FAST BREAK ATTACKS FROM THE COURT TO THE PITCH!

Transcription

1 FAST BREAK ATTACKS FROM THE COURT TO THE PITCH!

2 Introduction Teams are becoming increasingly aware of their opponent s strengths and are more tactically astute in being able to deal with any potential threats. When a team is organised defensively, often with ten players behind the ball, it is referred to as the block. The challenge for the attacking team is to beat the block. This stand off situation is often apparent in major tournaments where losing games is potentially catastrophic, leading to teams becoming cautious and very compact. The Italians welcome and lull you and seduce you into their soft embrace and score a goal like the thrust of a dagger! (Dutch art critic Rudi Fuchs, speaking of Marco Tardelli, Italy 3-1 West Germany, World Cup final, 11/07/1982) Drawing out your opponents, enticing them to overcommit, retrieving the ball and hitting them whilst they are out of balance is now a common tactic used within the game. Counter attacking can be devastating and is used by some of the top teams as a productive way of achieving shots at goal and ultimately scoring. Key to this tactic are sound understanding, cohesion, speed and precision. This article aims to look at transitions and counter attacking with a specific focus on running with the ball as the significant principle. Enjoy! Liam & Neil

3 Definition Counter Attack: 1. An attack in reply to an attack. Taken from UEFA Technical Report Euro 2008

4 Quote We may not have a lot of possession but as soon as we get the ball I want my team to show character and go forward and score. We have defended very well so far this term and we've done very well on the counter attack Press Conference before PSG beat Barcelona in UEFA Champions League Quarter Final (Reuters, 1 April 2013)

5 Race Against TIME 76% of all goals are scored within 16 seconds of the regain

6 Quote We don't want ball possession for a long time like Barcelona. I want the ball in the other net in 8 seconds! Press Conference before Euro 2012

7 Fast Break EPL Teams 1st Taken From

8 Quote 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 still keep a good defensive shape. The players must learn to read the game when to press and when to return to their defensive positions. Everybody says that set plays win most games, but I think it is more about transitions Taken from Jose Mourinho: Made in Portugal - The Authorised Biography (Lourenco, 2004)

9 Chelsea FC under Jose Mourinho (2005/6 Season) 42% of open play goals from fast counter attacks originating from outside the attacking ¼. 33% from the defending ¼ regains. 38% from the defending MF ¼ regains. 29% from the attacking MF ¼ regains. 81% penetrated centrally for the strike. 38% scored in under 10 seconds. 52% of counter attacks involved a long pass (40yards+). 53% of counter attack goals involved 3 passes or less. 44% of Chelsea s goals in free play originated from slower build ups. Taken from Dick Bate, Future Game Presentation (2012)

10 Champions League 2010/11 Team Goals Passes on average leading to a goal 1* 7 6 2* * All under 6 passes! * All quarter finalists 5* 3 3.3

11 Quote There is only one ball in a game of football, and usually when a team has it they are organised and the opponents are organised too. Every player knows more or less what to do. But in transition the opposition are not organised. That's the moment when you can strike, and it makes transition very important. You get the ball, and what you do right then is crucial because the other team is out of balance. Michel Laudrup on the transition between being in and out of possession

12 Transitions (please note colours) Are Opposition Organised? Build & Construct! Defending REGAIN the ball (Transition) Attacking Are Opposition Unorganised? Counter & Dissect!

13 16 seconds from BREAK up! SET up BREAK up SPLIT up PLAY up MOVE up CLOSE up FINISH up How will you organise defensively? (early, mid or late pressure block?) Regain the ball Create space quickly Pass forward (feet or space) or Run forward with the ball Move team forward to support the attack / secure key paces Secure behind the ball prepared in case they counter your counter Score!

14 Specific Practical Focus SET up BREAK up SPLIT up How will you organise defensively? (early, mid or late pressure block?) Regain the ball Create space quickly PLAY up up Run forward with the ball Run with the ball MOVE up CLOSE up FINISH up Move team forward to support the attack / secure key paces Secure behind the ball prepared in case they counter your counter Score!

15 Examples of Transition (B.Dortmund) SET up / BREAK up PLAY up FINISH up Here the team defend with a mid defensive block and apply strong pressure around the half way line. The moment of transition - the ball is recovered and the attack begins. As the opposition are out of balance (and retreating) there is space to run the ball forward quickly. Imperative that players make forward runs in front of the ball. The race against time (before the opposition regains its structure) is WON. 10:16 seconds after the regain, the ball has ended up in the opposition s goal. Tackle made Ball quickly moved away from pressure Numbers around the ball Run with ball to 0:0100 attack and attract 00:1016

16 Counter Attacking Methods of High Defensive Block In Attacking Half: (Pressing Early) 1. Press early & steal combine quickly and shoot. Mid/Low Defensive Block In Own Half: (Defending Later Dropping & Screening) 2. Regain the ball and play into your forwards feet with runners from deep combine with quick succession of passes to create shooting opportunity. 3. Regain the ball and run with the ball forward into open spaces. 4. Regain the ball and look to play in the depth behind the opposition back line.

17 Practical Work

18 Considerations for Practical Work Set Scene the scenario (Link to real game) Game Realistic through game practices Time Constraints enforce & manage (realism) Overloads initially Player Experimentation of possible strategies Best Organisational Format whole/part/whole Realistic Practices must look like the game High Physical Demand high intensity work Minimal Interventions when needed

19 Whole/Part/Whole Method Start & End Here Needed? Based on observations Whole The Game Realistic Theme Part Practice(s) Stay in the game or break it down? Coach to observe: Is the game working? Are the players performing well? Do the players understand? Do they have the tools to succeed? Does it need to be broken down? Everyone or a specific player?

20 Some Benefits of Whole/Part/Whole Method 1. Players enjoy games the most! 2. Takes into account prior learning (appropriate starting point). 3. Games allows you to assess prior understanding/ability (within a game format). 4. Part practices enable you to break down key elements that need work. 5. Players can see connection between the game, the practices and the need to work on a specific technical theme. 6. Differentiation part practices can be used for individuals, small groups or whole squad who needs what? 7. Potentially more physical activity if managed.

21 Whole; Scenario Based Small-Sided Game (The Game) Organisation: Numbers to suit. Pitch size to suit. Pitch split into thirds for reference. Conditions: 4 minute game high intensity. First team to 5 goals. If no team wins, there is a forfeit for all players. Team are encouraged to leave 2 players back to defend whilst other players are readily challenged to be adventurous! Scenario: Countering against Barca! The above condition is designed to replicate a team committing the majority of their team forward to attack, potentially creating a counter attacking opportunity for the opposition should they regain the ball deep. Key Coaching Points: Set up. Break up. Split up. Play up. Move up. Finish up.

22 Part Practice 1; Technical Practice (Beginners) Organisation: Numbers to suit. Area size to suit. Player 1 runs with the ball at speed down the channel. Once beyond the mannequin, they play a pass with the outside of their foot to player 2. Player 2 receives the ball and travels back in the opposite direction to player 3. Repeat. 1 3 Progression: Once understood the players are now put under pressure from behind. After passing the ball the player must continue to run around the orange cone. Once around they chase the receiving player as they travel with the ball to the other end. Keep individual scores - points are awarded to the player running with the ball for 1) getting to the other end without being tagged on the back by the chaser OR 2) without the chaser getting to the ball. Key Coaching Points: 1. First touch. 2. Running with the ball at optimal seed using laces. 3. Awareness as travelling. 4. Timing of pass. 5. Execution of pass. 6. Reactions! 2

23 Part Practice 2; Squad Wave Practice (Intermediate) Organisation: Numbers to suit. Pitch size to suit. Pitch split into 3 areas as in diagram. Two nominated strikers #9 s remain in position throughout. Practice starts with GK playing to the 2 midfield players #4 and #8. From this moment they have only 8 seconds to score! They play 2v1 against #9 with the aim of running the ball through area 2. Once in area 3 they join #9 and play 3v2 to score. When the attack ends the practice works the other way with the GK serving to #5 and #6. Two new black defenders have moved into position at the opposite end. #4 and #8 recover off the field to their end. If the defenders win the ball at any stage they launch a quick counter attack and the practice continues. Rotation of players: Defend Attack Rest. Key Coaching Points: 1. Try to take first touch forward where possible. 2. Look to attack space in front by running with the ball at speed (try to get through the 3 areas as quickly as possible). 3. When to stay on the ball and when to pass. 4. Movement in front of the ball. 5. Finishing. Area 1 Area 2 Area 3

24 Part Practice 3; Squad Conditioned Game (Advanced) Organisation: Numbers to suit. Pitch size to suit. Pitch split into thirds for reference only. Here, 8v8 (see diagram 1). One team ( ) attacks as per normal game rules. Other team ( ) looks to counter attack upon regaining possession and has a time limit (e.g. 8 seconds to score). Wherever they win the ball back influences who can defend from the opposition. Only the opponents goal side of the ball at the moment of transition can defend see diagram (here, both strikers would be out of the game and could not defend or influence the opposition). This condition ensures random overloads and varying start positions of counter attack. Rotate team roles after a set time period. Rule also applies with restarts, esp. throw ins. Key Coaching Points: Set up. Break up. Split up. Play up. Move up. Finish up.

25 Player Challenges (examples) Q. Can you try To ensure that all of your players have the ball in front of them when defending? To make your first action in possession a forward one? (i.e. pass, 1 st touch, RWTB) To get 4 of your players in advance of the ball when your team have possession? To score within 8 seconds of regaining possession? Work out when the counter attack opportunity is lost and to simply keep possession?

26 Key Techniques & Skills Defending: Pressing When & how Dropping When & how Screening forward passes Anticipating, reading opposition's intentions & intercepting skills Containing Skills Attacking: Running with the ball Dribbling Passing (Forward / Short / Long / Off The Run) Forward movement in front of the ball Combination play inc. 1-touch passes Crossing Finishing (all types) Explosive Skills

27 Liam Neil Lead Youth Development Phase Coach & Under 16 s Head Coach FA Level 1 & 2 Coach Educator Football Development Manager Academy Under 15 s Coach FA Level 1 & 2 Coach Educator

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