WORLD CLASS COACHING
Build Up From the Back - Exercises 2
By Luca Bertolini
Table of Contents
PART TWO
Build Up With Center Backs and Midfielders
Specific small-sided games
All the following practices are carried out inside the areas of the pitch that are commonly accepted as those of the positional play games.
Goalkeeper and center backs specific small-sided games
Exercise 10: 2 + gk v 1
Set-up and Sequence: 1 goalkeeper, 2 center backs and 1 opposition forward are placed inside the penalty area. The goalkeeper is in possession and the ball must circulate from to him to the center backs and between them, while they are being placed on different lines.
The yellow players can choose to try to close the passing lanes between the center backs or press the ball carrier. If he wins the ball, he can shoot on goal.
Eye on: be placed on different lines and shape different triangles to play one-touch quick diagonal passes with the goalkeeper. Pressure timing against the ball carrier.
Exercise 11: 2 + gk v 2
Set-up and Sequence: 1 goalkeeper, 2 center backs and 2 opposition forwards are placed inside the penalty area. The goalkeeper is in possession and the ball must circulate from to him to the center backs and between them, but through the goalkeeper, while they are being placed on different lines.
The yellow players should try to press the ball carrier or double the mark on him. If they win the ball, they can shoot on goal directly.
Eye on: be placed on different lines and shape different triangles to play one-touch quick diagonal passes with the goalkeeper. Pressure timing against the ball carrier and double marking.
Goalkeeper, center backs and balance midfielder specific small-sided game
Exercise 12: 3 + gk v 2 (1)
Set-up and Sequence: 1 goalkeeper, 2 center backs and 2 opposition forwards are placed inside the penalty area. 1 balance midfielder of the possession team is placed just out the penalty area at the beginning of each sequence.
The goalkeeper is in possession and the ball must circulate from to him to the center backs and between them, but through the dropping back center midfielder, while they are being placed on different lines.
The yellow players should try to press the ball carrier or to close the passing lanes toward the center midfielder. If they win the ball, they can shoot on goal.
Eye on: be placed on different lines and shape different triangles to play one-touch quick diagonal passes with the goalkeeper. Dropping backs runs and pressure timing against the ball carrier and double marking.
Exercise 13: 3 + gk v 2 (2)
Set-up and Sequence: 1 goalkeeper, 2 center backs and 2 opposition forwards are placed inside the penalty area. 1 balance midfielder of the possession team is placed just out the penalty area at the beginning of each sequence.
The goalkeeper is in possession and the ball must circulate from to him to the center backs and between them, while they are being placed on different lines. The center midfielder must drop back after the first switch of the side (4) to unbalance the opposition pressure
definitively.
The yellow players should try to press the ball carrier or to close the passing lanes toward the center midfielder when he drops back. If they win the ball, they can shoot on goal.
Eye on: be placed on different lines and shape different triangles to play one-touch quick diagonal passes with the goalkeeper. Dropping backs and pressure timing.
Goalkeeper, center backs and full back specific small-sided game
Exercise 14: 3 + gk v 2 (2)
Set-up and Sequence: 1 goalkeeper, 2 center backs and 1 opposition forwards are placed inside the penalty area. 1 fullback and opposition winger are placed wide and inside the first square at the corner of the penalty area.
The goalkeeper is in possession and the ball must circulate from to him to the center backs and between them, while they are being placed on different lines. As the second center back receives, he must play out to the fullback, who is playing 1 v 1; he must keep the possession, turn and play a back pass the center back, who supports and passes back again to the goalkeeper to start the sequence again.
The yellow player inside the penalty area should try to close the passing lanes as he is outnumbered; the other one should press the fullback to win the ball back. If the defenders win the ball, they can shoot on goal.
Eye on: be placed on different lines and shape different triangles to play one-touch quick diagonal passes with the goalkeeper, be placed wide and with the right body shape to receive.
Goalkeeper, center backs and full backs, two midfielders specific small-sided game
Exercise 15: 4 + gk + 1 v 3
Set-up and Sequence: 1 goalkeeper, 2 center backs and 2 opposition forwards are placed inside the penalty area; 1 balance midfielder of the possession team is placed just out the penalty area. 1 fullback and 1 opposition winger and a red free player (second midfielder) are placed wide at the corner of the penalty area.
The goalkeeper is in possession and the ball must circulate from to him to the center backs and between them, but through the dropping back center midfielder, while they are being placed on different lines.
As the second center back receives, he must play out to the fullback who is playing 1 v 1; he must keep the possession playing a 1-2 combination with the free player to overcome the opponent, turn and play a back pass to the center back, who is supporting the move, and who then pass back again to the goalkeeper, to start the sequence again.
The yellow players should close the passing lanes to prevent the combinations, as they are always outnumbered. If they win the ball, a 3+1 v 4+1 duel is created to counter attack.
Eye on: be placed on different lines and shape different triangles to play one-touch quick diagonal passes with the goalkeeper. Dropping backs timing and quick passing combinations to play out. Close the passing lanes.
Goalkeeper, center backs and fullback and balance midfielder specific small-sided game
Exercise 16: 4 + 1 v 3
Set-up and Sequence: 1 goalkeeper, 2 center backs and 2 opposition forwards are placed inside the penalty area; 1 balance midfielder of the possession team is placed just out the penalty area. 1 fullback and 1 opposition winger are placed wide at the corner of the penalty area.
The goalkeeper is in possession and the ball must circulate from to him to the center backs and between them, but through the dropping back center midfielder, while they are being placed on different lines.
As the second center back receives, he must play out to the fullback, who is involved in a 1 v 1 duel; he must keep the possession playing a 1-2 combination with the midfielder, who dropped back before and who is now playing as holding midfielder. As the opponent has been overcome, the fullback must turns and he plays a back pass to the center back, who is supporting the move, and who then passes back again to the goalkeeper, to start the sequence again.
The yellow players should close the passing lanes to prevent the combinations, as they are always outnumbered. If they win the ball, a 3 v 4+1 duel is created to counter attack.
Eye on: be placed on different lines and shape different triangles to play one-touch quick diagonal passes with the goalkeeper. Dropping backs and support runs timing and quick passing combinations to play out. Close the passing lanes.
Fullback playing out specific small-sided games
Exercise 17: 2 + 1 v 1
Set-up and Sequence: 1 center back, 1 full back and 1 red free player are placed wide, along the flank, inside the first third. The center back is in possession and he must pass to the fullback from the lower area of the flank.
The fullback must overcome the opponents playing a 1-2 combination with the holding red free player to overcome the opposition winger inside the next area; he then turns and passes back to the center back, who is supporting the move, running wide near the sideline.
As the center back receives, he passes forward again to the fullback, who controls the ball and he passes to the red free player, who acts like a holding midfielder. The center back finally receives and the fullback drops deeper to start the sequence again.
The yellow defender must try to close the passing lanes, as he is outnumbered; but if he wins the possession, a 2 v 2 duel is created inside the playing areas of the field.
Eye on: Quick passing combinations to play out, support runs timing.
