55) Recognising opportunities for attacking transitions (Nielsen) - FIFA Training Centre

Regardless of the area of the pitch in which it occurs, the moment a team gain possession is the perfect time for them to launch an attack. With opposition players out of position and space to exploit in behind their backline, the in-possession team can take advantage to create goalscoring chances.

For a team to launch an attacking transition, they must firstly recognise the opportunity to do so and prepare themselves accordingly. Passive players are asked to be aware of the space that they could attack, and the team are tasked with recognising the areas in which they can create numerical advantages and are challenged to adopt an aggressive approach immediately.

In this session, former Manchester City Women’s Director of Football Nils Nielsen delivers a series of exercises to a group of girls. The drills aim to improve the players’ ability in attacking transitions. The session begins with a thwo-phase rondo featuring quick turnovers of possession. The next exercise involves 2v2, 4v2 and 4v4 scenarios involving constant transitions. The session finishes with a 3v2 attacking wave game that encourages teams to counter-attack aggressively.

Session overview

Part 1: Two-phase rondos – 3v1 and 3v5

Part 2: Attack v. defence – From 2v2 to 4v4

Part 3: 3v2 attacking wave game

Key coaching points

Emphasise the importance of identifying and being prepared for a turnover.
Adopting an open body shape and reading the play helps players to prepare for an attacking transition.
A quick change of mindset from defence to attack enhances a team’s chances of exposing a disorganised defence.
Quick and aggressive off-the-ball movement can allow teams to take advantage of vulnerable defences.
Players should recognise when and how to use the spare player(s) in scenarios involving a numerical advantage.

Part 1: Two-phase rondos – 3v1 and 3v5

Basic sequence: Inside the 3m x 3m square, the blues try to keep possession and the orange player attempts to dispossess them. If the orange-team player wins the ball, they play the ball to 1 of their 4 team-mates outside the 3m x 3m square.

The first exercise works on the players’ ability to retain possession in confined spaces. Players are asked to show close control, the correct body orientation and excellent awareness and to read the play, with a view to overcoming the opposition’s press.

Mark out two 15m x 15m exercise areas.
Lay out a 3m x 3m square in the middle of each exercise area.
Assign 8 players to each exercise area.
Set up a 5 v. 3 (oranges v. blues) scenario in each exercise area.
Place all 3 blue-team players and 1 orange-team player in the 3m x 3m square.

The 3 blue-team players try to keep the ball inside the 3m x 3m square.
The orange-team player tries to dispossess them.
If the blues complete 6 passes, they win the game and the teams switch roles.
If the orange-team player wins the ball, they pass it to 1 of their 4 team-mates positioned outside the 3m x 3m square.
The oranges try to complete 6 passes, while the blues attempt to win the ball.
If the blues regain possession, they have to dribble the ball outside the area to end the game and for it to be restarted.

Players must avoid being static and should constantly be ready to receive the ball with an open body shape and be on their toes.
To perform the exercise efficiently, players must display close control, precise passing and quick decision-making.
Excellent body orientation and the ability to read the game are key to retaining possession and can help a team to keep the ball and circulate it in transitions.
Encourage players to play passes through pressure and not just around the opposition. This can draw players out of position and create space for team-mates to receive the ball.

Part 2: Attack v. defence – From 2v2 to 4v4

First phase: Players contest a 2v2 scenario.

Second phase: The 2 orange-team wide players are activated and enter the exercise area to create a 4v2 overload.

Third phase: The 2 blue-team wide players enter the exercise area to create a 4v4 scenario.

The second exercise works on the players’ mindsets to help them to react to a turnover and launch an attacking transition. Players must be switched-on and adapt their positioning, mentality and actions to the situation unfolding in front of them.

Use just under 1 half of a full-size pitch as the exercise area.
Reduce the width of the exercise area to 30m.
Position a full-size goal at either end of the exercise area.
Place a goalkeeper in each goal.
Split the group into 2 teams of 8 (oranges v. blues).
Set up a 2v2 scenario inside the exercise area.
Place 2 players from each team along the outer lines on opposite sides of the exercise area (“wide players”).
Ask the remaining players to stand beside their team’s goal.

The exercise starts with the goalkeeper.
They pass the ball out to 1 of the 2 blue-team players.
The blues look to score into the oranges’ goal.
The 2 orange-team players try to dispossess them.
After an attempt on goal or a turnover, the 2 orange-team wide players are activated and enter the exercise area to create a 4v2 overload.
After the next attempt on goal or turnover, the 2 blue-team wide players enter the exercise area to create a 4v4 scenario.
The teams contest a 4v4 until a goal is scored or the ball goes out of play.
When this happens, the players return to their starting positions (2v2 scenario), and the exercise restarts with the goalkeeper.
Rotate the players after a set period of time so that the players beside the goals get an opportunity to take part.

Players should pay attention to the play at all times, even when occupying a passive role, to ensure that they are ready for the transition.
By being constantly aware of their surroundings, players can prepare themselves for their team losing or regaining possession.
Players must react quickly after their team have scored by immediately adopting an aggressive defensive approach.
Players positioned beside the goals and the goalkeepers must communicate with each other to decide who puts the next ball into play.
Goalkeepers must restart play as quickly as possible to take advantage of a disorganised defence.

Part 3: 3v2 attacking wave game

The 3 blue-team players attack against the 2 orange-team defenders.

The 3v2 scenario is repeated but now in the opposite direction.

The final exercise provides players with exposure to ideal scenarios in which to launch quick counter-attacks. The drill replicates a 3v2 attacking transition in which players are asked to show good movement and perform aggressive actions.

Use just under 1 half of a full-size pitch as the exercise area
Position a full-size goal at either end of the exercise area.
Place a goalkeeper in each goal.
Reduce the width of the exercise area to 30m.
Split the group into 2 teams of 8.
Set up a 3v2 (blues v. oranges) scenario inside the exercise area.
Ask the remaining players to stand beside their team’s goal.

The 3 blue-team players attack the oranges’ goal.
The 2 orange-team defenders try to prevent the blues from scoring.
If the blue team score or the oranges win the ball, the 2 orange-team defenders leave the exercise area and are replaced by 3 team-mates from beside the goal, who now have possession of the ball.
The blue-team player who scored or lost the ball leaves the exercise area, meaning that there are 2 blue-team defenders inside the exercise area.
The 3v2 scenario is repeated but now in the opposite direction.
Once the players are familiar with the game, add an element of competition by keeping count of the goals scored.

Players must enter the exercise area as quickly as possible to take advantage of the opposition’s disorganised defence and maintain the fluency of the exercise.
Players should take advantage of overloads by finding the free player as often as possible.
By running at defenders, the ball carrier can create space for team-mates off the ball.
Clever off-the-ball movement can help to create goalscoring chances. Players must overlap, make crossover runs and decoy runs.
Players must be prepared to quickly change their mindset and approach from defence to attack and vice versa.