Table of Contents
- Definition of a counter attack in soccer
- Is counter attack a tactical approach?
- How do teams successfully counter attack in soccer?
- When should you consider a counter attacking approach?
- Examples of counter attacking teams in soccer
- Recap: Counter attack in soccer
Lots of teams employ a counter attack in soccer to take their opponents by surprise. But what makes this a viable tactical approach and how exactly does it work?
Here, we explain everything you need to know about a counter attack in soccer and help you decide if this tactical approach is suitable for you and your teammates.
Definition of a counter attack in soccer
A counter attack in soccer is where a team soaks up pressure from their opponents before hitting them on the break. When implemented correctly, counter attacks can be devastating and often lead to goals against the run of play.
To be an effective counter attacking side, you need to be defensively organised and compact and have sufficient speed and threat on the break to counter your opponent’s advances.
Read on to find out everything you need to know about counter attacks in soccer and how this approach can be used to your tactical advantage out on the field.
Is counter attack a tactical approach?
Yes, employing a counter attacking mentality can be regarded as a tactic in soccer. There are lots of different ways to set up a team, and adopting a counter attacking mentality means that you’re happy to concede possession to your opponents for large parts of the game.
Instead of retaining the ball, you are more concerned with using your speed, pace, and incision to attack your opponents when the time is right, utilising the fact that they have committed several players forward to try and break your team down.
You can implement a counter attacking approach from the outset, or you can adapt your gameplay to include counter attacking soccer if the game demands it.
For instance, if you have started the game brightly and sail into an early 2-0 lead, you might decide to sit back and hit your opponents on the counter attack for the rest of the game. Ultimately, it’s a great way to manage a game and can help you see out a victory.
How do teams successfully counter attack in soccer?
There are several elements to a successful counter attack in soccer and you need to ensure that your team is set up to utilise this tactical approach to the game. Here are some of the things you need to consider as you prepare for a successful counter attacking approach:
- You need to be willing to give up the ball for large periods of the soccer game. Counter attacks are only successful if your opponent retains possession for large periods and you strike when they have committed several players forward.
- Pace is critical for counter attacks to work, as you need to transition from defense to attack as quickly as possible for the move to be successful.
- Counter attacking teams also need to be clinical, as they don’t typically have a huge number of chances in a game. It’s imperative that you take the chances that you create from counter attacking moves, as they don’t come along that often.
- Often (but not always) the most successful attacking teams are the underdogs, as it’s a tactical approach that works well if you’re not the strongest team on the field.
So, the way that you employ a counter attacking approach in soccer is crucial to its success, and it’s not necessarily a suitable option for all teams in every game that they play.
When should you consider a counter attacking approach?
Although every team is different, perhaps the best time to consider a counter attacking approach in soccer is when you come up against a stronger team, perhaps one that uses a vertical tiki taka approach or something similar.
The reason for this is that your opponents will naturally dominate the ball if they’re better than you and they will have more possession.
This enables you to setup more defensively, allowing you to contain their play before planning opportunities to counter attack defensively when they commit too many players forward.
You will find that lots of teams counter attack in soccer when they’re playing away from home, as it’s only natural for the home team to see more of the ball.
Again, it’s up to you how you employ the tactic, but soaking up the play and counter attacking when you’re the underdog is likely to work well for you and your teammates.
Examples of counter attacking teams in soccer
Lots of successful European clubs employ counter attacking to their advantage, with Liverpool being a great example. They use their attacking speed down the wings and turnover possession quickly, often devastating their opponents on the break.
In the EPL, Leeds were a brilliant attacking side under Marcelo Bielsa, although there form and pressing has dipped in the time since he left the club.
On their run to the Europa League final in 2022, Glasgow Rangers employed devastating counter attacks to beat the likes of Borussia Dortmund and Braga, and they showcased what was possible when a team sets up to contain and attack.
Throughout a soccer season, you will see lots of different clubs employ counter attacks in soccer and it really just depends on how well they are playing. Done well, it’s a devastating way to setup and a great tactic to employ.
Recap: Counter attack in soccer
The counter attack in soccer is an often-used tactic by coaches and managers who are looking to contain their opponents and attack when they commit too many players forward in attack.
It’s a good idea to counter attack in soccer when you play away from home, as it gives you a great opportunity to break your opponents down when they fancy their chances of winning the fixture.