43-P8 · Wave of play · U12–U17
Playing through the Thirds
Playing through the Thirds is a wave of play for U12–U17 teams (12 players, 35 × 25 yards) that works on passing, movement and finishing.
This practice is a small sided game that focuses on developing players ability to progress through the thirds of the field.
Opens in Touchtight Club · 14-day free trial · Card required
1:54 - Age group
- U12–U17
- Players
- 12 players
- Area
- 35 × 25 yards (1/4 Pitch)
- Time
- 25–30 minutes
- Goalkeeper
- Yes
- Coaches
- 1
- Practice type
- Wave of play
- Coach level
- Advanced (B Licence)
How it's set up
This practice takes place in a 35 by 25-yard and is a small sided game that focuses on developing players ability to progress through the thirds of the field. We setup by dividing the playing area into thirds, with players positioned in a 6 v 6 game as shown with a neutral floater in the central zone. To begin, the keeper starts with possession and initiates the attack. A defender must find a progressive pass into the 2nd third with one defender allowed to push forward creating a 4 v 2 overload centrally. Teams must connect with the floater before penetrating into the final third with one midfielder allowed to support the striker creating a 2 v 2 attack. If possession is won by the defenders, the same rules apply to their build up play
Key coaching points
- Create angles to support and receive from teammates. Decision making when to progress play ( Patience if opportunity has not been created yet).
- Passing quality to maintain possession. Defensive positioning ( Force play wide- get tight- close angles).
- Exploit space created through numerical superiority
Also in the full practice
- 2 progressions to make it harder as your players improveIn Club
- 3 player questions to check understanding during the practiceIn Club
- The coach-led video (1:54) how to set it up and deliver itIn Club
- Add it to your team's Dugout drop it into a session plan with your warm-up and gameIn Club
Open 43-P8 in Club → 14-day free trial
Run it with your team.
Watch 43-P8 in full, then add it to your next session. It's one of over 1,000 practices in the Touchtight Club library.
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