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Playing through the thirds

Definition: Playing through the thirds is a soccer tactic in which a team looks to move the ball through the thirds of the field. The team progresses the ball through the defensive third, the middle third and the attacking third, building an attack.

Also known as: Playing out from the back, Building from the back

The drills, games, and activities in this section will help you work on playing through the thirds with your team.

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Practice 1: Through the thirds

This session develops players’ awareness and movement to build through defence and midfield.

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Game: Through the thirds

This session develops players’ awareness and movement to build through defence and midfield.

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Practice 1: Out from the back

Three-part session to familiarise players with moving the ball forward from defence.

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Practice 2: Out from the back

Three-part session to familiarise players with moving the ball forward from defence.

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Small-sided game: Out from the back

Final part of a three-part session to familiarise players with moving the ball forward from defence.

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Warm-up: Breaking the lines

Play through the thirds and create attacking overloads in this three-part session.

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Practice: Breaking the lines

Play through the thirds and create attacking overloads in this three-part session.

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Small-sided game: Breaking the lines

Play through the thirds and create attacking overloads in this three-part session.

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Warm-up: Through the thirds

Develop your players’ ability to play through a crowded midfield with this session.

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Goalkeepers learn to play out

Players are encouraged to be patient in the build up and to use the goalkeeper as an extra player to pass to.

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Breaking the lines

This possession practice allows players to work on multiple aspects in a game-realistic setting.

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Playing out from the back

Work on your team’s ability to start attacks from the goalkeeper with this practice.

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Practice: Movement and combinations to attack

Helps attackers to understand how their movement and position can create space and, ultimately, scoring chances.

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Small-sided game: Back to the start

This small-sided game gives players the chance to continue working on playing out from the back, in an environment very close to the actual ...

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Practice 2: Back to the start

Now the practice becomes opposed, creating a more challenging and realistic environment

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Practice 1: Back to the start

This session gives players a chance to practice transferring the ball forward from their defence

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Practice: Building the play

Develop your pass masters in a session which promotes shifting the ball quickly.

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Warm-up: Building the play

Develop your pass masters in a session which promotes shifting the ball quickly.

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Play out from the back

This rondo game develops players’ movement and passing when playing out from defence.

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Pass to progress

This session is all about moving through the thirds and keeping hold of the ball with good passing and movement. It has a great progression ...

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Score and keep possession

Use this session to teach your players how to build up from the back by working on the passing of your keeper and on the possession play of ...

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Rites of passage

If you want to score more goals, use this session to teach your players to build from the back and make penetrating passes through to the ...

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End to end attack

In this session strikers are being coached at both ends of the pitch – a striker must press the central defenders at one end, while at the ...

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Playing out to score

A team that plays out from the back keeping possession and playing through the thirds will create good goalscoring chances.

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Playing through the thirds

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