Transitions
Continuous 3v2 Transition Game
Attack a 3v2 at speed before the defence recovers, and switch from attacking to defending the instant your attack ends: two defenders press and cover against three fresh attackers.
Duration
20 min
Total drill time
Players
14
Recommended
Pitch
Full Pitch
Setup space
Level
Advanced
Skill required
Intensity
High
Physical demand
Age band
U11-U12
Any format
Setup & instructions
Use the penalty area end of a pitch: the real goal on its goal line, and a second full-size goal facing it just past the D, about 26 m from goal line to goal line, with a keeper in each. Mark the sides 28 m apart: on each side a pole in line with each goal and two markers between them. Split the outfield players into two teams of six (two groups of three). Each team waits on the goal line beside the goal it defends: one player in a central spot just outside the post with a ball, and one in each wide spot, the second group a step further out. Start with three from one team attacking two from the other. The moment the ball goes in the goal, out of play, or the keeper saves it out, the next three of the team defending that goal come on at once, already spread: the player with the ball central, the other two wide, and attack the other way. Of the three who just attacked, one goes off and the other two stay on and defend. The one who goes off is whoever is furthest from the new attack: when the central player plays out to one side, the attacker on the far side leaves and jogs back up the side to his team's end. The two who were defending are already beside their own goal, so they simply walk off, picking up the ball on the way and giving it to their group's central player for the next attack. It is always 3v2. If the defenders win the ball or the keeper holds it, the attack is over: play it out and the switch happens as normal.
Setup time: 5 min
Tactical breakdown
This is a continuous transition game seen in professional training: always three attackers against two defenders, both ways, with no stoppage between attacks. It is played at the penalty area end of a pitch, between the real goal and a second full-size goal facing it just past the D, about 26 m apart, with a keeper in each. Each team waits on the goal line beside the goal it defends, in a central spot beside the post and two wide spots, so the next three always come on already spread.
The rotation is what makes it work. The moment the ball goes in the goal, out of play or is saved out, three new players of the team that was defending come on and attack the other way. Of the three who just attacked, two stay on and become the defenders, and one goes off. Who goes off depends on how the new attack starts: the central player plays out to one side, and the attacker on the far side, too far away to help, leaves and jogs back to his end. The two who were defending are standing by their own goal, so they simply walk off, picking up the ball on the way for their group's next attack.
That gives every player the same cycle: attack as one of three, then straight away defend as one of two against fresh legs, then off.
For the attackers, the 3v2 is there to be used: the central player carries at the defence until one defender commits, then releases the ball to the side where the cover defender cannot reach in time. Wide players stay wide and level until the pass, then attack the space inside. Square balls, first-time passes in behind and first-time finishes beat recovering defenders.
For the defenders, it is centre-back defending. The one nearer the ball presses it and shows it outside; the other covers inside at a centre-back's distance, central, ready to step to whoever receives. When the ball is switched, they swap jobs but keep their sides: the cover steps out to press and the presser drops in to cover.
How to run this drill
- Set up the goals. Use the real goal and put a second full-size goal facing it just past the D, about 26 m away, with a keeper in each. Mark the sides 28 m apart with a pole in line with each goal and two markers between.
- Place the waiting players. Two teams of six in groups of three. Each team waits on the goal line beside the goal it defends: one central beside the post with a ball, one in each wide spot.
- Start 3v2. Three from one team attack two from the other at full speed.
- Switch the moment the ball goes in, out or is saved. The next three of the team defending that goal come on at once, already spread, ball central, and attack the other way.
- Two stay, one goes off. Of the three who just attacked, the one furthest from the new attack's first pass goes off and the other two defend as a centre-back pair. The two old defenders walk off by their goal and take the ball with them.
- Keep it continuous. Play for blocks of four to six minutes, then rest. If the defenders win the ball or the keeper holds it, play it out and the switch happens as normal.
Coaching focus
FROM SESSION PLANCoaching points
- Come on spread and moving: ball central, both wide players high and wide from the first step
- The central player carries straight at the defence to make one defender commit
- Release the pass as the defender commits, to the side where the cover defender is furthest away
- Wide players: stay wide and level with the ball until the pass, then attack the space inside
- Finish first time where you can, across the keeper and low; follow every shot in
- Attackers, the moment the ball goes in or out: two turn and recover goal-side at once, the one furthest away gets off quickly
- Defenders: defend like a centre-back pair, one presses the ball and shows it outside, the other covers inside at a few metres' distance
- Defenders: keep your sides; when the ball switches, the cover becomes the presser and the presser drops in to cover, never crossing
- Defenders: buy time, don't dive in; every second the attack slows down is a chance to win it
Common mistakes
- The next three not ready and spread, so the switch is slow and the defenders get set
- The central player passing before a defender commits, so one defender covers two attackers
- Wide players drifting inside early and crowding the ball carrier
- Attackers switching off when their attack ends instead of sprinting back goal-side
- The player going off walking across the new attack instead of getting off quickly
- Both defenders pressing the ball and leaving a free attacker, or the two crossing over
Progressions & regressions
VARIATIONSProgressions
- Six seconds to get a shot away, or the next three come on
- Goals scored first time count double
- The coach calls who goes off at the switch, so attackers must listen and react
- Count a defensive point for every attack kept out, and play first to five
Regressions
- Give the defenders two seconds' start before the next three can go
- Move the second goal closer, to the edge of the D, so every attack reaches shooting range quickly
- Fixed rotation: the same player (for example the central one) always goes off
- Play 3v1 for the first few rounds: only one attacker stays to defend
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