Gafferbook
Build-up play ยท U11 to adult

Centre-back step-in (carry the ball forward)

When there's space in front, the centre-back carries the ball into midfield to draw a presser and free a teammate. Teaches defenders to be brave on the ball.

U11 to adultAges
6 to 10 plus a keeperPlayers
Defensive halfArea
12 minsTime

Your assistant coach: turn this drill into a full session, plan the weeks around it and tell me how it went.

โž• Put it in tonight's session๐Ÿ—“ Build my season around itโœ๏ธ Make my own version

Set-up

  • Centre-backs, a midfielder, wide players.
  • Pressers who mark the midfielders but leave the centre-back.

Equipment: Goal, cones, bibs, balls

How it works

  1. Centre-back receives with space in front.
  2. Carries forward into midfield until a presser commits.
  3. Passes to the now-free teammate.

Coaching points

  • Carry with the head up.
  • Commit the presser, then release.
  • Teammates: stay in positions to receive.

Add this drill to a session plan โ†’

Make it easier

  • No pressure on the carry

Make it harder

  • A presser starts closer

AttackersDefendersKeeper / neutral- - โ†’ Passโ†’ Runใ€ฐโ†’ Dribble

Questions about this drill?

Free AI coaching help from Gafferbook. Ask anything about coaching your team.

More build-up play drills

Playing out from the back 3v2 (plus keeper)

The keeper and two defenders play out against two strikers and score by dribbling through a gate. The overload makes success likely, which builds the confidence to play out in games.

See the drill โ†’

Retreat line build-up game (Future Fit)

A match where, whenever a keeper has the ball, the other team must retreat behind the halfway (retreat) line. It mirrors Future Fit and 7v7 match rules and gives keepers time to play out.

See the drill โ†’

Split centre-backs and the dropping midfielder

Centre-backs split to the edge of the box, the holding midfielder drops between them, and the team plays out against three pressers into one of two mini goals. The build-up most 11v11 and 9v9 teams use.

See the drill โ†’

Goal kick: short to the full-back

From a goal kick, the full-back receives wide and the team works the ball forward past a pressing winger. A reliable first pattern for teams learning to play out.

See the drill โ†’

Keeper to centre-back to the 6 (pivot turns)

The ball goes keeper to centre-back to the defensive midfielder, who turns and plays forward. Teaches the 6 to find space and turn against a pressing number 10.

See the drill โ†’

Beat the first line (4v3 plus keeper)

Four defenders and the keeper try to get the ball past three pressing attackers into a midfield target zone. Builds patience, angles and using the keeper as the spare player.

See the drill โ†’