Playing Out From The Back
Tempo Third Line Break
Break the opposition line with a forward pass
Playing Out From The Back
Passing
Team Shape
Premium
Tempo Third Line Break is a 18-minute playing out from the back drill for 8-18 players, suitable for Under 11 to Adults at intermediate, advanced level. You need balls, cones, bibs. Below you will find the objective, the set-up, how to run it, coaching points, common mistakes, progressions, regressions and variations.
Back to drill libraryPlaying Out From The Back
Passing
Team Shape
Skill Practice
Intermediate
Advanced
Full Squad
Minimal Equipment
Youth Friendly
Adult Suitable
Tempo
Duration
18 min
Players
8-18
Pitch size
42 x 32 yards
Ability levels
Intermediate / Advanced
Pitch diagram
Tempo Third Line Break — Marked area · 42 x 32 yards
Step 1 of 5The back zone must beat the first line with a pass into the middle zone.
- 1. The back zone must beat the first line with a pass into the middle zone.
- 2. The middle player turns and finds the front zone.
- 3. A completed three-zone sequence scores a point.
- 4. The clock starts the moment the first pass is played in.
- 5. The sequence must reach the end action inside eight seconds or the rep is void.
- Cones mark the area
- Dashed lines = zones / thirds
- Ball
- Solid arrow = pass, thick = shot, dashed = run / dribble
Objectives
- -Break the opposition line with a forward pass
- -Coach the receiving position between the lines
- -Progress the ball with control, not hope
Setup
- 1Three horizontal zones with a defensive line between each in a 42 x 32 yards area.
- 2Set a visible timer or have an assistant count aloud from the side of the area.
- 3Balls in the back zone, two sets of bibs.
Coaching instructions
- 1The back zone must beat the first line with a pass into the middle zone.
- 2The middle player turns and finds the front zone.
- 3A completed three-zone sequence scores a point.
- 4The clock starts the moment the first pass is played in.
- 5The sequence must reach the end action inside eight seconds or the rep is void.
Coaching points
- -Pass to the far foot to help the turn
- -Receive on the half turn between the lines
- -Bounce back and switch if the line is closed
- -Pass with pace and intent — under-hit passes cost the clock
Common mistakes
- -Forcing the pass into a covered player
- -Middle players hiding behind opponents
- -Slow, sideways passing that burns the clock
Where this drill fits
- More football playing out from the back drills
- More football passing drills
- More football team shape drills
- football drills for U12s
- football drills for U14s
- football drills for U16s
- Football session plans built around this theme