Forward Counter Pressing (Gegenpressing)

By Chris Kouns
USSF A License (USSF Coaching Education Instructor) – NSCAA Premier Diploma (NSCAA Coaching Education Associate Staff Coach) – Head Women’s Soccer Coach – Georgia Gwinnett College

In these activities we are working on our forwards ability to counter press and win the ball back quickly after losing possession.

Exercise #1

In an area roughly 20 x 10 (depending on the technical ability of your players and the defensive acuity of your focus defending group) you will play 3 v 3 to an end line. There is a midline in the grid that will help signify the area of the field to press or to recover. The ball will always begin on an end line and that way the opportunity for the forwards to begin reading the cues to mentally prepare themselves to counter press.

Coaching Points

1. Attacking shape between the three players should be wide enough to open up the defenders yet close enough to compact the space immediately when the ball is lost.
2. Focus on the moment that the ball “appears” to be lost and the reaction of those other attacking players to immediately transition both their mindset and position in order to win it back.
3. Clarify for the players the type of counter press you would like them to utilize (zone, man to man, etc.) and then make sure they are clear on the expectations
4. If you are going to set a “clock” in order to help them know when it is “too long” to continue to counter press make sure they are clear on where to reassemble and make a defending block
5. Counter press cues to read: a) player on ball has bad touch b) player on ball is outnumbered c) player on the ball has their back to the field and support

Exercise #2

In an area roughly 40 x 44 (depending on the technical ability of your players and the defensive acuity of your focus defending group) you will play 5 (3 forwards and 2 midfielders) v 4 (defenders) to a goal. In addition to the back four you can put a GK in the goal and then choose how you want to incorporate this player into the pressing activity. Outside of the 18 yard box you will divide the space into four zones. As the four players attack they can go directly to goal, however, when they lose (or are about to lose the ball) that is the focus of your coaching.

Coaching Points

1. Within the attacking shape of the five players try to make sure that between the forwards and the midfielders there is always an opportunity to overload the side where the entry pass will be played. Thus, if it is lost the distance to counter press will be less.
2. When possession is lost the three forwards should immediately look to compact the area around the ball to cut off the player options or the space where the ball might escape.
3. In addition the midfield players should also look to compact the field so that all five players are in two to two and a half zones around the lost ball.
4. Upon winning the ball back the focus should be to get a shot on goal within three passes if possible to take advantage of the shifting defensive unit.
5. If you are going to set a “clock” in order to help them know when it is “too long” to continue to counter press make sure they are clear on where to reassemble and make a defending block
6. If the clock expires make sure the forwards and able to recognize their new point of confrontation so that they can drop, make a solid traditional defending block and reorganize themselves to win the ball back.
7. When the defenders win the ball they should attempt to keep possession and build to the top of the divided zone. They can restart after crossing that top line.

Exercise #3

In an area roughly full field (depending on the technical ability of your players and the defensive acuity of your focus defending group) you will play 9 (GK plus 2 backs – 3 midfielders – 3 forwards) vs. 7 (GK plus two defenders – three midfielders – 1 forward). Your focus will be on the team of nine players. Divide the field into thirds so that there will be designated “recovery lines” where the counter pressing group can reorganize should they not win the ball back for an immediate transition. The activity always starts with the nine working the ball from the back. Both teams are live going to goals.

Coaching Points

1. The key will be to make sure the nine players do not get too many numbers in advance of the ball. This will ensure that (when) the ball is lost there will be adequate numbers to quickly overload the player who just won the ball and maximize our counter press.
2. As the ball travels forward the GK/defenders and midfielders should compact the field forward so that the distance from the back of their team is roughly 40 – 50 yards. This will also allow the team to quickly close any space or options for the ball to get out.
3. The closest forwards (if within 5 or 6 yards) should immediately close on the ball that has been turned over. No matter which type of counter press you prefer to use the player on the ball should feel the immediate pressure of the forwards.
4. As they close on the ball the third forward should allow themselves to be seen to help make the player on the ball think twice about passing in that direction, but, in reality they are preparing themselves to spring forward in the attack once the ball is won by their fellow forwards.
5. Use the cones as lines of confrontation to help the team quickly reorganize defensively should they fail in their counter press or should the ball escape due to the distance from defenders.

By Chris Kouns: USSF A License (USSF Coaching Education Instructor) – NSCAA Premier Diploma (NSCAA Coaching Education Associate Staff Coach) – Head Coach Georgia Gwinnet College Women’s Soccer (GA)