Reader, There is no doubt the game of football is getting quicker at the highest level. I like to think of it as ‘high speed chess.’ In recent years, we’ve seen teams like Liverpool have great success with highly aggressive counter-pressing and in 2016 we saw Leicester City win a Premier League title that no one expected which was based on organised defence and quick counter attack in behind. Transition is that ‘in between’ moment in football where we either go from defending to attack or out of possession to in possession and vice versa. Those seconds in between can often be chaotic, disorganised and lack structure. This in turn creates a lot of opportunities to exploit a disconnected defence, or react quickly to pressure our opponent and win the ball back. So how do we coach it? Transition can be coached from 1v1 moments, overload games, small sided games, right through to the 11v11 game. Firstly, we have to keep our practice design realistic (or representative of the game). In a 1v1 scenario, we might recreate a turnover and focus on defenders getting up to the ball, pressing and winning it back with a securing pass to keep possession or dribbling out with the ball. Similarly, we might set a team up in a small sided game where they drop off to defend deep, creating space in front of them to attack quickly when they win the ball. Or, we could use positional games such as a 4v4+3 to encourage quick reactions when losing the ball (to press or organise) or work with players to take up good positions quickly to retain possession.
Three things to consider.
How often do you include transition in your sessions or programme?
Ensure you don’t just focus on the counter-attacking moment, but support players with quick reactions to press or re-organise out of possession.
Can you ensure your practice is realistic, in an area of the pitch, or between players on opposite sides who might find themselves in the exact same situation within the game?
One thing for you to try this week.
Plan a practice with at least three components which focus on transition from 1v1 to 3v3 or small sided into the game itself. Reflect on what transfers into the game, and what might be relevant for both the individuals and units involved in those transition moments. Check out these session plans if you need inspiration.
One critical resource on the topic.
Check out this PDP Live Session with world-class coach and PDP Coaching Advisor, Dan Cooke. Dan delivers a 3v2 counter attacking practice which focuses on physical outcomes through repetition of transition moments.
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