📋 Session Plan
11v11 Build-Out and Counter-Press
A 90-minute session for U16–adult squads integrating build-out from the back with counter-press on transition. Passing and pressing in one session.
A 90-minute session for U16–adult squads integrating build-out from the back with counter-press on transition. Passing and pressing in one session.
Three rondos. When a team wins possession, they immediately press the other rondo group (coach dictates). Trains the counter-press reaction time as a habit from minute 1.
GK distributes short. Full squad in positional shape builds from back. Opposition team of 4 presses. Team in possession must reach the halfway line before shooting. 8 build-outs. Switch press team.
8v8 in 40×30m grid. On ball loss, 5-second press rule applies. If ball not won in 5 seconds, defending team drops into 4-4 block. Two bonus points for turnover in opposition half.
Open 11v11. Bonus: build-out goal (completed without long ball from back, 5+ passes to reach final third before scoring) = 3pts. Counter-press turnover leading to a goal within 10 seconds = 3pts. Standard goal = 1pt.
Identify one successful build-out and one successful counter-press from the session. What made them work? Players answer, not coach.
Clear demonstrations and high energy. Keep the session moving with minimal queuing, and reinforce one or two key coaching points rather than overloading players with information.
Players standing in queues (set up enough stations to keep everyone active) and the session running too long on one activity (keep blocks tight and move on while engagement is high).
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Coaches tip: Post-session recovery nutrition matters as much as the drills themselves — MaxiNutrition's recovery range is built for exactly this.
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Building conditioning between sessions at home? DeerRun UK's home treadmills make it easy to keep up cardio work off the pitch.