Coaching The Counter-Attack

The idea behind a counter-attack is to quickly transition your offense and attack when the other team gives away possession in the midfield or when they are attacking. When a team is attacking, defensive players will tend to be further up the field than usual helping the attack, and may not be able to quickly adjust defensively. Counter-attacking may involve leaving one or two strikers near the half-way line in the hope that a through ball can be played to catch the opponent off guard.

Defenders and midfielders may find themselves joining in the counter-attack in hopes of outnumbering the opponent on a quick counter-attack. The counter-attack is usually quick because speed plays an important factor in the attack. A counter-attack doesn’t work if the other teams’ defense has time to get behind the ball and get organized.

Watch the video below to see a great example of a counter-attack leading to a beautiful goal.