Counter Attack is a football (soccer) strategy game which lasts for 90 minutes. The two players ('managers') each control a team of 11 players. Every player has a unique set of skills that the managers try to best utilise during play. Managers control how the players move, pass, dribble, tackle and shoot.

Duels between players on the pitch - whether tackles, shots or headers - are determined by a combination of the unique player skills plus a dice roll. During movement phases, a sand timer is used to keep the pace of the game up.

Counter Attack features everything you'd expect in a game of football, from corners to free kicks, penalties to red cards and injuries.