A Model for Youth Development : System of Play Notes.
Counter Movement
Counter movement is the movement a player makes that is opposite to the direction the ball moves.
and is a great way to find space and an open passing line.
A press will always move to the ball. If a player who is on the team who is in possession, also moves to the ball, then all they are doing is moving with the press and congesting the space around the ball more and more. Instead if this play can move in a direction that is different to / opposite to the press, then they can find a bit of space outside the congested space. If the player on the ball is good enough to find a passing line through the press (through and out of the congested space) then maintaining possession is easier to do, and more importantly finding good opportunities to be more aggressive in attack will be easier, as the press in one space may lead to more open space in another.
When a player 'off the ball' moves to the ball to help the player 'on the ball', it may help the player on the ball find an easier pass , but it may not get the ball out of the press (and so the immediate problem may not have been solved) and may not help the receiver find a good progressive next option. Where as, if a player 'off the ball' finds a space outside the press, and the player on the ball can find them, then this will potentially lead to a much better opportunity to be aggressive. Now this is the important thing. This type of movement and positioning means the player ' on the ball' has to be really good 'on the ball', especially in terms of foot work and 1v1 ability. The player on the ball is given the difficult job, but the reward for this is that the receiving player should be able to play more progressively.
Counter movement requires a high degree of individual technical ability as it makes the moment harder for the player on the ball.
If players do not have this then players 'off the ball' always need to make it easy for the player 'on the ball'.
and subsequently this then often limits what a team as a whole can do when in possession.
And is why the players need a strong individual ability base.
Get a picture of what it means in practice then watch the clips below.
Counter movement on a Counter attack.
Counter Movement in General play