b uild-up play soccer drills

Joueurs

6-18

Thème

3v3 (+1) Build-up with mini-goals and first line pressing

U16 U17 U18 U19 U20 Seniors

Numerical advantage build-up situation (GK + 3 players) to beat the first line of press and find outlets towards mini-goals....

Durée

Joueurs

7-14

Thème

Shooting and using support during the build-up play

U14 U15 U16 U17

Very dynamic drill where the player must serve a winger on the run to initiate the counterattack....

Durée

10 min

Joueurs

4-16

Thème

Defending and Delaying in the Final Third in 6v6

U16 U17 U18 U19 U20 Seniors

Opposition scenario where the defensive team must delay the attack, protect the penalty area, and prevent shots and crosses before...

Durée

Joueurs

Thème

5v2 Possession Game with Ball Carrying Exit

U14 U15 U16 U17 U18 U19 U20 Seniors

Maintain possession in a rondo under pressure, then break out with dribbling after 10 passes to score in a mini-goal....

Durée

Joueurs

Thème

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What is build-up play in soccer?

Build-up play in soccer involves regaining control of the ball from your defense and initiating a constructive attack immediately afterward. This attack can be conducted in various ways, whether through short and quick passes between defenders or by deliberate long balls towards the forwards. Finally, dribbling can also be the solution to successfully execute build-up play.

Build-up play in soccer is a crucial phase of the game, where the transition between defense and attack can make all the difference. Executing a beautiful build-up play is a subtle art that requires not only impeccable technical skills but also a strategic vision of the game and soccer to find the deadly openings against your opponent to exploit the spaces.

The key to build-up play lies in the ability to read the game, anticipate your opponents' movements, and make the right decision. Build-up is also a matter of communication and coordination among your players to maintain game fluidity and avoid dangerous turnovers.

How to work on build-up play?

To perfect build-up play, training sessions should focus on several aspects:

Development of technical skills
Ball control
Pass accuracy
Dribbling under pressure

Then, another area of work comes in, which is game vision. The goal is to encourage your players to “scan” the field constantly to identify passing options and anticipate opponents' movements.

Technique, vision, and anticipation will be your best skills to break the lines of your opponents.

Our tips for effectively managing build-up play

To successfully execute a clean build-up play, your players must first and foremost have confidence in themselves and their technical skills to dare to take risks. This means being ready to play under pressure, knowing how to keep their cool in critical situations, such as pressing, and taking responsibility in the game from the back.

Moreover, as mentioned earlier, communication will be essential in your build-up play. Your players must constantly communicate to provide the right information and thus make the best decision.

What training exercises to implement to work on build-up play?

To improve build-up play, as a coach, you can organize a variety of exercises specifically designed to develop the necessary skills:

Ball retention under pressure.
Work on passing technique.
Real-game situation simulations to challenge players to make quick and effective decisions.

As with all phases of the game, it is important to vary and test several patterns so that your players can best assimilate their build-up play options. In conclusion, build-up play in soccer is much more than a matter of technique. It is actually a combination of technique, game vision, and communication to restart cleanly and bring danger into the opponent's area.

Rondo in 3 zones to find the 9 and exploit the numerical advantage

U17 U18 U19 U20 Seniors

Possession-focused drill in 3 zones with the objective of connecting with the 9, then supporting the drive to finish in the mini-g...

Durée

Joueurs

Thème

8v8: connection of the fullbacks with the attacking line across 5 zones

U14 U15 U16 U17 U18 U19

Build-up play and connection between wide players and forwards in an 8v8 structured into five zones....

Durée

Joueurs

14-18

Thème

Possession game from one goalkeeper to the other in 4v4 (+2)

U14 U15 U16 U17

Possession game where the objective is to connect one goalkeeper to the other by prioritizing the forward pass in a 4v4 with two g...

Durée

Joueurs

Thème

Possession game in 3 zones with transitions and numerical disadvantage on the weak side

U17 U18 U19 U20 Seniors

Three-zone possession exercise to work on reactions to transitions, the disadvantage on the weak side, and movements preparing for...

Durée

Joueurs

Thème

Possession game in double zone with coordinated press

U14 U15 U16 U17 U18 U19 U20 Seniors

Possession and organized pressing drill in two adjacent zones to work on transition and counter-pressing after losing the ball....

Durée

Joueurs

Thème

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Build-up play from the goalkeeper and alternating between short passing game and direct play

U17 U18 U19 U20 Seniors

Exercise focused on goalkeeper work and how players move when their goalkeeper has the ball in hand. The goalkeeper's decision-mak...

Durée

Joueurs

11-15

Thème

Breaking the lines with passing combinations in 3 drills

U14 U15 U16 U17

This drill used with youth teams at Manchester City is divided into 3 stations, allowing players to work on different passing comb...

Durée

Joueurs

12-24

Thème

Mr. Bielsa: working on lateral-winger automatisms with a passing circuit

U17 U18 U19 U20 Seniors

Used by Marcelo Bielsa during a training session, this drill is ideal for working on the chemistry between fullbacks and wingers, ...

Durée

Joueurs

Thème

Defensive transition of Pep Guardiola in an 8vs7 with 4 supports

U17 U18 U19 U20 Seniors

Used by Pep Guardiola during a training session at Manchester City, this drill will help you work on the attacking-defensive trans...

Durée

Joueurs

18-21

Thème

Pep Guardiola's Transition Work in a 5v5 Across 3 Zones

U18 U19 U20 Seniors

Used by Pep Guardiola during his time at Bayern Munich, this exercise is ideal for working on quick execution and exploiting space...

Durée

Joueurs

Thème

Progressez grâce à nos exercices

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One-two pass drill against a diamond formation

U12 U13 U14 U15

Speed of execution, work on passing and movement are key to this drill, which will require several repetitions to achieve a good r...

Durée

Joueurs

6-18

Thème

Working on build-up play with Marcelo Bielsa against 2 forwards

U18 U19 U20 Seniors

Suggested by Marcelo Bielsa to his players, this drill is ideal for working on build-up play against 2 attackers, particularly foc...

Durée

Joueurs

Thème

Fast forward play with a 7v7 in 3 zones

U14 U15 U16 U17

This small-sided game, used by Vicente Del Bosque during a training session at Real Madrid, is ideal for working on smooth transit...

Durée

Joueurs

Thème

Build-up Play and Through Ball in Jurgen Klopp's 4-3-3

U14 U15 U16 U17

Exercise inspired by a training session of Jurgen Klopp at Liverpool, it will allow your players to work on their positioning in a...

Durée

Joueurs

18-22

Thème

Mr. Bielsa: Creating and Exploiting Space Along the Touchline

U17 U18 U19 U20 Seniors

Exercise developed by Marcelo Bielsa and used during his time at Leeds, it will help your players learn to create spaces and explo...

Durée

Joueurs

10-18

Thème

Progressez grâce à nos exercices

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Switch of play using the central midfielder

U10 U11 U12 U13

Ideal passing circuit to work on switching play through the central midfielder, who will drop back to offer a solution to teammate...

Durée

Joueurs

Thème

Exploiting the Weak Side with this 8v4 by Marcelo Bielsa

U16 U17 U18 U19 U20 Seniors

Very useful for managing a numerical advantage during a switch of play, this exercise used by Marcelo Bielsa should appeal to your...

Durée

Joueurs

Thème

4v3 back to goal with build-up play for the defenders

U10 U11 U12 U13

Ideal exercise for a soccer school, it will allow your players to work on playing with their back to the goal as well as build-up ...

Durée

Joueurs

8-16

Thème

Marcelo Bielsa: Build-up play under pressure and switch of play in 8v6

U18 U19 U20 Seniors

Used by Marcelo Bielsa, this drill, in the form of 8v6 game sequences, is ideal for training your players in build-up play and gam...

Durée

Joueurs

15-18

Thème

Transition from one zone to another with positional play in 5v5 (+ 2 central supports)

U18 U19 U20 Seniors

Used by Unai Emery during a training session at Arsenal in 2018, this drill aims to work on positional play through a 5v5 possessi...

Durée

18 min

Joueurs

Thème

Progressez grâce à nos exercices

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Preventing the build-up play: high press and shooting in 2v1

U12 U13 U14 U15

Thanks to a high press and shooting in 2v1 situations, this drill is ideal for blocking the opponent's build-up play. Make sure to...

Durée

12 min

Joueurs

10-16

Thème

Marcelo Bielsa: working on build-up play against a high press

U17 U18 U19 U20 Seniors

Excellent double circuit used by Marcelo Bielsa, which is ideal for working on build-up play against a high press....

Durée

Joueurs

12-20

Thème

Build-up play and shooting in 9v9 with passing gates

U14 U15 U16 U17

This situational exercise is ideal for working on the build-up play phase. Used in Naples a few years ago, you can use it at the e...

Durée

Joueurs

16-20

Thème

Finding the free player in a 3v1 situation by Marcelo Bielsa

U17 U18 U19 Seniors

Inspired by an exercise used by Marcelo Bielsa, this drill will allow you to take advantage of a 3v1 situation in the wide areas....

Durée

18 min

Joueurs

4-20

Thème

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

U14 U15 U16 U17

Excellent exercise for working on build-up play when your center backs are under pressure. It will also allow your players to work...

Durée

12 min

Joueurs

6-14

Thème

Progressez grâce à nos exercices

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Small-sided game in 5v5 by Luis Enrique (+ 1 neutral player)

U17 U18 U19 U20 Seniors

With a clear objective, the contribution of several supports during quick attacks, this exercise used by Luis Enrique at FC Barcel...

Durée

Joueurs

11-18

Thème

Pressing and possession play in an 8v4 (+6)

U14 U15 U16

8v4 possession game with 6 support players that will allow your players to work on the attacking-defensive transition, as well as ...

Durée

Joueurs

18-22

Thème

Double 3v2 with pressing from a central square

U17 U18 U19 U20 Seniors

In this 3v2 (and 3v3 with pressing), your players will be able to work on coordinated press as well as transition play when losing...

Durée

Joueurs

11-15

Thème

Possession play and progressive switches of play

U14 U15 U16 U17 U18 U19 U20 Seniors

This small-sided game with a numerical advantage and progression from zone to zone is ideal for youth teams and will help improve ...

Durée

Joueurs

6-24

Thème

Creating a numerical advantage in a possession game across 3 zones

U17 U18 U19 U20 Seniors

Used by Guardiola at FC Barcelona (B team) in 2008, this possession exercise with a numerical advantage is perfect for training yo...

Durée

25 min

Joueurs

15-21

Thème

Progressez grâce à nos exercices

Rejoignez notre communauté d'entraineurs amateurs et accédez à 500+ exercices premium avec schémas et inspirés de coachs pros. Recevez de nouveaux exercices chaque semaine.

Accéder aux exercices

6v6 (+2) possession game with play through the central zone

U18 U19 Seniors

Ideal exercise for working like teams such as Liverpool or Manchester City. A short passing game followed by a through ball into a...

Durée

Joueurs

Thème

Training on Long Balls and Off-the-ball Movement

U12 U13 U14 U15 U16 U17

Long passing drill ideal for training your players to find the right passing angle, improve the accuracy of long balls, and work o...

Durée

Joueurs

8-12

Thème

Tracking back by forwards and involvement in build-up play

U17 U18 U19 U20 Seniors

Through this exercise, your forwards practice participating in the collective build-up play and the optimal timing of the off-the-...

Durée

Joueurs

12-14

Thème

Positioned Attack and Offensive Movements (8v8)

U17 U18 U19 U20 Seniors

Excellent 8v8 game exercise, your players enhance their creativity and ability to identify, based on their position, the most effe...

Durée

Joueurs

Thème

Pressing and Counterattack Work in 8v8

U16 U17 U18 U19 U20 Seniors

In an 8v8 setup with one team playing without a goalkeeper, your players practice counterattacking and pressing with a numerical a...

Durée

Joueurs

16-18

Thème

Progressez grâce à nos exercices

Rejoignez notre communauté d'entraineurs amateurs et accédez à 500+ exercices premium avec schémas et inspirés de coachs pros. Recevez de nouveaux exercices chaque semaine.

Accéder aux exercices

Double 2v2 and Shooting on Full-Size Goal

U18 U19 U20 Seniors

Through a double 2v2, your players practice defensive recovery (defenders) as well as combinations and shooting (attackers)....

Durée

25 min

Joueurs

16-18

Thème

Positional attack and movements between the lines

U17 U18 U19 U20 Seniors

By placing cones that should not be touched, this drill is ideal for training your forwards in building a set attack and optimizin...

Durée

Joueurs

6-8

Thème