Counter attack is becoming a more common aspect of the game as teams refuse to kick for touch, but instead kicked for territory. This simple session helps the players discover ways to counter attack. It should be a standard session for every season.

Warm up time: 7-10
Session time: 10-15
Development time: 10-15
Game time: 10-15
Warm down time: 7-10

What to think about

• Are the players calling and moving to catch the ball?With players who are unused to fielding kicks, practice with you, as the coach, kicking or throwing a ball for them to catch. Once this is achieved make them move to catch the ball. Finally add a shout from the player telling the others it’s his ball.
• Is the catcher summing up the situation after fielding the ball and making the right decision?Put the catcher in a number of scenarios – catching with plenty of time and catching under a lot of pressure, ensuring support players also read the situation. They must help him make the right decision by moving and talking to him before he catches the ball.

set-up

1. Call for the ball early and move quickly to catch it before it hits the ground.
2. If not involved in the catch, move into a position to collect any dropped balls or to take a pass from the fielding player.
3. Once the ball is caught sum up the situation, then react – run, pass or do both.
4. As support players, take the initial pass on the run and go forward.

What you get your players to do

Split your players into groups of three defenders and three counter attackers. A clearing passer makes the first pass to a player who kicks the ball to one of the three opponents facing him. Meanwhile the kicker’s two team mates chase the kick. The three counter attackers have to field the ball then attack back against the two defenders chasing the kick. A variety of individual and collective techniques and skills can be used to beat the two chasing defenders.