Vocabulary
8 key words for this lesson
COUNTER-ATTACK
A fast attack launched immediately after winning the ball — while the opposition is still moving forward and out of position.
They counter-attacked immediately after winning possession — three players running forward before the opposition could recover.
TRANSITION
The moment a team switches from attacking to defending — or from defending to attacking. The split second when possession changes.
Their transition from defence to attack is incredibly fast — they go from defending to scoring in seconds.
PACE
Speed — especially the ability to run fast. A player with pace is very quick over short distances.
Her pace is frightening — if she gets the ball in space, no defender can catch her.
IN BEHIND
The space behind the opposition's defensive line — in front of the goalkeeper but behind the last defender.
He always runs in behind — he is always looking to get the ball over the top into the space behind the defence.
ON THE BREAK
During a counter-attack — when your team is breaking forward quickly after winning possession.
They are very dangerous on the break — three fast forwards who can hurt any team in transition.
NUMBERS UP
When your team has more players than the opposition in the attacking area — an advantage in a counter-attack.
They had numbers up — three attackers against two defenders — and they should have scored.
CLINICAL
Very efficient and precise in front of goal — scoring when it matters, without wasting chances.
They were clinical on the counter — they had three chances and scored three goals.
EXPOSED
When a team is vulnerable — caught with defenders out of position, leaving space behind them.
When both full-backs push forward, they are very exposed to the counter-attack — if they lose the ball, there is no cover.
Grammar Focus
Understand the grammar rule behind this lesson's topic
Grammar focus
Focus: First conditional — "If + present simple, will + base verb"
We use the first conditional to talk about real, possible situations in the future. In football, it is perfect for describing tactical plans and what will happen if certain conditions are met. It describes a real possibility — not a dream or wish.
Phrases
6 phrases and their meanings
BREAK FORWARD
To move quickly in attack — to sprint forward from deep when your team wins the ball.
The midfielders break forward immediately when we win possession — they do not wait, they go.
CATCH ON THE BREAK
To counter-attack against a team that has pushed forward — catching them out of position.
If they push high, we will catch them on the break — their full-backs will be too far forward to recover.
RECOVER BACK
To sprint back to your defensive position after the ball is lost — to get goal-side of the ball quickly.
If we lose the ball, everyone must recover back immediately — no one walks, no one stops.
RELEASE QUICKLY
To play the ball forward fast — passing immediately to launch the counter before the opposition recovers.
When we win the ball, release it quickly — the first pass must go forward before they can reorganise.
GET IN BEHIND
To run past the defensive line and receive the ball in the space behind the defenders.
If the full-backs push up, she will get in behind — her pace makes her impossible to stop once she has space.
HIT ON THE COUNTER
To launch a counter-attack — to attack quickly immediately after winning the ball.
We will hit them on the counter if they press us high — their full-backs will be out of position.
On the Pitch
Real phrases used on the pitch and at training — learn them, shout them!
These are phrases used during counter-attacks and transition play.
“Go! Go! Go!”
Attack immediately — run forward now, do not hesitate.
The urgent instruction to attack quickly after winning the ball. There is no time to think — the opposition is out of position and the counter must be launched immediately. "Go! Go! Go!" is one of the most energetic and exciting phrases in football — it signals the start of a counter-attack and everyone must react instantly.
“Stay on your feet!”
Do not slide tackle — wait, keep your position, and make the attacker beat you.
Instruction to defenders facing a counter-attack. If a defender dives in and misses, the attacker is clear. "Stay on your feet" = be patient, do not commit to a tackle, keep your shape. Used when one defender is trying to delay a counter while teammates recover. One wrong challenge can turn a containable situation into a goal.
“Numbers up! Go through!”
You have more players than they have defenders — attack quickly to exploit the advantage.
Shouted when the attacking team realises they have a numerical superiority — three attackers vs two defenders, or two vs one. "Numbers up" means the advantage is there. "Go through" means take it — do not slow down, do not wait, attack now before they recover. This situation does not last long.
“Get back! Sprint!”
The ball has been lost — everyone must recover their defensive position immediately.
Desperate instruction when the team loses the ball in an advanced position. "Sprint" = run as fast as you can. Not walking, not jogging — sprinting. The goal is to recover defensive shape before the opposition can build a dangerous counter. Every second counts when transitioning from attack to defence.
“If they push up, we'll kill them on the break.”
If the opposition moves their defenders forward, we will attack the space they leave behind.
A classic first conditional in football. The tactical plan: sit deep, absorb pressure, then exploit the space in behind if the opposition push up. "Kill them on the break" is vivid, colourful language meaning we will score easily if they push forward. This phrase captures the essence of counter-attacking tactics — patience, then explosion.
“First pass forward!”
When you win the ball, the first pass must go forward — not sideways or back.
Instruction to play quickly in transition. The most dangerous counter-attacks are launched with one forward pass before the opposition can recover. "First pass forward" = do not recycle, do not slow down — play it forward immediately to the striker running in behind. The speed of the transition determines how dangerous the counter is.
Videos
Watch these terms used in context
Dialogue
Read the dialogue and hover the blue words for definitions
Coach Diallo
Sofia
RonaldoTomorrow's opponents push their full-backs very high. This creates a lot of space in behind for us. If they push their full-backs high, what will happen?
If they push high, there will be a lot of space in behind their defensive line. If Amara wins the ball, she will release quickly to the striker.
Exactly. Notice the grammar — "If they push high..." present simple in the if-clause. "...there WILL BE space." Will in the main clause. Never "if they WILL push." Ronaldo — what is the key to a good transition?
Speed. If we win the ball and release it quickly, the opposition will not have time to recover back. We will be numbers up before they can reorganise.
Right. And what happens to us if we push too many players forward and lose the ball?
We will be exposed. If we lose the ball with five players forward, they will hit on the counter and have a 3v2 — maybe even a 2v1.
Exactly. The counter-attack works both ways. If we are not disciplined, they will hurt us. So — what is our plan?
Stay compact and clinical. If we stay patient and disciplined for 90 minutes, our pace will be the difference. One chance, one goal. That is enough.
Exercises
Complete all three exercises to see your final score
Complete the Sentence
Choose the correct answer to complete each sentence.
Complete each first conditional sentence — use present simple in the if-clause and will in the main clause.
1.If their full-backs forward, we
2.We them on the break if they
3.If we compact, we
4.If she the ball in space, no defender
5.If we the ball in their half, everyone
6.If we patient and disciplined, our pace
Matching
Click a word, then click its correct definition.
Click a word on the left, then its definition on the right.
Words
Definitions
Fill in the Blank
Drag the correct words from the word bank to complete each sentence.
Sentence 1
If they push their full-backs high, we— — —the space in behind immediately.
Sentence 2
If their striker gets the ball in space, no defender— — —her — her pace is too much.
Sentence 3
We— — —very quickly if they lose the ball in our half.
Sentence 4
If we stay compact and patient, we— — —dangerous on the break in the final 20 minutes.
Sentence 5
If we lose the ball, everyone must— — —immediately — no one walks.
Sentence 6
We will be numbers up if we— — —the ball quickly before they can recover their shape.
Sentence 7
If we are not disciplined, they— — —us on the counter and we will concede.
Sentence 8
The— — —from defence to attack must be instant — speed of thought, then speed of movement.
Tip: Think about the meaning of each word and what makes sense in the sentence.
Multiple Choice
Choose the best answer for each question about the dialogue.
1.Which first conditional sentence is CORRECT?
2."They are very dangerous on the break." What does "on the break" mean?
3.What is "transition" in football?
4."If they push up, we'll kill them on the break." What does this tactical plan involve?
5.Which part of the first conditional is WRONG?
6.What does "exposed" mean when talking about defending against a counter?
7."Numbers up!" — what does this mean during a counter?
8.What is "pace" in football terms?
Group Activities
Role-play scenarios and discussion questions for group classes
🎯 Choose the Best Response
Work in groups. Choose the best tactical response using first conditional.
Customer says
“The opposition are pushing both full-backs very high. What is our counter-attack plan?”
Salesperson responds…
Customer says
“What should we tell the striker about her role in the counter-attack?”
Salesperson responds…
Customer says
“What is the risk of the counter-attack if we are not careful?”
Salesperson responds…
Customer says
“How do we make sure we are disciplined during the counter?”
Salesperson responds…
🔍 Spot the Mistake
There are three mistakes with the first conditional in this pre-match talk. Find them.
Coach Diallo
If their full-backs push high, we will have space in behind — be ready to run.
Ronaldo
And if we will win the ball in our half, we need to release it forward immediately.
Sofia
If the midfielder gets the ball, I will go immediately — getting in behind is my job.
Coach Diallo
Exactly. And if we lose the ball in their half, everyone will recovers back instantly.
Ronaldo
What if they counter us? If they are numbers up, what do we do?
Coach Diallo
If they will be numbers up, we will need one defender to stay on their feet and delay. If we delay for ten seconds, our teammates will recover back.
✏️ Finish the Salesperson's Line
Complete the tactical briefing using first conditional sentences.
Customer
“Ronaldo: What is our plan if they defend deep and leave no space in behind?”
Salesperson
“Coach Diallo: If they defend very deep, we will need to be patient and build from the back. …”
Customer
“Sofia: What should I do if I receive the ball in transition — should I shoot or wait for support?”
Salesperson
“Coach Diallo: It depends on the situation. If you are one-on-one with the goalkeeper, you will shoot immediately. …”
Customer
“Ronaldo: What is our biggest risk in transition today?”
Salesperson
“Coach Diallo: Our biggest risk is if we lose the ball with too many players forward. …”
Customer
“Sofia: What is the signal to start the counter-attack?”
Salesperson
“Coach Diallo: There is no signal — if you win the ball, you go. No hesitation. …”