Break at Pace

Turning defence into attack in three seconds — the fast break from a turnover, support at speed and finishing before they set.

Gaelic football
U16
60 min
16–24 players
2 coaches
Effort 4/5
full width, two-thirds pitch
u16
transition
fast-break
support-running
counter-attack

The PitchPlans coaching teamGAA Award 1 & 2 coaches

Kit: 30 cones, 10 balls, posts or two goals, 20 bibs (2 colours)

Warm-up8 min

Two-Ball Reactions

Setup: Pairs about eight metres apart, two balls between two, spread out.

How it works: Partners pass two balls at once, one hand-passed and one kicked, reacting quickly and resetting, gradually speeding up. Then on the coach's call the attacker turns and sprints ten metres to a cone as if breaking, the partner chases. It sharpens hands, feet and the reaction to go the instant possession changes. Build the pace over the eight minutes.

What to say

“Hands and eyes ready before the ball comes — react, do not wait.”
“First step is explosive — the break is won in the first two strides.”
“Communicate — call the ball, call the run.”

Easier

One ball; slower pace.

Harder

Three balls across a group of three; a longer sprint.

Activity14 min

Three-Second Break

Setup: A 30×20m grid with a target gate at each end, 3v3 in bibs, one ball, a coach counting aloud.

How it works: A possession game where a turnover changes everything — the moment your team wins the ball you have three seconds to get it through the opposite gate while the coach counts down. Beat the count and it is a double point; the team that lost it must sprint back to protect their gate. It drills the instant transition both ways — break the moment you win it, recover the moment you lose it. Reset each score.

What to say

“Win it and go — the first look is forward, always.”
“Support the ball-winner instantly — sprint past for the give-and-go.”
“Lost it? React first, chase back hard, protect the gate.”

Easier

A five-second count; single points.

Harder

STEPR: two-touch only on the break; the ball-winner must be involved in the score.

Activity13 min

Outnumber the Break

Setup: A goal with a keeper, attackers waiting on a line about thirty-five metres out, a feeder; the coach calls numbers to create 2v1, 3v2 and 3v1 breaks.

How it works: The feeder plays a ball to start a break and the coach calls the numbers, so attackers must exploit the overlap quickly before defenders recover — pass early, run hard, finish before it becomes even. Defenders delay and buy time for a recovering teammate. It teaches decision-making on the counter with an extra player. Rotate everyone through attack and defence.

What to say

“Use the extra man — draw the defender, then release at the right moment.”
“Run at pace but under control — the break dies if you rush the pass.”
“Finish quick — the numbers advantage lasts only seconds.”

Easier

Bigger overlaps (3v1); no keeper.

Harder

STEPR: a recovering defender sprints in after two seconds; fewer touches allowed.

The rest of this session is free — along with 3 more this week.

PitchPlans coaching team

Free on PitchPlans — new sessions weekly.