Connect to the counter

’Counter attack’ can be defined as retrieving a kick and then running that kick back.

Rightly, the main focus in training is on catching that kick, and the movements of the catcher and the immediate support players.

The catcher can attack themselves, or pass to a support player, which immediately moves the point of attack. 

Most kick-chases will have one or two front chasers and then a line of defenders, so the decision to pass or run depends on where those defenders are.

Whatever the lines run, or passes made, the other support players need to work out where to run, to connect in the most effective way. 

Some will need to be in immediate support, perhaps for a pass, or to help retain possession if the carrier is tackled. Others will need to create some width in the attack.

Width in attack

A chasing team is often exposed. Unless they are extremely disciplined, it’s likely that they will be focused on the ball, leaving gaps on one or both flanks. 

That means that the receiving team should exploit those gaps, if they can. 

This width might be exposed from the initial attack. The catcher runs forward, engaging the chasers – that draws in the defence. 

If other attackers can position themselves in the wide channels, two quick passes can create possible mismatches, or simply a space to attack.

Therefore, some of the ball carrier’s supporters should run towards them. Others should run into positions to attack wide.

Practising the counter attack

So much of the role of the support player depends on the kick and the relative positions of all the other players.

To practise the roles of support players, I would start with two things:

• A quick drawing: Either on a flip chart or just a piece of note paper, draw out the initial and final positions for players, so they can understand the shape they want to aim for.
• Walkthrough: In a very small area, I would get the players to walk through where they would go. For example, in a 20m box, position them as they would be for a set piece or phase play. Then, throw the ball to one of the backfield players – they walk into the most effective counter-attacking positions.

Trying to make it more realistic, and especially with just one side’s worth of players, I use this session. 

Randomise the potential starting points, plus mix up who’s going to attack. If a team expects to counter attack, they will be already moving into position, whereas, in reality, they only think that at the last moment.