Practice 1: Through the thirds

WHY USE IT

This position-specific exercise is an introduction to playing through the field. It forces right-backs, left-backs and central midfielders to move into space to receive the ball and then look forward.

SET UP

Use a 25x40 pitch with five-yard end zones at each end. Add a mini goal at each end, although these won’t be needed immediately. Each team starts with two players, as centre-backs, in an end zone, with the remaining players (full-backs, central midfielders and two attacking midfielders/centre-forwards) in the central zone.

HOW TO PLAY

The game starts with a pass from one centre-back to the other within the end zone. They then play into their team-mates in the central area. Teams score by transferring the ball to the opposition centre-backs in the other end zone. The session can be progressed to allow teams to counter-attack if they win possession and score in the mini-goal behind their opponent’s centre-backs. Coaches can also introduce touch or pass limits, depending on the level of players.

COACHING POINTS

Encourage quick play, combination play and effective movement.