Had a game today where the team had a clear plan. They get the ball up and over as fast as possible. They were good at it. It was their strength. What’s your strategy for beating a team like this? (We were 1-1 at the half. Lost 4-1. I had no subs, which played in to it a bit.)
High line of confrontation, immediate pressure on the ball, zone defense in depth. The distance between lines is adjusted for how far the opponent can boot the ball. The objective is to force a bad pass which drops in front of the back line. That is for novices. If these are intermediate or advanced players with the offside law in effect, the back line can drop back when the 1st attacker looks up to pass. Cover (and recovery runs) is usually the key, unless they have multiple target forwards which requires balance. Usually teams that play kick and run won't be smart enough to play in the gaps.
If you don't need the extra attackers, Keep two back and behind the cherry picker. These defenders need to recognize the change in possession and drop off one higher up and the other further back. Keeper should be ready to play sweeper and get high on the edge of his box. Teammates higher up need to commit to pressuring the outlet ball. As much as possible, force it onto the weak foot.