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Transitions Soccer Drills

If they are able to maximize overloads when winning the ball and then organize well and press when the ball is lost, then your team will be a difficult one to beat. 

Use the transition drills on Cupello to coach your players how to react to various changes in possession. Give them the confidence and ability to make the best decisions when winning or losing the ball and watch as your team begins to read the game well and take advantage of golden opportunities.

Soccer Coaching Tips

At practice when a team wins the ball tell them they must score within 3 passes of gaining possession.

On transition secure the first pass so your players have more chance of keeping possession.

When losing the ball in transition counter-press to try and win it back.

At practice when a team wins the ball tell them they must score within 3 passes of gaining possession.

On transition secure the first pass so your players have more chance of keeping possession.

When losing the ball in transition counter press to try and win it back.

Fun games for a great fitness end of season test
  • Transitions
  • 13-18+

Transition Game 2v2v2

A two-team transitional game that engages players, pushes their fitness at the e...

Difficulty

Players winning the ball and transition into attack
  • Transitions
  • 11-18

Battle For Through Balls

In this activity players are engaged with directional play, reaction in transiti...

Difficulty

Attacking and defending in 2v2s
  • Transitions
  • 8-18

2v2 Attacking and Defending Games

The drill has been structured to allow players multiple opportunity to develop t...

Difficulty

Keeping fit with small sided games
  • Transitions
  • 16-18+

Football Fitness Through Transition

This drill is a brilliant way to build football fitness during the preseason or ...

Difficulty

Girl Defend
  • Defending Transitions
  • 8-18

Defending the Overload

At times players may find themselves in overloaded situations this may only be f...

Difficulty

Free

Girl Defend
  • Defending Transitions
  • 13-18+

Protecting the Middle

A lot of teams defend the middle of the pitch to force the opposition wide to pr...

Difficulty

Players attack in transition
  • Transitions
  • 8-12

5v5+2 small sided game

In this drill players are playing out from the back into wide players with attac...

Difficulty

Players get the ball to the striker
  • Transitions
  • 8-12

3v3 Wave game + strikers

This is all about teams working in threes to create space, keep possession and s...

Difficulty

Girl
  • Attacking Transitions
  • 13-18+

Transition to Score

Transition happens often in games, it is important we work with players on how t...

Difficulty

1v1
  • Defending Transitions
  • 8-18

Small Sided Game - 1v1 Battles

1v1 defending techniques, is key in preventing the opposition from keeping posse...

Difficulty

Supporting Girl
  • Attacking Transitions Midfield Possession Passing
  • 8-18+

Pass or Dribble in End Zones

Creating drills which allow for lots of touches on the ball and provide decision...

Difficulty

Girl Defending
  • Transitions
  • 11-18+

2v4 Recover

Putting players in overloaded situations will help them problem solve and find s...

Difficulty

Girl Tackle
  • Defending Transitions Tactics Midfield
  • 11-18+

Being Compact

Being compact when out of possession is key in stopping the opposition from play...

Difficulty

Girl Tackle
  • Defending Transitions Tactics
  • 11-18+

Defending Outnumbered 

Players face all sorts of pictures and situations in games, and it is important ...

Difficulty

Girl Pass
  • Transitions Rondos Possession Passing
  • 11-18+

Competitive Rondo

Giving players the opportunity to get lots of touches on the ball under differen...

Difficulty

Shooting
  • Attacking Transitions Rondos Fun Games Shooting
  • 8-18

2v1 Finishing

Developing players support, movement and combination play will help players to c...

Difficulty

Taking advantage of counter attacking opportunities in transition
  • Transitions
  • 11-15

Counter Attacking in Transition

In this drill an overload makes counter attacking easier but realistic to the ga...

Difficulty

Girl Slidetackle
  • Attacking Defending Transitions
  • 8-18+

Delay and Play

Delaying the opposition is an important principle to help you win the ball back,...

Difficulty

Girl Defending
  • Defending Transitions Tactics
  • 11-18+

Recovery Runs

It’s important we work on players ability to recover when losing possession, a...

Difficulty

Passing and moving with added difficulty of passing through a gate
  • Transitions
  • 11-15

Transition Through the Gate

The focus on this game is passing and moving with the added difficulty of the pa...

Difficulty

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Transitions FAQs

Coaches regularly discuss problems, ideas, and solutions. Here are the most frequently asked Transitions questions.

What tactics do I use in transitions?

Tactics for transitions

ATTACKING TACTICS – PHASE 1
When your team has the ball follow the following tactics:

  • Spread out to create width and space across the pitch and high up the pitch
  • Players must now move into positions where they can receive the ball to make it easier for teammates to pass
  • Be patient to look for an opening in their opponents’s defence
  • Try to play forward whenever possible looking to pass between the lines and penetrate the defence
  • Make quick decisions to support the player with the ball timing runs into space.
  • Be creative and be prepared to take risks in the final third of the pitch

TRANSITION TACTICS – PHASE 2

  • Recover and shrink quickly into a defensive shape pressing high if possible
  • Cover routes to goal block passes and shots

DEFENDING TACTICS – PHASE 3

  • Once teams have taken on the defensive shape they must now try to control the game without the ball.> Individuals must delay movement of opponents and maintain a shape that contains the opposition
  • Maintain your defensive position behind the ball as long as possible
  • Teams must cover the areas in front of goal making the areas where space becomes > dangerous much smaller
  • Pressure the ball carrier as a unit when the opportunity presents itself
  • Close down passing lanes quickly spotting any possible passing routes
  • Balance in defence is important – if a defender moves out of position to close an opponent down another defender must cover that position
  • Don’t jump in and allow attackers to skip past control the players movement

TRANSITION TACTICS – PHASE 4

  • When your team wins the ball they must now attack at pace making the most of any overloads or players caught upfield

What are the phases of transition?

Phases of transition

PHASE 1 - POSSESSION:

Keeping the ball is vital if teams want to score goals. The organisation of the opposition is key to making this section work. The strength of the opposition to disrupt play is key to this phase.

PHASE 2 - LOSING THE BALL (TRANSITION):

Now the players must quickly recover to get behind the ball, try win it back quickly and prevent the opposition from scoring. Players must look and communicate to prevent opponents from scoring on the counter attack.

PHASE 3 - OPPOSITION IN POSSESSION:

The team must fall back into a defensive shape pressing all over the pitch to make it difficult for the opposition to move the ball into dangerous positions.

PHASE 4 - WINNING THE BALL (TRANSITION):

Your team must try to take advantage of players out of position the minute they lose possession of the ball. You take advantage of your opponent’s weakness with an attack at goal.

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