Football/Soccer Session (Academy Sessions): Breaking the Lines In / Out Possession

FAW Coach Ed

Islam El-Ghazali

Profile Summary

Name:	Islam El-Ghazali
City:	Lansdowne
Country:	United States of America
Membership:	Adult Member
Sport:	Football/Soccer

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Description

Organisation (Practice Layout & Transition)

Football/Soccer Session Plan Drill (Colour): IN POSSESSION (BREAKING LINES)

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IN POSSESSION (BREAKING LINES)

Primary Focus

Understand when and how to break lines to progress forward and create scoring opportunities

Organisation

10 players organised into:

5 x Greens vs 5 x Reds

Practice is directional (towards one target) with immediate transition moments on regain.

Area Size

25m x 25m, use the same layout but expect more pressure and quicker decisions.

Pitch markings inside the area:

Create 3 horizontal thirds (build / play / finish zones) using flat markers or lines
Create a central channel (optional) to encourage line-breaking passes

Player Numbers

9–10 players total depending on GK

Timings

4 x 2-minute blocks
2-minute rest between blocks
Coach quick restarts (ball supply at the side)

Explanation

The team in possession aims to play through the opposition by breaking a line with:

a split pass into a forward player
a bounce pass / third-man run
a dribble that commits a defender

When the line is broken, the team must attack quickly and attempt to score (or reach the scoring zone).
If possession is lost, the opponent immediately attacks the same target (continuous practice).

Conditions

A point is scored when the attacking team receives a pass in the end/scoring zone after breaking a line
Encourage secure 1st pass on regain (transition into attack)
Optional: limit touches for players in central zone (to speed decisions)

Challenges

Can players:

recognize when to play through, when to go around, and when to go over?
play forward early after regain?
support quickly for the next pass?

Targets

Option 1: End zone target (receive under control = 1 point)
Option 2: Finish to goal (shot on target/goal scoring system)

Progressions (Harder)

Limit touches in central zone (2 touches)
Add a time limit: must break a line within 8 seconds
Remove spare player for more challenge

Regressions (Easier)

Make zones bigger
Allow spare player to stay central permanently
Allow more touches/time

Key Coaching Points (linked to your image principles)

In possession

Confidence to take the ball
Move the ball quickly; find the spare player
Clear decision making: through / around / over
Create and exploit scoring opportunities

Attacking transition

Anticipate transition
Secure the 1st pass
Play forward early
Support quickly; move into attacking shape

Football/Soccer Session Plan Drill (Colour): OUT OF POSSESSION (DEFENDING LINES + STOPPING SWITCHES)

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OUT OF POSSESSION (DEFENDING LINES + STOPPING SWITCHES)

Primary Focus

Improve players’ ability to prevent line-breaking passes and stop switches of play, with immediate defensive transition on loss

Organisation

10 players organised into:

5 x Greens vs 5 x Reds

Practice remains directional and continuous.

Area Size

25m x 25m, use the same layout but expect more pressure and quicker decisions.

Key setup detail (your “red line” concept):

Add a line across the top third to create a Transition Zone
That line defines where turnovers trigger immediate defensive reaction

Player Numbers

10 players total