Football/Soccer Session (Academy Sessions): Specific Practice- Breaking Lines- Playing through the thirds

Breaking Lines (30 mins)

Specific Practice- Breaking Lines- Playing through the thirds

Welsh Way Principle - Breaking Lines

Can we play through, around and over the opposition depending on pressure applied

Oraganisation / Area Size

Area Size Penalty area width to the half way line

7v7 with extra Yellow player that p[lays for team in possession.

6 x Red, 6x Blue and 1 x Yellow bibs

Pitch split in to three zones, middle zones 10mtr

Designated area behind both goals for footballs

Session Details

Pitch is split in to three zones, Zone 1 is a 4 v 2 for the defensive team as the free player (Yellow) can drop in and play in the first two zones. Zone 2 is a 3v2 including the free player. Zone 3 is a 2 v 2.

2 min walk through

Teams take turns passing from one zone to the next before trying to score unopposed so they get used to the session.

4 x 4 min with break for Terminal feedback

Teams try to break the lines, use the extra free player in the first to zones to get it to the strikers to score a goal.

Challenge, conditions & Targets

1. Can the attackers be brave and break the line by threading split passess through the three zones to the strikers in less than 5 passes, extra point

2. Players can move in to next zone by passing the ball forward but must be replaced by a teammate (encourage rotation)

3. Limited amount of touches

4. Time limit before they can score 10-15 sec

5. Extra point if we can play from zone 1 straight in to zone 3

Key points

In possession

1. Make the pitch big (Width and Depth)

2. Try to play through, around and over

3. Can we move the ball quicker

4. Can we entice the defender to create more space to go forward

5. Look to play forward

6. Receive on the half turn, on the back foot, check shoulders

Out of possession

1. Defend narrow

2. Force out wide

3. Protect the middle

4. Prevent split passes