Free practice Build Up & Playing Out · Defending
Leipzig Build Up via Full Backs
Watch this drill in the libraryPractice description
Aim
Develop build-up decisions through wide support or central progression, with quick reactions to defensive regains.
How it works
A central 4v3 uses two full-backs in protected wide channels. The build-up team can score through a full-back or by carrying the ball over the central line.
• The four central players keep possession against three pressing opponents, using the full-backs for wide support.
• Only the build-up team's full-backs can enter the wide channels, and they remain in those areas.
• To score through a wide route, pass to a full-back who then finishes in their channel's mini goal.
• Alternatively, a central player can dribble over the central line to score.
• If the pressing three win possession, they counter-attack quickly while the build-up team reacts.
Develop build-up decisions through wide support or central progression, with quick reactions to defensive regains.
How it works
A central 4v3 uses two full-backs in protected wide channels. The build-up team can score through a full-back or by carrying the ball over the central line.
• The four central players keep possession against three pressing opponents, using the full-backs for wide support.
• Only the build-up team's full-backs can enter the wide channels, and they remain in those areas.
• To score through a wide route, pass to a full-back who then finishes in their channel's mini goal.
• Alternatively, a central player can dribble over the central line to score.
• If the pressing three win possession, they counter-attack quickly while the build-up team reacts.
Coaching points
• Build-up Focus: Encourage players to create angles and use the full-backs as wide outlets to stretch the opposition and switch play.
• Full-back Play: Full-backs must be alert, well-positioned, and ready to receive under pressure with a positive first touch toward goal.
• Central Penetration: Teach players to recognize when to break the line through dribbling, exploiting central gaps when wide options are denied.
• Defensive Transition: Highlight urgency and compactness in the pressing team, emphasizing quick transitions to attack after winning possession.
• Full-back Play: Full-backs must be alert, well-positioned, and ready to receive under pressure with a positive first touch toward goal.
• Central Penetration: Teach players to recognize when to break the line through dribbling, exploiting central gaps when wide options are denied.
• Defensive Transition: Highlight urgency and compactness in the pressing team, emphasizing quick transitions to attack after winning possession.
Progression 1
Full-Backs Can Recover Centrally on Transition:
If the build-up team loses possession, the wide full-backs are now allowed to leave their channels and recover into the central zone to help defend the counter-attack.
This adds a layer of defensive responsibility and realism, mimicking the demands placed on full-backs in real match scenarios when possession is lost high or during build-up.
Focus: Encourages awareness, fitness, and transition speed from wide areas. Also tests communication and compactness in defensive recovery.
If the build-up team loses possession, the wide full-backs are now allowed to leave their channels and recover into the central zone to help defend the counter-attack.
This adds a layer of defensive responsibility and realism, mimicking the demands placed on full-backs in real match scenarios when possession is lost high or during build-up.
Focus: Encourages awareness, fitness, and transition speed from wide areas. Also tests communication and compactness in defensive recovery.
