Annual training plan · U14–U23

Week 8: Build-Up Play in a 4-2-3-1

3 complete training sessions with 12 drills – created by licensed coaches. Open every drill in the easy2coach web app with one click.

This week’s focus

Last training week started with the build-up focus, which continues this week.

The position-specific tasks of the centre-backs, full-backs and holding midfielders in the build-up have already been coached.

Building on this, the work now focuses on a safe build-up. Both the build-up through the centre and via the wings are covered.

Author Luis Österlein

Session 1

4 drills

Because the centre is so congested when defending, spaces open up on the wing that can be exploited deliberately in the build-up. Depending on the team's own system of play and that of the opponent, different options arise in the build-up.

If, for example, the opponent plays a 4-4-2 with a midfield diamond, the wingers can be brought into play particularly well after quick switches of play, as the far-side midfielder usually tucks in very far.

If, however, the opponent lines up in a 4-4-2 with a flat four in midfield, a switch of play is not as efficient because of the good cover across the width. Instead, it makes sense here to bring the wingers into play in the space between the opposing holding midfielder and wide midfielder.

If the opponent defends in a 4-3-3 or 4-2-3-1, the wingers can be brought into play particularly well via the half-spaces, as the centre-backs in the build-up face only one central striker. The wingers can run into the half-spaces themselves or be played in by a team-mate operating in the half-space.

Drill 1

Running Coordination

15 min
  • The hurdles are run through according to the instructions.
  • After that the players run round the red cone in a zip pattern and back to the starting position.

Progression: The players run out sideways to every yellow cone and afterwards have to find the set running rhythm again.

Equipment & set-up

Pitch: A running course of hurdles plus two red and four yellow cones.

Equipment: Hurdles, 2 red and 4 yellow cones.

Players: Two groups standing one behind the other in front of the running course.

Coaching points
  • Start the drill at an easy pace, then increase the intensity.
  • The drills must also be carried out correctly at a high pace.
Drill 2

Passing Drill: Building Up Play Down the Wings

20 min
  • The centre-back switches play; the ball is then played to the full-back.
  • The full-back plays the ball to the winger moving inside into the centre.
  • The winger lays the ball off to the holding midfielder.

Variations: The holding midfielder follows up with a lofted ball to the full-back, who plays the ball back as a lofted ball to the far-side centre-back position.

Equipment & set-up

Pitch: Cones mark the positions.

Equipment: Cones and several balls.

Players: Two centre-backs, one full-back, one winger and one holding midfielder.

Coaching points
  • The winger moves away from the wing and receives the ball in the half-space in order to open up the path for the overlapping full-back.
  • Switch the ball quickly.
  • Play the ball into the full-back's front foot.
  • The winger takes the ball with the foot furthest from the opponent.
  • Carry out all actions with a maximum of two touches wherever possible.
Drill 3

Building Up Play 3 vs 1

25 min
  • The goalkeeper or the coach passes to the team-mate coming towards the ball.
  • After the pass the two other defenders come into the area for a 3 vs 3.
  • The attackers try to pass into the mini goal or to dribble through the dribbling gate.
  • If the defenders win the ball, they may counter-attack on the full-size goal.
Equipment & set-up

Pitch: Two cones form a three-metre-wide dribbling gate to the side of the halfway line, with a mini goal next to it. Further cones mark the playing area; at one end there is a full-size goal.

Equipment: Cones, 1 mini goal, 1 goal and several balls.

Players: Three attackers and three defenders as well as a goalkeeper.

Coaching points
  • The attackers must use the time in which they are playing 3 vs 1 to take up the right positions and to finish quickly.
  • If that does not work, the goalkeeper can serve as an additional passing option in order to create a numerical advantage in the combination play.
Drill 4

Game with Crossing Zones

25 min
  • Play should generally go through the wide restricted zones.
  • The players in the restricted zones may not be challenged.
  • In the central zone play is free.
  • Goals scored directly from the restricted zones do not count.

Objective:

  • Play through the wide positions.
  • Deal with lofted balls.
  • Use the restricted zones in such a way that no offside position arises.
Equipment & set-up

Pitch: Cones or tall cones mark the playing area; the crossing zones are bounded by the penalty area and the touchline. There are two goals at the ends.

Equipment: Cones or tall cones, 2 goals and several balls.

Players: Two teams and two goalkeepers.

Coaching points
  • Push up as high as possible in the wide zone, but make sure that the wide players are not in the cover shadow.
  • Play the ball into the front foot or into the path of the run wherever possible.
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

If a central midfielder and a central striker are brought into play in the build-up, they usually have to cope with little space and a lot of pressure from opponents. However, this is also the shortest route to the opposing goal.

What matters in build-up play through the centre is how the central midfielders show for the ball and get free. The aim as a holding midfielder or number eight should be to be able to continue play in an open body position. For example by showing for the ball against the direction of the shift, or through a change of position.

Depending on the situation, however, it is also possible in the build-up for the centre-back to find a central striker directly. But this requires coordinated movement to get free between the central midfielders and strikers, for example by making runs in opposite directions.

Drill 1

Turn and Lay-Off Drill

15 min

Command Turn

  • Player A passes to Player B, who turns and plays to Player C.
  • Player C lays the ball back and moves diagonally to the side.
  • Once Player C has received the pass back from Player B, Player C plays a pass to Player A, first time wherever possible.
  • The players always move on one position.

Command Lay-Off

  • Player A passes to Player B and moves diagonally to the side.
  • Player B lays the ball off to Player A and turns towards Player C.
  • Player A plays a pass to Player C, first time wherever possible; Player C lays the ball off to Player B and also moves diagonally to the side.
  • Player B plays back to Player C, who also plays back to Player A, first time wherever possible.

Note: A clear command must be called with the pass — Turn or Lay-Off.

Equipment & set-up

Pitch: Three cones mark the positions.

Equipment: 3 cones and several balls.

Players: Players A, B and C.

Coaching points
  • Player B must stand to the side of the cone.
  • Give the commands loudly and clearly.
  • Complete rounds with both feet.
  • Complete rounds with both commands mixed.
Drill 2

Acceleration: Sprint Start Competition

15 min
  • On the coach's command the course is sprinted through in a slalom as quickly as possible.

Variations: Further route variations can be seen in the graphic in cone rows 2 to 4.

Equipment & set-up

Pitch: Four rows are set up next to one another, each consisting of four cones one behind the other. In front of each row lies a starting cone.

Equipment: 20 cones: 16 for the four rows and 4 starting cones.

Players: The players spread out evenly behind each starting cone.

Coaching points
  • Run through the course on the shortest route, not in an arc.
  • Pay attention to quality, even when speed comes into the drill.
Drill 3

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 4

6 vs 6 + 2 Extra Players

30 min
  • A free game of 6 vs 6 is played with two extra players.
  • The extra players always play with the team in possession along the touchlines and may only play first time.
Equipment & set-up

Pitch: Cones mark the playing area; there are two goals at the ends.

Equipment: Cones, 2 goals and several balls.

Players: Two teams of six, two extra players and two goalkeepers.

Coaching points
  • Play through the lines boldly.
  • Use the extra players for play through a third player.
  • Follow the ball after being played past.
  • Form a staggered shape in depth in midfield.

Session 3

4 drills

After a coordination drill to start the training session, the session continues with a passing sequence. It rehearses a possible pattern of play through the centre.

In passing drills without pressure from opponents, great importance should be attached to match-like execution and to the players coaching each other. As the players gradually gain confidence with the passing sequence, try to increase the tempo and, if necessary, reduce the number of touches.

This is followed by a small-sided game for keeping possession. The particular focus here is on the staggering in depth of the holding midfielders.

To finish, a small-sided game on build-up play is carried out. The build-up is played in 6 vs 5. What matters in this drill is to open a forward passing lane through secure passing and spacing that is as wide and as deep as possible.

Drill 1

Warm-Up Course

15 min
  • The red player passes the ball to the yellow player.
  • The red player then runs with skipping steps over the hurdles to the other side.
  • The yellow player passes the ball back and runs with side steps through the cones to the other side, so that the ball is always kept moving and a rotation is created.

Variations:

  • Play the ball only with the left or only with the right.
  • Play with one or two touches.
  • Run clockwise or anticlockwise.
  • Run backwards through the cones.
  • Jump sideways over the hurdles.
Equipment & set-up

Pitch: Four hurdles as well as four red and four yellow cones form a rotation.

Equipment: 4 hurdles, 8 cones and several balls.

Players: Red and yellow players facing one another.

Coaching points
  • Pay attention to good passes.
  • Also build commands into the drill.
Drill 2

Building Up Play Through the Centre - Passing Sequence

20 min
  • After the centre-back has switched play, both holding midfielders drop at the same time and make sure they are staggered diagonally.
  • Once the far-side holding midfielder has received the ball, that player turns and plays the ball forward to the number ten.
  • The number ten lays the ball off to the near-side holding midfielder, who plays back to the first centre-back.
  • With that the passing sequence starts again from the beginning.
Equipment & set-up

Pitch: Cones mark the starting positions.

Equipment: Cones and several balls.

Players: Two centre-backs, two holding midfielders and one number ten.

Coaching points
  • Pay attention to precise and firm passing into the open body position.
  • Place value on audible coaching — turn, lay-off.
Drill 3

Switch of Play - Possession Game

20 minOuter square 25 x 25 metres, inner square 7 x 7 metres
  • The blue players play for possession and try to pass the ball to the players in the inner square.
  • If no passing option to the inside is available because of pressure from opponents, they orientate themselves towards the free side — there is always a free player there.
  • The yellow players may not enter the inner blue square.
  • The blue outside players act with a maximum of two touches, ideally with one.
  • The inside player who receives the ball stands deep and lays the ball off to the second inside player — staggered in depth — who switches play to another side.
Equipment & set-up

Pitch: Mark out two squares, one inside the other. Four red cones mark the outer square of 25 x 25 metres, four blue cones the inner square of 7 x 7 metres.

Equipment: 4 red and 4 blue cones, bibs in two colours, several balls.

Players: Six players of the possession team, four of them outside the outer square spread over the four sides and two in the inner square. Three opponents move freely between the two squares.

Coaching points
  • Always be on the move and look for possible passing lanes.
  • Move out of the cover shadow.
  • The outside players should play the ball on first time wherever possible, otherwise the switch comes too late.
Drill 4

Building Up Play + Finishing

30 minThree quarters of the pitch
  • The team in possession, Yellow, tries to play one of the two strikers in through the three passing gates.
  • If that succeeds, the passer pushes up into the attacking zone for a 3 vs 2.
  • The defending team tries to prevent the build-up. If the defending team wins the ball, a quick, purposeful counter-attack follows.
  • The drill always starts with the goalkeeper or with the back four of the attacking team.
Equipment & set-up

Pitch: Six poles mark three passing gates; there are two goals at the ends.

Equipment: 6 poles, 2 goals and several balls.

Players: Two teams playing 8 vs 7 as well as goalkeepers. Yellow plays with a numerical advantage.

Coaching points
  • Yellow has the numerical advantage and must use it to combine quickly.
  • The defending team defends the space and above all with an eye on the passing gates.
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