Build-up play under pressure and switch of play in 2-1-2

Excellent exercise for working on build-up play when your center backs are under pressure. It will also allow your players to work on their automatic movements when executing a switch of play during a restart.

On a half field, place 2 mini-goals on the halfway line as well as 2 zones of 5x5m about 10m from the halfway line (see animation). Then set up 5 cones to form a 2-1-2 system with 2 central defenders, 1 defensive midfielder, and 2 attacking midfielders. Then place 2 players at each cone.

The exercise proceeds as follows:

The left center back starts with a back pass to their goalkeeper, who will then play to the opposite side to the 1st central defender.
This player controls, then plays to the central attacking midfielder who will call for the ball by dropping back.
He/she will then play a one-touch pass to the central defensive midfielder. This player will perform an oriented control before playing to the opposite side.
The 1st player will then call for the ball a step higher in the 5x5m square zone before finishing on the mini-goal.
The exercise restarts on the opposite side in the same manner.

Exercise used by Marcelo Bielsa at Leeds, it is ideal for working on build-up play when your central defenders are under pressure. It requires a 2-1-2 setup but can easily adapt to different playing systems. This soccer build-up exercise allows your players to position themselves better during build-up play, while feeling an opposing presence, which will make them more effective in match situations. As a reminder, build-up play in soccer consists of a sequence of passes and movements allowing you to get out of a situation often under pressure in the lower area of the field, in order to find yourself in an offensive position in the mid (or high) zone.