Annual training plan · U14–U23

Week 7: Playing Out from the Back – Centre-Backs & Holding Midfielder

4 complete training sessions with 16 drills – created by licensed coaches. Open every drill in the easy2coach web app with one click.

This week’s focus

The last week of pre-season is here. By now, tactical, technical and fitness foundations for the start of the new season have been laid. The last days before the start are therefore used to work on the build-up.

In the 1st week, the work covers playing out from the back and the tasks of the centre-back, the holding midfielder and the full-back. In the following 2 weeks, the build-up will be deepened further.

It starts with the short playing out from the back, which is a basic requirement for building up play in a controlled way.

In the following days, basic behaviour patterns for the positions mentioned are taught, as well as a sensible distribution of space.

In all sessions, besides the build-up focus, speed and coordination are refined once more.

Author Luis Österlein

Session 1

4 drills

To be able to initiate and carry out controlled build-up play, a sensible distribution of the players across the space is necessary.

Beyond that, the players also need to be taught solutions for when the opposing team presses high and so makes it harder to play out short from the back.

These options are taught in Exercise 1 and can then be put into practice in a match-like way in Exercise 3.

In Exercise 2 work continues on speed, both with and without the ball. To round off the session, work is again done on building up play, and on finishing as well.

Coaching points for this session

GENERAL:

  • Create width and depth
  • Tie up opponents
  • Exploit the overload
  • Centre-backs show for the ball open to the direction of play, so as to be able to take the ball straight forward

LONG BALL IN THE BUILD-UP:

  • Push up and stay compact
  • Overload the side
  • Designate a target player
  • Create an overload near the ball
Drill 1

Building Up Play in Free Play

15 min

Play is free and without opponents; the players are to internalise the running paths. Play always starts from the goalkeeper or from a centre-back.

  • The centre-backs move apart to the width of the penalty area.
  • The holding midfielder shows for the ball centrally.
  • The full-backs push high.
  • The front strikers move close together in order to create space in the wide areas.
  • On a long goal kick, the goalkeeper gives a signal — raising an arm — whereupon all the players close up in the centre. This increases the chance of winning the ball.

Progression: Let two, later three passive opponents act as strikers and vary how wide and how high up they stand.

Equipment & set-up

Pitch: One goal.

Equipment: 1 goal and several balls.

Players: One goalkeeper, two centre-backs, two full-backs, one holding midfielder and the front strikers.

Coaching points
  • If the strikers stand wide and high: the holding midfielder shows for the ball in the gap, the centre-backs drop off deep next to the penalty area lines.
  • If there is a lot of space on the wing: a chipped ball to the full-back.
  • If the holding midfielder has an opponent behind: the holding midfielder nearest the ball pulls away, the one furthest from the ball comes short.
Drill 2

Acceleration with the Ball

15 min
  • On the coach's signal, the first players dribble round cone B.
  • They pass to the second player of their group and sprint over the finishing line C.
Equipment & set-up

Pitch: Ten cones mark the starting points, the turning point and the finishing line.

Equipment: 10 cones and several balls.

Players: The players are spread evenly over the three or more starting cones A. The first player in each case has a ball.

Coaching points
  • When dribbling, look up from the ball.
  • After the pass, explode into the sprint to the finishing line.
Drill 3

Build-Up Play, Building Up from the Back, Funnel Game

30 min
  • Play is started by the goalkeeper via one of the two centre-backs.
  • Team Red begins pressing about 25 metres in front of the goal.
  • Play is free: Green has to get over the dribbling line, Red can counter-attack on the goal.
  • The team playing with fewer players tries to disrupt the build-up and to counter-attack.

Instructions:

  • The full-backs create width and stand wide in front of the penalty area on the edges of the penalty area.
  • The centre-backs push up and take up a high position.
  • The central midfielders form triangles and create passing options.
  • Strikers and wingers create depth.
Equipment & set-up

Pitch: One goal; cones set a dribbling line at two thirds of the pitch.

Equipment: 1 goal, cones and several balls.

Players: The players are split into 10 vs 6 to 10, plus a goalkeeper.

Coaching points
  • Green can create width thanks to the overload.
  • Demand quick combinations.
Drill 4

Building Up Play via the Goalkeeper

20 min

There are two variations that can be trained:

  • Variation 1: A back pass from one player to the goalkeeper. The goalkeeper has to decide quickly which of the other two players to pass the ball to in order to switch play.
  • Variation 2: A shot on goal from one player. The goalkeeper has to start play quickly after saving the ball or fetching it out of the goal.

Progression: While one player shoots, one of the other two takes a ball in order to finish afterwards. The goalkeeper then also has to decide which player does not have a ball in order to play that player in.

Equipment & set-up

Pitch: One goal; three dummies or tall cones stand as opponents about 15 to 20 metres from the goal line.

Equipment: 1 goal, 3 dummies or tall cones and several balls.

Players: One goalkeeper and three outfield players who show for the ball for the build-up and move in their positions.

Coaching points
  • The players are constantly on the move and show for the ball.
The complete session as a ready-made training plan – with animated drills in the web app. Go to the web app

Session 2

4 drills

For a long time, the centre-back position was largely associated with defensive tasks. But the role of the central defender has changed greatly. This player is regarded as a modern playmaker who initiates the build-up.

A task that carries a lot of responsibility and is also technically very demanding. The centre-back must be able to play long-range, accurate passes, dribble at opponents decisively and at the same time keep an eye on what is happening in the game.

Coaching points for this session
  • Dribble forward decisively but not hastily
  • dribble head-on, not towards the outside
  • come off your marker far enough to be a safe passing option
Drill 1

Passing and Coordination

20 min
  • The first player from Group A dribbles towards cone 2 and plays a back pass to the goalkeeper.
  • At the same time, the first player from Group B runs towards cone 4 in order to show for the ball to the goalkeeper.
  • The player from Group A runs to the agility ladder and carries out the set drills there.
  • Meanwhile the player from Group B is passed the ball by the goalkeeper and passes towards cone 5, where a player from Group A is already running to meet the ball.
  • This player takes the ball and goes back to the starting position of Group A.
  • The player from Group B runs to the coordination drill, carries out a set drill and joins the back of the group again.
Equipment & set-up

Pitch: Eleven cones, one agility ladder and one goal.

Equipment: 11 cones, 1 agility ladder, 1 goal and several balls.

Players: Group A stands at cone 1, Group B at cone 3; there is also a goalkeeper.

Coaching points
  • When dribbling, look up from the ball.
  • Demand coordination between the players.
  • The quality of the execution comes before speed.
Drill 2

Combining Through 4 vs 2

20 min15 x 7 metres — three zones of 5 metres each
  • The game is 4 vs 2.
  • A maximum of two attackers and one defender may be in each zone.
  • Every combination from end zone to end zone scores a point.
Equipment & set-up

Pitch: Eight cones mark out three zones.

Equipment: 8 cones and several balls.

Players: Four attackers occupy all the zones, the two defenders one zone each.

Coaching points
  • Watch the spatial orientation: in which space are the players moving, and into which spaces do they have to push forward?
  • Form triangles.
  • Show for the ball in the gaps.
  • Do not hide in the cover shadow.
Drill 3

Building Up Play from the Back Four

20 min
  • The players pass the ball through the defensive line.
  • The strikers try to win the ball by pressing.
  • The defenders stay in their positions while the holding midfielder shows for the ball and serves as an option in the combination play.

Progression: The attackers stay passive at first, after that they press fully.

Equipment & set-up

Pitch: Cones mark out the playing area.

Equipment: Cones and several balls.

Players: A back four and one holding midfielder plus two attacking strikers.

Coaching points
  • Make the game wide.
Drill 4

Small-Sided Game: Build-Up Play Centre-Backs

20 min15 x 25 metres
  • The aim of the drill is to get the ball from centre-back to centre-back.
  • Inside the playing area the game is 4 vs 4 or 2 x 2 vs 2; in this variation two players of each team always stay in their own half of the area.
  • The outside players play with the team in possession and may only play the ball back with one or two touches.
  • There is a point when the ball is combined from centre-back to centre-back, and a bonus point when the centre-back passes directly to the other centre-back.
Equipment & set-up

Pitch: Six cones mark out the playing area, which is divided into two halves.

Equipment: 6 cones, 1 ball and bibs.

Players: One centre-back at each end of the playing area, two neutral support players on each side plus the outfield players.

Coaching points
  • The team in possession always has an overload.
  • The defenders therefore have to defend the space without letting the ball get through to the other side.

Session 3

4 drills

After the role of the centre-back in the build-up was the focus of the last training session, today is about the full-back.

The full-back should be able to take both high and low passes in their stride quickly in order to allow play to continue quickly after a switch of play.

In addition, as a full-back, the player should recognise whether it is the right moment to look for the forward option or to cut once again.

Coaching points for this session
  • make yourself available in an open body position
  • Taking the ball forward in stride with the outside foot
  • Use the 1st touch to prepare the follow-up action as well as possible
Drill 1

Passing Course

15 min
  • The centre-back starts the drill with a pass to the full-back.
  • After that the passing sequence continues as shown in the graphic.
Equipment & set-up

Pitch: Seven cones mark the positions; they are set far apart and together form a large circuit across the pitch.

Equipment: 7 cones and several balls.

Players: There is one player at each cone.

Coaching points
  • Start the drill at an easy pace and increase the intensity as it goes on.
  • The players show for the ball actively.
  • Take the ball in the stride so that it can be played on first time.
Drill 2

Reaction and Speed

20 min

Exercise 1

  • Two players run from the tall cones towards the halfway line or the cone line respectively.
  • Player 1 tries to get to the ball first, either on the left or on the right, in order to finish; while doing so, Player 1 changes direction quickly at least once or twice.
  • Player 2 tries to copy the same movement and to get to the ball sooner.

Exercise 2

  • As in Exercise 1, but Player 1 touches the tall cones in a changing order, and Player 2 does the same.
Equipment & set-up

Pitch: Two red and two yellow tall cones as starting points, about eight to ten yellow and four red cones as a ball line and a halfway line plus two mini goals.

Equipment: 4 tall cones, about 14 cones and 2 mini goals.

Players: Pairs are formed.

Coaching points
  • The striker should beat the defender with a body feint.
Drill 3

Zone Game with Pressing

30 min
  • Team Yellow plays against Team Blue on two goals.
  • In the central zone the ball may only be played with two touches.
  • In the two outer zones play is free.
  • For the blue team the line marked in blue counts as the pressing line, for the yellow team the line marked in yellow — in this case a midfield press.
Equipment & set-up

Pitch: Cones divide the playing area into three zones — two outer zones and one central zone. Further cones mark a pressing line for each team, here in yellow and blue.

Equipment: Cones, 2 goals and several balls.

Players: Two teams — yellow and blue — plus two goalkeepers.

Coaching points
  • Thanks to the touch-limited zone, the team in possession has time and can combine until gaps open up in the opposition.
  • The pressing team coordinates itself and shifts across as a team.
Drill 4

Shot after a Passing Combination via the Full-Back

20 min
  • The centre-back passes to the full-back. The full-back breaks off the forward movement, shows for the ball coming back and takes the ball under control and in an open position.
  • The holding midfielder gets free and offers for a one-two.
  • The full-back plays first time into the space behind the defence to the striker, who finishes.

Progression: Start the drill at an easy pace and increase the tempo as it goes on. Later the dummies can be replaced by opponents.

Equipment & set-up

Pitch: Five dummies or tall cones stand on the pitch as opponents.

Equipment: 5 dummies or tall cones, several balls and 1 full-size goal.

Players: The players are spread over the positions of centre-back, full-back, holding midfielder and striker.

Coaching points

Coaching Points

  • The dummies can be replaced by opponents
  • Start the drill at an easy pace and increase the tempo as it goes on

Session 4

4 drills

The position of the holding midfielder also plays a very big role in the build-up. This player provides the link between defence and midfield.

In Exercise 1, a passing drill teaches 2 ways in which the holding midfielder can get involved in the build-up. After that, 15 minutes are spent on coordination and acceleration, until the next two drills return to the build-up.

The dropping holding midfielder is taught in Exercise 3. In Exercise 4, 6 vs 6 is played in order to get to know various ways in which the holding midfielder can shape the build-up.

Drill 1

Build-Up Play from the Centre-Back via the 6 and the 10

20 min
  • The centre-back plays a short pass to the number 10 after the preparatory movement of the number 10.
  • The number 10 turns with the first touch and on the centre-back's command of turn and then plays the ball forward to the number 6, who is starting towards the ball.
  • The number 6 lays the ball off out wide to the winger.
  • The winger plays the ball forward to the second centre-back.
  • Now the number 10, as the new number 6, has a double action; the passing sequence starts from the other side and runs there in the same way.
Equipment & set-up

Pitch: Five cones mark the positions.

Equipment: 5 cones and several balls.

Players: Two centre-backs, one number 6, one number 10 and one winger.

Coaching points
  • Start the drill at an easy pace until the players have internalised the sequence, then increase the intensity.
  • The aim is to be able to play the passes first time.
Drill 2

Running Coordination plus Acceleration

20 min
  • The first player of each group starts through the hurdles at the same time.
  • Various running tasks are carried out and combined.
  • After the last hurdle a sprint to the cone goal follows.
  • The drill is carried out as a competition against each other.
Equipment & set-up

Pitch: Twelve hurdles, four tall cones as a cone goal and two cones as starting points.

Equipment: 12 hurdles, 4 tall cones and 2 cones.

Players: Two groups, each lining up at one starting cone.

Coaching points
  • Despite the high pace, the drills should be carried out with a high level of quality.
Drill 3

Group Game: Number 6 between the Centre-Backs

25 minAs shown in the graphic
  • The game is 7 vs 7.
  • In the middle there is a central zone; goals may only be scored from there.
  • The two centre-backs outside the central zone may join in the game, but must not cross the line.
Equipment & set-up

Pitch: Cones mark out the playing area and a wide central zone right across the area. At both ends there are two mini goals next to each other, so four in total.

Equipment: Cones, 4 mini goals and several balls.

Players: Two teams of seven in their own bib colour; each team has two centre-backs outside the central zone in front of their own goals.

Coaching points
  • The centre-backs should not block the goal, but follow the run of play and be free for combinations.
  • What is trained above all is the way the midfield moves the play from defence into attack and the other way round.
Drill 4

Build-Up Play in 6 vs 6 with a Focus on the Number 6

30 minHalf a pitch
  • The game is 6 vs 6 with one goalkeeper.
  • At the start of the game, after the ball has gone out of play and after goals, the goalkeeper of Team Yellow always has the ball.
  • Team Yellow has the aim of dribbling through the dribbling gates or of scoring in one of the mini goals.
  • Team Green tries to win the ball and to score in the full-size goal. In doing so, it forces play out wide and defends in a midfield press.
Equipment & set-up

Pitch: Four poles form the dribbling gates, plus two mini goals and one full-size goal.

Equipment: 4 poles, 2 mini goals, 1 goal and several balls.

Players: Two teams of six and one goalkeeper. Team Yellow plays with two centre-backs, two full-backs and two holding midfielders, Team Green with two strikers, two wingers and two holding midfielders.

Coaching points
  • Make the game deep and wide.
  • Demand varied solutions from the holding midfielders in the build-up: the holding midfielder nearest the ball goes, the one furthest from the ball comes.
  • Show for the ball against the direction of the shift.
  • Drop between the two centre-backs or between a centre-back and a full-back and try to dribble or pass past the first line with an overload.
  • Play past a line and use a lay-off — staggered depth.
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