97-P7 · Pattern of play
How to Play Out From the Back (4231)
This engaging pattern of play develops both technical precision and tactical awareness for effective build-up play in a 4231 formation.
Phase 1 · Build-up play
Build-up play drills. Play out. Beat the press.
Build-up practices coach how a team starts its attack from the goalkeeper and back line: creating width and depth, playing through or around the first line of pressure and moving the ball into midfield.
Touchtight Club has 65 practices for this page (as of October 2026). Below: 1 with a free full video and 11 practice outlines.
Age
TopicBuild-up play (Phase 1)
Practices
Build-up play (Phase 1) drills and practices
12 of 12 shown
26-P3 · Opposed practice
4 v 3 Opposed Build-Up Game
It’s time to develop your goalkeeper’s skills and team cohesion with this dynamic 4 v 3 opposed practice!
31-P10 · Phase of play
Beat The Press to Attack (433)
This phase of play practice focuses on breaking through a press with structured build-up play and quick combinations to finish.
97-P9 · Functional practice
Beat the Press to Play Out (4231)
Master the art of building from the back with this functional practice, designed to refine your team's ability to navigate a high press.
26-P2 · Rondo
Beat the Press to Play Out Rondo (Goalkeeper)
This goalkeeper rondo focuses on developing composure, decision-making, and effective distribution under pressure during the build-up phase.
54-P9 · Functional practice
Break Lines to Attack
This 4 v 4 + 3 possession rondo sharpens build-up play, focusing on a back 3 and midfield 3 while incorporating floaters for fluid movement.
97-P6 · Small-sided game
Build from the Back Game (352)
This small-sided game challenges players to break down defensive pressure and build attacks from the back effectively in a 352.
85-P10 · Phase of play
Build Up From The Back (4231)
This practice develops Phase 1 build up play, specifically focusing on movements and patterns when building from the back in a 4231 setup.
92-P10 · Phase of play
Building from the Back Under Pressure
Master effective build-up play under pressure in this engaging 4231 focused phase of play practice.
52-P5 · Skill practice
Centre Back's Playing Out From the Back
This practice is designed to develop CB's who can confidently step into midfield and help break the first line of opposition pressure.
1TO1-P20 · Individual practice
Playing Out From the Back-CB
This 1 to 1 practice is designed to develop CB's ability to step out from the back and break the first line of pressure with confidence.
14-P14 · 11 v 11
Playing Out From The Back in a 4231: 11 v 11
This final practice combines aspects of this theme into an 11 v 11, with the focus on building play from the GK thorough the thirds.
These are 12 of the 65 practices in Club for this page. Start a free trial to see them all ↗
Coaching it
How to get more from these practices.
The six phases
Touchtight organises practices into six phases of the game: begin the attack, possession, finish the attack, press to regain, organised defending and defend the goal. Build-up play is phase 1.
Shape before the ball
Good build-up starts before the first pass: full backs give width, centre backs split and a midfielder shows between the lines.
Read the press
The key decision is when to play short, when to switch and when to go longer. Progressions usually add a pressing player so players learn the cue.
Questions
What coaches ask.
- What is build-up play in football?
- Build-up play is the first phase of an attack: building from the goalkeeper and defenders and getting the ball past the opposition’s first line of pressure. Touchtight calls it phase 1, "Begin the Attack".
- Are these practices free?
- The practice outlines on this page are free to read, with the setup and key coaching points for each practice. The full coaching videos, progressions and player questions are in the Touchtight Club library, which you can try free for 14 days (card required).