6v6 plus 2 possession game: Breaking lines

The intention: What is practised?
This 6v6 plus 2 possession game works on progressing the ball centrally through two defensive lines to get into advanced positions. The exercise focuses on unit-level aspects, such as connecting play between three lines through short, sharp movements and incisive passing. Ball carriers can either take advantage of any space to engage opponents in 1v1 scenarios or quickly shift possession from side to side until gaps appear. Neutral players should operate at different heights to one another to keep passing angles open and to make it harder for the defenders, whilst attacking players should look to make short runs in behind. The unit must try to ensure that all of these aspects come together to enable them to connect play between their lines and to play through two defensive lines.

The scale: For whom is this relevant? 
This opposed possession game revolves around the unit scale and focuses on breaking defensive lines one by one. The exercise is particularly relevant to scenarios in which a unit seeks to progress the ball in central areas using three connecting lines. The three players in the blue build-up zone represent three centre-backs or a centre-back and two full-backs who pull wide to create passing angles with a view to overcoming the first line of press. The two neutral players act as pivots who connect play into the three advanced players, and they are tasked with breaking the last line of defence – which comprises three defenders – simulating an attack on goal.

The practice type: How is the practice designed? 
This drill involves an opposed possession game contested in a reduced-sized exercise area. The 3v3 scenario in the blue build-up zone puts the attacking team under considerable pressure and makes it difficult for them to progress the ball past the first defensive line. Beyond this defensive line, the two neutral players act as pivots who connect play between the backline and the frontline. When play moves into the target zone, players are asked to adopt an aggressive approach and to make intelligent off-the-ball movement. The objective of the game is to penetrate beyond the target zone, which simulates getting in behind the last defensive line.

Organisation

• Mark out a 40m x 20m exercise area and split it widthways into five zones: two 12.5m playing zones, one 3m neutral zone and two 6m orange target zones.

• Split the group into 2 teams of 6 (oranges v. blues) and assign 2 neutral players (greys).

• Set up a 3v3 scenario (oranges v. blues) in each blue zone.

• Position the 2 neutral players in the central channel between the 2 blue zones.

Explanation

• The exercise begins with a coach feeding a ball into a player in either of the blue zones.

• The attacking team seek to progress the ball to either of the 2 neutral players.

• The defending team’s objective is to dispossess the attacking team.

• If they receive the ball, the neutral players look to pass it to an attacking-team player positioned in the opposite blue zone from where they received the ball.

• The attacking player then either passes the ball to a team-mate in the orange target zone or dribbles the ball into that zone.

• If the ball goes out of play or the defending team gain possession, play restarts with the defending team in possession in their blue build-up zone.

Key coaching points

Roles of the coaches

• First coach: leads the session and coaches the players from her position inside the exercise area.

• Second coach: feeds balls into the relevant team from their position outside one of the blue zones.

• Third coach: feeds balls into the relevant team from their position outside the blue zone in which the second coach does not intervene.