Attacking from the Back
Both keepers throw out at once — each runner receives on the move, feeds the player in the center, and that player turns, dribbles at goal, and shoots from outside the 18.
The attack starts with the keeper's distribution — get out of the back quick and under control, and counter fast enough to feel like a numbers-up break.
Set up · 3 actions · before the kids arrive
- Grab: Cones, a large supply of balls for each end, and your two goals.
- Build: Set up on a half field with a goal at each end, as shown — nothing else to build.
- Place: A keeper in each goal with a large ball supply, a line of about six players on each of two diagonally opposite corners, and two players in the center of the field.
Show me the setup picture
One thing to remember: Building the attack from the back off the keeper's distribution — proper passing, trapping, and shooting, receiving on the run, and countering quickly — with a great deal of fitness when the field grows.
How it runs — the whole game in one sentence
Both keepers distribute at the same time; each receiver advances onto the ball, passes to the center player's feet, and that player turns, dribbles, and shoots outside the 18.
1Organize the players▾
Coach does
Split the team into two groups of about six and line them up on diagonally opposite corners. Put two players in the center of the field and a keeper in each goal with a big pile of balls.
Coach says
Two lines, opposite corners. Two of you in the middle — you're the feeders. Keepers, you start everything.
2Show the jobs▾
Coach does
Walk one rep — the keeper distributes to the first player in the line, who makes an advancing run while receiving the ball. They control it and pass to the feet of the feeder in the center. The feeder controls the pass, turns, dribbles toward the goal, and shoots from outside the 18-yard line. Then the shooter goes to the end of the line and the passer becomes the new center player.
Coach says
Run onto the keeper's ball — control it, feed the middle. Middle — turn, drive, hit it before the 18. Then everybody moves up one job.
3Play▾
Coach does
Run both sides simultaneously and continuously at top speed — that pace is the drill, and on a bigger field it becomes real fitness. Watch the passing, trapping, and shooting on every rep.
Coach says
Top speed, all the way through! Out of the back quick — and under control!
Look for: Quick and under control — the ball out of the back at counter speed without a sloppy touch anywhere in the chain.
4Switch and repeat▾
Coach does
The rotation is built in — shooter to the end of the line, passer to the center. For later rounds, add a defender for a 1v1 with the shooter, have the passer overlap the wing for a 2v1, or extend the field to full size for the extra fitness.
Coach says
Next round there's a defender waiting — same speed, beat them.
If it's not working
If the pattern keeps breaking, freeze it and walk one rep — let each player say their own next job out loud — then run it again at speed.
Want to go deeper? Optional — not needed to run the game.
Why are we doing this?
What are they learning?
How can I change it?
Harder: Add a defender for a 1v1 with the shooter, have the passer overlap the wing for a 2v1, or extend the field to full size for the added fitness element.