KEY IDEAS:

Offense to Defense:

1. Immediate intelligent pressure

• reduce options
• restrict space
• deny penetration

2. Organize behind the pressure

• fill passing lanes
• force opponent to make tough pass

3. Force opponent to play 'rushed'

Defense to Offense:

1. Immediately 'open up' intelligently

• options deep
• options short; maintain possession

2. Look to relieve pressure

• opponents compact: Play over the top or around
• opponents "stretched": Look for gaps

3. Speed of play

• don't wait for pressure
• don't let opponents get organized
• dictate pace

4. Immediate attack or possession

• don't give the ball right back after winning possession

Psychological transition:

1. "Win the ball mentality" where the idea is to force the speed of play beyond the ability of your opponent.
2. "Keep the ball mentality" where the pace of the game must be within the offensive team's ability.

Other concerns:

1. Restarts
2. Goalkeepers role in transition

TRAINING SESSION:

Warm Up: 3 vs 1; 4 vs 2
emphasize possession and support

A) 2 vs 2 + 2 neutral players
Area: 15 x 20
Emphasize transition

B) 4 vs 4 + 4 neutral players
Area: 35 x 45
Same as A. only more numbers
Emphasize transition

C) 7 vs 7 Area: 45 x 60; field divided in two halves (see diagram). 7 vs 6 in one half of the field, 6 try to win the ball, open to teammate in other half. Emphasize possession when numbers up, quick transition from defense to offense.

D) 6 vs 6 + 2 neutral players
Goals plus keepers
Create an environment that varies the situation for each transition. Numbers up/numbers down.

E) 7 vs 7; goals plus keepers
Emphasize transition

Colorado State Director Nate Schotts 'Example on how to train transition'.

Two equal teams, A and B
Big goals plus goalkeepers

Team A starts out with three attackers against B's two defenders. A tries to score on B. As soon as A loses the ball, ie. saved or missed shot or dispossessed, then the three A attackers step off the field. At this point the B players become attackers and get a third player. These three B attackers play against two A defenders who are already standing on the field.

The idea is to make the switch from offense to defense, and vice versa, as quickly as possible.

It is best to walk through the rotation at first so that all players get a grasp of the exercise. It will be chaotic at first, however, it is a great exercise for the physical as well as mental aspect of transitional play.