Developing The Counter-Attack
Tom Turner, Bradenton 2012
Two Goals
1.Build a Situational Context.
2.Discuss Relevant Training Applications.
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Barca Light!
Arsenal
Examples
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Phases of Play
Counter-Attacking Defending Against The
Counter-Attack
Building vs High Pressing
Restraining Line
Defending From
Building vs Medium
Attacking Defending Behind A Line Of
Restraining Line Confrontation
Building vs Deep
Restraining Line Bunkering
Attacking Restarts Defensive Restarts
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Part I: Context
Back to the Future?
Question
What do the 1974 World Cup and the
Rinus Michels inspired Dutch Vision
(1986) have to do with defending and
counter-attacking in 2012?
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Back to the Future?
Answers
Michels to Cruyff to Barcelona
Positional Organization: A/D
Seal off the Immediate Area
Defend as Early as Possible
Counter (1) or Possess (2)
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Countering vs Building-up?
Tactical Cues
Possession Secured?
Counter-Attacking is a function of Repossessing the Ball
Distance from Goal?
Space Available?
Numerical Situation?
Position of teammates and opponents?
Teammates within supporting range?
Opponents within recovering range?
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Countering vs Building-Up
Related Factors
Strategic vs Tactical Opportunities.
Relationship between attacking style and point
of confrontation?
Sealing the game?
Physical demands of early vs late recovery?
Technical / Tactical Qualities of Attackers?
Physical Qualities of Attackers?
Match Situation (score/time/importance/cards/others)
Attacking to Defend in Transition.
Reverting to Building-Up.
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Forms and Ideas
Individual Actions
Running with the ball
Attacking numbers down
Long Passes: Vertical / Diagonal
Speed of Play / Number of Touches
Movement in Support of the Ball
Quality of Final Passes
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Forms & Ideas
Quality of Finishing
Average number of touches?
Re-spacing / framing?
Disguise?
Combination Play
What is a combination?
Behind defenders
In front of defenders
Creating Passing Lanes Ahead of the Ball
Clearing vertical space
Diagonal running
Arriving in spaces
Inside-outside checks / open passing lanes
Checking back to freeze defenders / open offside space
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Barca Light!
Arsenal
Reprise
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ProZone Statistics (Jose Mourinho)
Chelsea FC (2005-06) - Counter Attacking Play
42% of open play goals from fast Counter Attacks originating from
outside the attacking .
33% from defending turn-overs.
38% from defending MF turn-overs. 71% from Defensive Half
29% from attacking MF turn-overs.
81% penetrated centrally.
38% scored in under 10 secs.
52% of counter attacks involved a long pass (40+ yds).
53% of counter attack goals involved 3 passes or less.
44% of Chelseas goals in open play originated from Slower Build-ups.
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Reading Tactical Cues
What is a Tactical Cue?
Do you help your players understand tactical
cues through training?
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Final Third Tactical Cues?
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Final Third Tactical Cues?
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Middle Third Tactical Cues?
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Middle Third Tactical Cues?
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Middle Third Tactical Cues?
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Back Third Tactical Cues?
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Back Third Tactical Cues?
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Back Third Tactical Cues?
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Back Third Tactical Cues?
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Back Third Tactical Cues?
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Part II: Practice Planning
Practical Application
Transitions have become crucial.
When the opponent is organized defensively it is very difficult to
score. The moment the opponent loses the ball can be the time to
exploit the opportunity of someone being out of position.
Similarly when we lose the ball we must react immediately.
In training I sometimes practice keeping a minimum of
five players behind the ball so that when we lose it we
can keep a good defensive shape.
Jose Mourinho.
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Practical Framework
Counter-Attacking Defending Against The
Counter-Attack
Building vs High Pressing
Restraining Line
Defending From
Building vs Medium
Attacking Defending Behind A Line Of
Restraining Line Confrontation
Building vs Deep
Restraining Line Bunkering
Attacking Restarts Defensive Restarts
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Practical Application
In Groups of Four
A/Step 1: Warm-up Activity
B/Step 2: Small-sided Activity
(Orientation Phase)
C/Step 3: Expanded Small-sided Activity
(Teaching Phase)
D/Step 4: 11v11 Game
(Transfer Phase)
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End.
Questions?
Comments?
Criticisms?
Witticisms?
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