Footy Eye
en · Language: English

Counter-attacks

A counter-attack is attacking quickly in the seconds after winning the ball, before the opponents can get back into shape.

The first decision after winning the ball decides whether the counter happens at all. A forward pass into space, or a carry into the gap, while the opponents are still pushed up, can turn defence into a chance in a few seconds.

Not every regain is a counter. If the opponents have numbers back, holding the ball and building patiently is usually better than a hopeful pass that gives it straight back.

What to look for

  • Space in behind their midfield or back line
  • A runner already moving forward
  • Numbers: attackers against recovering defenders
  • Carrying the ball to commit a defender before releasing it

The common mistakeTaking a safe sideways pass when the break was on, or forcing a counter that was never there.

Worked plays

16 plays from Footy Eye's training pool, with the best read and why.

  1. Play 1

    The situation
    It’s 2v1 on the break. The last defender backpedals, refusing to commit. What’s the call?
    Best read
    Drive at him until he commits, then release
    Why
    In a 2v1 the ball-carrier’s only job is to make the defender choose. Pass too early and he reads it and steps across the lane; carry into him and the moment he lunges, the release is on. Patience is the weapon — a defender can only cover what you let him see.
    The other options
    • Slide it to your teammate now He steps across the lane and cuts out the pass.
    • Shoot early before the keeper sets The keeper gathers the early shot, and the 2v1 is gone.
    • Cut wide, away from your teammate You drift away from your teammate, into their chaser’s path.

  2. Play 2

    The situation
    You win it deep; their press is stranded upfield. Your midfielder peels into the space it left. First touch?
    Best read
    Hit the midfield outlet and launch the counter
    Why
    A press that commits leaves grass behind it, and the moment you win it that grass is a runway. The outlet into midfield beats the press before it can reset and springs the whole team forward. Recycling to the keeper is the safe touch that hands them their shape back for free.
    The other options
    • Recycle it to the keeper and reset Their press jogs back into shape while your keeper has it.
    • Clip it long to the striker’s channel It’s a 50-50 up the channel, and their press gets back.
    • Roll it square to your full-back Your full-back takes it, and their pressers turn to close him.

  3. Play 3

    The situation
    You break clear but it’s 1v2 — your support is thirty yards back and sprinting. What’s the call?
    Best read
    Shield it and slow until support arrives
    Why
    Numbers decide tempo. In a 3v2 you fly; in a 1v2 you’d be feeding the ball straight to them. Shield it, drop your speed a notch, and let the cavalry arrive — a counter you keep beats a hero ball you lose. Read the count before you read the run.
    The other options
    • Take on both defenders and drive at goal The covering defender nicks it, and they break the other way.
    • Shoot from distance before they close The long-range shot rolls through to their keeper.
    • Knock it long into the corner and chase Their defender gets there first, and your support is still arriving.

  4. Play 4

    The situation
    They’ve had you pinned for ten minutes. You win it near halfway — they’ve everyone back and set.
    Best read
    Keep it — rest with the ball
    Why
    When they’ve had you camped in, possession is oxygen. Their whole side is back and organised, so the counter isn’t on — nobody in behind, no prize for forcing it. Rest with the ball in their half and let your shape and lungs recover. Launching it long just gives them another wave.
    The other options
    • Launch it long and clear your lines Their centre-back heads it back, and the next wave comes at you.
    • Break at once — spring the lone runner The pass runs into their set back four, and they attack again.
    • Slow it down in your own third You keep it, but they push up and the game stays in your half.

  5. Play 5

    The situation
    A goal down, seven minutes left. You carry into their half and their back line is still scrambling.
    Best read
    Play it forward now — release the runner
    Why
    Game management cuts both ways: the clock is your enemy when you’re chasing. Down late, the safe, slow options are the trap — every recycled pass is a second gone and a defender back in his slot. Read the score, not just the ball, and go while the gap is open.
    The other options
    • Slow it down and keep possession Their back line gets set, and the chance is gone.
    • Work it back and rebuild patiently The ball goes back, and every defender is in his slot.
    • Take a touch and wait for support Your support arrives, but so does their whole back line.

  6. Play 6

    The situation
    You break three-v-two. Your carrier drives through the middle, head up, with both defenders backpedalling.
    Best read
    Hold your width in the far channel
    Why
    Two defenders can cover two lanes; the point of a three-v-two is that you own a third. Staying wide keeps the far defender pinned to you, which leaves the carrier one-v-one in the middle. Cutting inside puts two of you on one defender and hands them the overload back.
    The other options
    • Cut inside to support him for the lay-off You drag your marker inside, and the carrier runs into two.
    • Sprint in behind, beyond the last man You’re beyond the last man too early, and the flag goes up.
    • Check back for a square pass The break stalls, and both defenders get time to set.

Train it

Short untimed sessions with the reasoning after every answer.

Train Counter-attacks

Test it

Ten plays, twenty seconds each, one Football IQ from 60 to 140.

Take the Football IQ Test

Shows up in

All tactics