Football/Soccer Session (Advanced): Wales session 2. Building out from the back through the thirds.

Playing through the 3rds (15 mins)

Session objectives: 

To develop players and a team’s ability to build out from the back successfully.

Session Function: 

Set up a pitch and split it into thirds, with two mini-goals at each end. Two teams of 5 compete to play through the thirds and score.

• The ball must be passed to progress from one-third to the next. Players cannot dribble with the ball from one-third to the next, but they can travel with the ball within each of the thirds.
• If a player dribbles from one-third to the next, the other team is rewarded with a free-kick.
• Players must be in attacking third to score.
• Play restarts from the team that scored. 

Equipment:

14 flat/small cones

2 goals

12 bibs

• Allow players to dribble through the thirds.
• Allow long balls.
• Allow forward to drop deep to link play.

• SPACING

  Encourage the attacking team to create space by stretching the pitch with their movement.

  As players will need to pass to progress through the thirds, players should move to create space in order to help their team. 

• MOVEMENT

  Players must always support the player with the ball.

  Movement will help the attacking team progress through the thirds.

• CHECKING SHOULDERS

  Players should check their shoulders regularly to help them see their teammates, space and opponents.

  This will help players identify the best space to move into as well as where they can play the next pass.

• BODY SHAPE

  Players should look to receive with an open body shape to help them see the whole pitch. An open body shape

  will allow players to receive on their front or back foot.

  If players are under pressure, receiving on the front foot will help them protect the ball.

• RECEIVING SKILLS

  Players will need to vary how they receive the ball, whether they want to protect the ball or play forwards.

• STAYING ON THE BALL

  If players cannot play forwards or are under pressure, they may need to stay on the ball.

  This may help them create space for themselves or for their teammates. 

• COMBINATION PLAY

  Quick combination play will help with progressing through the thirds and playing around defenders.

• DENY

  Encourage defenders to press together.

  They should work to deny space for the opposition and force play out wide or backwards. 

• NO PLAYING FORWARDS

  Defenders should aim to prevent the attackers from being able to play forwards.

• REGAIN

  Once possession has been won, encourage the attackers to try and attack quickly to exploit space their

  opponents have left.