Core Topic 3: Transition To Attack

Module: Master The Game: 12-18 Years Old Classroom: Use The 360TFT Game Model Original Location: https://www.skool.com/coachingacademy/classroom/62d426ee

TLDR

Transition to Attack focuses on how quickly and effectively players and teams shift from defending to attacking. It’s about recognising the moment of regain, acting with intent, and either attacking directly or rebuilding with control through four core concepts.

Speed of Play emphasises finding space behind lines with the first pass forward because the first few seconds after regaining possession are critical. Players learn to recognise triggers, scan quickly, and play forward to take advantage of disorganisation before opponents reset through directional games, first-pass forward rules, and fast-break transitions.

Exploiting Space involves transition exit passes and attacking the space once the ball is secured. Players must identify and attack open areas through clean exit passes, runners in behind, and playing with tempo. Timing and movement are key to get out, get away, and stretch the opponent through third-man runs, open-play restarts, and 3v2/4v3 scenarios.

Support and Shape teaches starting a new attacking phase when not every transition leads to a break. Players must know when to slow down and rebuild through spacing, shape, and restarting the attack with control. It’s about providing structure behind the ball whilst preparing to go again through support zone rules, shape-based rondos, and delayed press resistance tasks.

Mental Sharpness requires full concentration in all phases because transitions demand alertness. Players develop awareness of space, teammates, and game tempo, always being ready whether it’s a counter or calm restart through multi-phase transition games, scanning cues, and delayed restart SSGs.

This phase links defending and attacking, teaching players how to flip the game with control, clarity, and intent.

Transition to Attack - Core Concepts

This phase focuses on how quickly and effectively players and teams can shift from defending to attacking. It’s about recognising the moment of regain, acting with intent, and either attacking directly or rebuilding with control.

1. Speed of Play (Find Space Behind Lines, First Pass Forward)

The first few seconds after regaining possession are critical.

Players learn to:

The goal is to take advantage of disorganisation, before opponents reset.

In training: directional games, first-pass forward rules, fast-break transitions.

2. Exploiting Space (Transition/Exit Passes, Attack the Space)

Once the ball is secured, players must identify and attack open areas.

This involves clean exit passes, runners in behind, and playing with tempo.

Timing and movement are key — get out, get away, and stretch the opponent.

In training: third-man runs, open-play restarts, and 3v2/4v3 scenarios.

3. Support and Shape (Start a New Attacking Phase, “Start again”)

Not every transition leads to a break. Players must know when to slow it down and rebuild.

This principle teaches spacing, shape, and the ability to restart the attack with control.

It’s about providing structure behind the ball while preparing to go again.

In training: support zone rules, shape-based rondos, delayed press resistance tasks.

4. Mental Sharpness (Full Concentration in All Phases of Play)

Transitions demand alertness. This final principle reinforces staying engaged, before, during, and after the moment of regain.

Players develop:

It’s about always being ready, whether it’s a counter or a calm restart.

In training: multi-phase transition games, scanning cues, and delayed restart SSGs.

Flipping The Game

This phase links defending and attacking. It teaches players how to flip the game on its head, with control, clarity, and intent.

This content is part of the 360TFT Football Coaching Academy - Use The 360TFT Game Model