Building from the back

This session is focused on starting attacks from inside the defensive third of the pitch, specifically when playing against a front three that presses high with wide forwards once the centre backs have split. It’s a session that helps the players to see pictures that replicate situations in the 11v11 game.

A highly useful practice, it can be run on half a pitch, working across the width of the pitch. It would typically be delivered as a tactical session, specifically when we want work on developing an ability to build from the back under pressure.

What do I get the players to do?

Building from the back

We’re using 16 outfield players split into a blue defensive team of eight, a red attacking team of six, and two neutral, yellow midfielders.

We set up across the width of half of a full size pitch, making the playing area 76x40 yards with a goal at each end. We mark two 12-yard end zones where the goalkeepers are positioned; two 20-yard zones, each containing a blue back four and an opposing red front three; and a 12x20-yard central zone for the two neutral midfielders, which is flanked by two 12x10-yard wide zones.

Play starts with the goalkeeper, who combines with the blue back four to transfer the ball via the two neutral midfielders to the other blue defenders in the opposite half, as shown [1a].

1a

The neutral midfielders start in the central zone and they can move into the wide zones to receive but they must only move into the wide zone at the same time as the ball. They should use a one- or two-touch pass to move the ball on.

The full backs can also move forward into the wide zones, as shown [1b], replicating moments in matches where they get as high and wide as possible to create a problem for the opposing wide forward.

1b

Once the ball has been transferred successfully into the other half of the playing area, at least one pass must be made between the defenders before the ball can be transferred back again. But if any of the three attackers win the ball, they must attack the goal as quickly as possible to exploit the disorganised defence, as shown [1c].

1c

We keep the score between the two teams, counting the number of successful transfers and the number of goals scored on transition. This is a good way to maintain the desired intensity. If the number of transfers is significantly higher than the number of goals scored, try offering the attackers an incentive, such as goals counting double if they score within five seconds of gaining the ball. This should ensure they remain motivated and continue to press with the desired intensity.

How would you put this into a game situation?

Small-sided game

We progress into a small-sided game, using the same set-up as the previous practice. We’re still using 16 outfield players and two keepers but now each team is divided into a keeper, four defenders and three attackers, starting as shown [2]. The two neutral midfielders start in the central zone and play for the team in possession, but the defenders can bypass the midfielders and play directly to their forwards if necessary.

2

The forwards must try to score in the goal and the attack can be supported by one defender and both neutral midfielders, who are free to make forward runs to give the attacking team a 6v4 overload in the final third.

A further progression can be added by putting one of the midfielders on to each team, making it a 9v9 game.

The lines out of the central zones serve as offside lines.

What are the key things to look out for?

The back four should focus on making the playing area as big as they can, so we want our centre backs to split and the full backs to position themselves as high and wide as possible so that the opposing wide forwards can’t affect all of them.

In this practice, the goalkeeper is challenged to look for the furthest possible forward pass, such as to the centre midfielder or to one of the full backs, and he should try to play the pass with disguise.

If the ball goes into play with the centre back, the full back has to drop down the pitch to create a receiving angle – he needs to find the highest position that he can receive the ball whilst still facing forwards.

The centre backs want to avoid being too wide, otherwise they cut off the pass to the full back as they will be on the same line.

The central midfielders should try to receive on an angle so they can adopt the correct body shape to face forwards and pass with their first touch, which is not possible if they’re on the same line as the ball.

The two central midfielders also want to be on different lines laterally, otherwise they won’t be able to combine with one another.

If the centre backs find themselves in a position where they are too wide and on the same line as the full back, they should look inside for their midfielder, or alternatively turn back and initiate a switch via the keeper.

What are the typical mistakes players might make and how do I avoid them?

The full backs can start too high and, if they don’t receive a pass from the keeper and the ball is played to the centre back, then they have a long way to drop to create an angle for the centre back.

Another common error is that play can be forced when a pass is not on. The keeper is there to switch the play through, so if the centre back is being closed down and forced wide, a disguised turn is a way of eliminating pressure and switching play.