3v2 “Klopp Inspired” Shooting Drill

PLAYERS:

+10

TIME:

30 min.

FOCUS:

Shooting

AGE:

U13+

INTENSITY:

8/10

SETUP

Arrange 3 cones in a line about 10 metres outside the box, spaced around 10 metres apart. They represent a striker and two wingers.
Place a small goal on each side of the pitch, outside the box and roughly level with the line of cones.
Have at least 2 attackers waiting at each cone.
Have at least 2 defenders behind the goal line on each side of the goal, with a supply of balls ready.
Place a goalkeeper in goal.
Adjust distances between cones based on the age and skill level of the players.

WHY USE THIS DRILL?

The 3v2 “Klopp Inspired” Shooting Drill is built around the principles of Jürgen Klopp’s gegenpressing Liverpool side. It trains the moment right after the ball is won. Defenders have to move the ball away from danger and out to the small goals on each side, which represent full-backs or midfielders. At the same time, the attackers get a 3v2 overload to work on their finishing and combinations. Both halves of the transition are trained in the same repetition.

This drill particularly focuses on:

Playing Out of Pressure: Defenders learn to lift their heads straight after winning the ball and find the safe outlet wide instead of clearing it aimlessly.
Defending as a Pair: Two defenders against three attackers have to stay compact, shift together and delay rather than dive in.
Finishing in an Overload: Attackers get repeated chances to use a numerical advantage before the defence can recover.
Attacking Combinations: The three attackers time their runs off one another to break the defensive line.

HOW IT WORKS

One of the two defenders starts the game by passing the ball into one of the three attackers at the cones. As soon as the pass is played, both defenders on that side push up towards the attackers. They stay compact and ready to win the ball, and a live 3v2 unfolds towards goal.

The attackers aim to score as quickly as possible. They use varied runs to get in behind and around the two defenders, so encourage different running patterns instead of the same attack every time. If the defenders win the ball, they try to score in one of the small goals on either side of the pitch as fast as possible.

Scoring: Attackers earn 1 point for a goal in the main goal. Defenders earn 2 points for a goal in a small goal. The first team to reach 10 points wins. Adjust the scoring if it looks unfair to either side.

Coaching Flexibility: Vary how the ball is played in – to feet, into space or a deliberately awkward pass – so the attackers have to control it under pressure before the 3v2 starts. Alternate which side of the goal the defenders come from, so both pairs get equal repetitions.

OTHER KEY POINTS

Coach the two defenders to stay compact and shift across as a pair. The drill loses its value if they split and dive in.
Encourage the attackers to attack at speed. The slower the attack, the easier the 3v2 is to defend.
Rotate players every 2-5 minutes to ensure everyone gets involved evenly.
The drill should be seen as inspiration. So feel free to adapt the drill to suit your team’s specific needs or focus areas.