Gafferbook
Build-up play ยท U10 to adult

Progressive build-up waves (3v2, 4v3, 5v4)

Build-up starts as 3v2; each time the team succeeds, another attacker and defender join. Players learn to keep the spare player as the numbers grow.

U10 to adultAges
9 to 15 plus a keeperPlayers
Two-thirds pitchArea
15 to 20 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

  • Keeper with two defenders starts against two pressers.
  • Waiting players at the side join in pairs.

Equipment: Goal, cones, bibs, balls

How it works

  1. Wave 1: keeper plus two v two pressers; score by passing to a midfield target.
  2. Success: one more player each side joins.
  3. Lose it: pressers attack the goal.

Coaching points

  • Always find the free player.
  • Keep width as the numbers grow.
  • Keeper stays involved.

Add this drill to a session plan โ†’

Make it easier

  • Stop at 4v3

Make it harder

  • Add a two-touch limit at 5v4

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

Questions about this drill?

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Split centre-backs and the dropping midfielder

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Goal kick: short to the full-back

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