Transitions Soccer Drills

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

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.