4v4+4 on 60 x 50 m with three teams: after losing the ball you press for six seconds and, if you don't win it back, you drop back
Linkalde exercise
How it works
- Who starts
- A1 with the ball in the centre; A2, A3 and A4 spread out ahead and to the sides; the reds in a block near their goal and the yellows in their half.
- Who takes part
- Twelve players in three teams of four: A1 to A4, R1 to R4 and Y1 to Y4.
- What the ball does
- The blues combine, lose the ball to an interception by R4, press for six seconds and, failing to win it back, R4 passes to R2, who shoots against the yellows.
- How to score
- One point per goal and one point to the team that wins the ball back within the six seconds.
- When it ends
- With a goal, a save, the ball going out or a steal by the yellows, and when the four minutes of the set are up.
- How it restarts
- The team that was attacking restarts from the centre with a new ball from the coach.
- How players rotate
- The roles change in a chain at the end of the set: blues to defend, reds to drop back and yellows to attack.
Number of players
12-12 players
Format
Three teams of 4 with transition
Recommended
4 × 20 min
Rest 60s · High intensity
Space
Small-sided space
Space
50×60 m
Goal
Train the transition from attack to defence: react to losing the ball with immediate pressure and, if that fails, drop back quickly and in an organised way. Also work on the direct counter-attack when winning the ball.
Description
A 60 x 50 m pitch with a 4 m mini goal on each end line and a dashed line at halfway. Three teams of four play: blues (A1 to A4), reds (R1 to R4) and yellows (Y1 to Y4). The blues attack the mini goal on the right against the reds, who defend it in a 4v4. The yellows wait in the left half, dropped back near their mini goal, and cannot leave that half until a red crosses the halfway line with the ball. A1 starts with the ball in the centre. The blues combine to reach the goal. If they lose the ball, they have six seconds to press the ball carrier and win it back in their attacking zone. If they win it back, they keep attacking. If the six seconds pass without success, they run back until they are behind the line of the ball and the reds attack the goal on the left against the yellows, with a maximum of three passes before shooting. The play ends with a goal, a save, the ball going out or a steal by the yellows.
Step by step
- 1
A1 passes to A2, who is wide on the top touchline.
- 2
A2 passes to A4, who plays at the edge of the reds, while R3 comes down to close him.
- 3
A4 tries a pass to A3 and R4 cuts it out. The six-second count starts.
- 4
R4 dribbles towards halfway and the blues close in on him: A3, A4 and A1 press.
- 5
If the six seconds pass without a steal, the blues run back to drop in. R2 makes a run and R4 passes to him.
- 6
R2 receives and shoots at the goal on the left against the yellows, who defend from their zone.
- 7
Rotation: at the end of the set the three teams change roles in a chain.
Rules
The blues have six seconds after losing the ball to press; the coach counts them out loud. The reds who win the ball can attack the opposite goal with a maximum of three passes and without stopping. The yellows defend their goal from the halfway line and do not come out earlier. One point per goal for a team; one point to the team that wins the ball back within the six seconds. Each set lasts four minutes.
Equipment
- Balls
- Cones
- Bibs in 3 colours
- 2 mini goals
Physical focus
Recommended times by goal
- Tactical: 4 × 5' · rest 1' · High intensityOrientativo
Rotation and restart
At the end of each set the roles change in a chain: the blues go to defend the goal on the right, the reds to the drop-back zone and the yellows to attack. The three teams return to their starting positions and another set starts with a new ball.
Coaching points
- When the ball is lost, chase it with two or three players, not just one.
- The nearest player presses and the rest close the passing lanes.
- If you can't get there, don't chase: run back through the middle until you are behind the line of the ball.
- The yellows stay close together and do not come out early.
- When winning the ball, attack quickly into the free space, without stopping to think.
Common mistakes
The blues press one by one and the opponent escapes.
How to correct: Press together and close the passing lanes out.
After the six seconds the blues keep chasing instead of dropping back.
How to correct: Stop the chase on the coach's call and run back towards your own goal.
The yellows come out too early and leave space behind them.
How to correct: Hold the position until the ball crosses the halfway line.
Questions for the players
- “How do you decide between pressing or dropping back right after losing the ball?”
- “What do the players who are not near the ball do during the six seconds?”
Levels
- A · easyTen seconds to press and no limit on passes in the counter-attack.
- B · standardAs described.
- C · advancedFour seconds to press and the reds can only make two passes before shooting.
If you have fewer or more players
- With 9 fewer: Play three teams of three with the 4 m mini goals and the six seconds become five. (Three teams of 3 with transition)
- With more: Set up a second identical pitch alongside and the groups alternate by sets. (Two pitches with three teams of 4)
- With odd numbers: The extra player acts as a joker for the attacking team, without being able to shoot.
Age
Variations
- Goalkeeper in one goal. A goalkeeper defends the yellows' goal and the shot is always taken against him.
- Pressing without a count. No time limit: the coach decides out loud when they switch from pressing to dropping back.
Source: Gesdep (adaptado)