Coaching theory: The making of successful counterattacks and how to train them – tactical analysis

Counterattacking is the quick transition from defence to attack with the aim of exploiting the opposition when they are at their most vulnerable. The tactic has been treated with increasing importance in modern football. Once perceived as an underdogs best chance of success, it is now a fundamental tactic that all top-level teams incorporate into their game model.

Using the Premier League as an example, both shots and goals created from counterattacks rose significantly in season 2022/23. For several years, coaches have recognised the importance of counterattacks throughout top-level football. Defensively, teams now set up their defensive organisation when they are in possession to minimise the chances of being countered. From an attacking standpoint, they now work thoroughly on trapping or dispossessing teams and launching counterattacks with predetermined movements.

This tactic is now no longer confined to lower-positioned teams, sitting in a low block and launching rare attacks. The top three teams for scoring from counterattacks in the Premier League in the 2022/23 season all finished in the top five. Manchester United scored 10 of their 58 goals (17%) from counterattacks, while Liverpool and Manchester City scored seven each.

This tactical analysis will focus on counterattacks starting in the attacking teams own half. It will analyse the key components that make for a successful counterattack. This analysis will also offer suggestions on how coaches can implement this tactical theory.

Pinning the defender 

The key to defending counterattacks is to delay the play and allow recovering players to regain their position. For the attacking team, the opposite is true. They need to attack at a speed that makes it impossible for the defending team to recover their shape. Along with speed, certain traits increase a teams chances of completing a successful counterattack.

When the attacking team is running at the oppositions backline, one such trait is to pin one defender in place. This is done by dribbling directly at the defender, committing him to engage with the ball. Often in these scenarios, it is the players instinct to attack the space down the side of the defence. This takes the ball further from the goal and, more importantly, allows the defence to shift across towards the ball.

Running into space may be an option for a player with extreme speed. A fast player may be able to outpace his direct opponent. The majority of the time, though, the best option is to keep the widest defender pinned so a teammate can run into the space. The above image shows Marcus Rashford, having picked the ball up in his own half, running directly at Chelseas side centre-back. He is supported by Bruno Fernandes, who is about to make an overlapping run.