers wait spread across the bottom line, and two defenders stand in a line about 17 m from goal, one of them with the ball. One recovering defender starts at a disc in a bottom corner. The defender plays the ball toward the attackers, like a loose pass; the attackers win it and break at once, and the recovering defender chases as they set off.

Equipment1 full-size goal, 1 disc, A supply of balls, Bibs in two colors

How it works

A defender plays a loose pass toward the bottom line and the central attacker wins it.
The central attacker carries the ball forward, the two wide attackers sprint up their lanes, and the recovering defender starts chasing from the corner.
A defender steps out to the ball carrier, who releases it to the wide attacker on the far side from the chaser and keeps running through the middle.
The attacker on the chaser's side bends a run toward goal and receives the pass across.
That attacker finishes at goal.

Diagram of the 3v2 counter attack drill with every pass and run — Every step of the drill on one diagram.

Coaching points

Make the first pass a forward one
Keep three lanes: left, middle and right
Carry the ball at a defender to make them commit before you release it
Finish within eight seconds
After passing, keep running to give another option or follow in on the shot

Make it harder

Add a second recovering defender
Defenders who win the ball can score in a mini goal
The coach serves the ball in from different places so the regain changes each time

Make it easier

Remove the recovering defender
Play 3v1

Adapting it by age

U8–U10

Play 3v1 in a 30 × 35 m area without the recovering defender. Ask for at least one pass before the shot so the wide players get involved.

U12–U14

Use the default 3v2 with the recovering defender and a ten-second limit. Rotate attackers into defense after each set of reps.

U15 to adult

Use the full 40 × 44 m, an eight-second limit, and a second recovering defender. Defenders who win it counter into a mini goal on the bottom line.

Common mistakes

The wide attackers drift into the middle, and two defenders can cover all three. Mark the lanes with discs if needed and keep the wide players near the edges until the final pass.

The central player passes square or backward to be safe. Set the rule that the first pass must go forward and praise risky forward passes that don't come off.

The attack slows down after the first pass and the recovering defender catches up. Count the eight seconds out loud and stop the rep when time runs out.

FAQ

How many passes should a counter-attack take?
As few as needed. Two or three passes is typical, and the first one should go forward if it can.

What does the recovering defender add?
Time pressure. The attackers have to finish before the extra defender gets back, just as they would in a match.

Make this drill your own

Open the 3v2 counter attack drill in DrawTactics to change the numbers and the size of the area, move the players, and export your own animation or diagram for your team. Or add it to a free session plan and print it.

Animate it in DrawTactics