3v3 Counter-Press: Win It Back in 5 Seconds
3v3 to four mini goals where winning the ball back within 5 seconds of losing it scores a point. Teaches the first reaction after losing possession.
- Age
- U9–Senior
- Players
- 6–8
- Duration
- 16 min
- Difficulty
- Intermediate
- Intensity
- High
- Area
- 25 × 20 m
- Type
- Tactical
- Approach
- Global
- Format
- Match
- Objectives
- Tactical: Defensive transition, Pressing, Attacking transition
- Concepts worked on
Training diagram
Blue have just lost the ball: the nearest player presses, the other two close the passing lanes.
Legend
- Attacker
- Defender
- Run without ball
- Ball
- Cone
- Goal
The moment after losing the ball decides many goals. In this small-sided game, a team that wins the ball back within five seconds scores a point without shooting, and a team that scores within five seconds of winning the ball gets a bonus. Players learn to react instead of complaining, and to counter quickly when they win it.
Objective
React immediately after losing the ball: press the ball, close nearby passing lanes and win it back within 5 seconds; counter fast after winning it.
Organisation
- 25 × 20 m area with two mini goals on each end line.
- Two teams of three. With 7 or 8 players, the extra players act as neutrals for the team in possession or rotate in every round.
- Spare balls with the coach on the side.
How it works
- A normal 3v3 game: each team attacks the two mini goals at the opposite end.
- A goal is worth 1 point.
- If a team wins the ball back within 5 seconds of losing it, it scores 1 point and keeps playing. The coach counts the seconds out loud.
- A goal scored within 5 seconds of winning the ball is worth 2.
- 4 rounds of 3 minutes with 1 minute of rest.
Coaching points
- The nearest player presses the ball at once; do not stop to complain.
- The other two close the closest passing lanes: make the field small around the ball.
- If you cannot win it in 5 seconds, run back behind the ball and defend the goals.
- When you win the ball, look forward first: the opponent is unbalanced.
- Keep distances short while attacking, so you are close when the ball is lost.
Progressions
- Reduce the time to 4 seconds.
- Goals only count when shot from inside the attacking half.
- Play 4v4 in a 30 × 25 m area.
Regressions
- Give 7 seconds to win the ball back.
- Use 3 m cone gates instead of mini goals.
- Add a neutral who always plays with the team in possession.
Variations
- Play to one large goal with goalkeepers to finish the counter-attacks with a shot.
Key principles
- React immediately after losing the ball.
- Make the field small around the ball.
- Counter fast after winning it.
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