LINE-BREAKING

PASSING
AG E P H AS E : U 1 2 - U 1 6
SESSION PLAN
SESSION OVERVIEW LINE-BREAKING PASSING

LEVEL PART 3: SMALL-SIDED GAME KEY

• U12-U16 • This is a small-sided game that challenges players to Ball movement
recognise the passing and movement requirements
for line-breaking passes to be effective in a match-like Player movement
PRINCIPLES OF PLAY scenario. without the ball
• It requires a minimum of 14 players, including
• Pass detail two goalkeepers. Player movement
• Movement to receive with the ball
• Body shape while receiving

PART 1: PASSING FOCUS

Players

• This practice introduces the requirements for

line-breaking passes to be effective.
• It requires a minimum of six players split into three Cones
teams of two.
Flat marker

PART 2: MOVEMENT FOCUS

• This practice teaches players about the movement Cones with
needed to create opportunities for line-breaking passes, flat marker
and for these passes to be effective.
• It requires a minimum of 12 players split into three
groups of four. Goal

Mini-goal

Mannequin Pole

Football

AGE PHASE: U12-U16

PASSING FOCUS LINE-BREAKING PASSING

FUNCTION
A
• This practice focuses on when to play line-breaking
passes and how to execute them correctly.
• The practice requires six players split into three teams
of two, but can be adapted if more players are available.
• Players from Team A start on opposite sides of the grid
and one of them has the ball, as shown in the diagram.
Players from Team B and Team C are limited to the
central grid.
• The aim of the practice is for Team A to complete a
pass along the ground between the Team B players, C B B C
who act as defenders.
• Team C players can be used to play bounce passes to
try and pull Team B out of position. Team C players
can also choose to turn and and pass to the opposite
member of Team A.
• If Team B intercepts a pass, they then aim to dribble the
ball out of the grid, and only Team C can stop them.
• Points are awarded as follows: 3 points if Team A
completes a direct pass from one of their players to
the other; 1 point if Team A passes to a Team C player A
who then transfers the ball on to the other member
of Team A.
• Rotate roles after a set time period.
• Focus on disguising passes, speed of pass and
movement up and down the central grid from Team C
players to open passing angles.

AGE PHASE: U12-U16

PASSING FOCUS LINE-BREAKING PASSING

COACHING DETAIL: COACHING DETAIL:

TECHNICAL
BODY SHAPE WHILE RECEIVING
• The Team C players should be side-on, always able to
see both the ball and the player they are attempting to
pass to.
• This means that they can play around the corner,
receive on their back foot and pass to the opposite
side of the grid or bounce a pass back to the
original passer.
OUT OF POSSESSION
DEFENSIVE PAIRING
• The defensive pair should aim to prevent the split
passes, but also remain in a position to press the
opponents inside the central grid as the ball travels
towards them.
• If the defenders need help, provide coaching points
on their body shape and the space between them to
prevent split passes.

PASS DETAIL
• Firm and smooth passes are required for split passes
to reach their target. This will also keep the speed of
the practice up, which in turn means less time for the
defenders to adjust and more chances for split passes.
• When the opportunity arises to play direct from one
side of the grid to the other, Team A players must
always look to take advantage.
• Team C players are there as a way of forcing the
defending team to shift and adjust, creating more
opportunities for split passes. Players are thus
challenged to make decisions as to when to make
a split pass.

AGE PHASE: U12-U16

MOVEMENT FOCUS LINE-BREAKING PASSING

A
A
C C
B
B

C B C
B
A
A

FUNCTION
• This practice focuses on creating opportunities to
pass forwards.
• The grid is split into four quarters, as shown in the
diagram, and features three teams of four players.
• One player from each of Team A and Team B should
start in each quarter, competing against each other.
Two Team C players stand at each end of the playing
area and play for the team in possession.
• The aim of the practice is for the teams inside the grid
to transfer the ball from one end of the grid to the other
by playing a split pass to one of the Team C players on
the outside of the grid. An example of this is shown in
the diagram.
• Work for a set period of time and then rotate the roles
of the teams.
• The practice can be adjusted if more players are
available. The grid size should also be increased.
• Focus on passing forwards at every opportunity, and
encourage movement from teammates to open up
passing lines or to receive the ball.

AGE PHASE: U12-U16

MOVEMENT FOCUS LINE-BREAKING PASSING

COACHING DETAIL: COACHING DETAIL:

TECHNICAL OUT OF POSSESSION
MOVEMENT TO RECEIVE DEFENSIVE ROLES
• Sharp, aggressive movements are needed to move • If needed, provide specific goals for the defensive team
defenders around and create opportunities for to maintain intensity and make the practice realistic.
split passes. • Examples may include praise for specific defensive
• Reinforce the need for attackers to make opposite actions or a points system for regaining the ball.
movements to create space for them to receive –
one high and one low, or one narrow and one wide.
• As well as aggressive movements, small adjustments
in body shape or simply standing still can also create
split-pass opprtunities. Players standing still can receive
and then set to another player to play forward.

BODY SHAPE TO PLAY FORWARD

• Wherever possible, the aim for the player receiving
the ball should be to play forward. This can be done
by receiving with open hips and taking a first touch
forwards.
• If unable to play forward, players should aim to receive
with their hips and shoulders between any defender
and the ball. This then allows the player in possession
to set the ball to a teammate who can then execute
a line-breaking pass.

PASS DETAIL
• Firm and smooth passes are required when breaking
lines to limit the defenders’ chances of intercepting.
• Also consider the use of slower passes to entice
defenders towards the ball before then passing into the
space they leave. Bounce passes are crucial to creating
space in this practice.

AGE PHASE: U12-U16

SMALL-SIDED GAME LINE-BREAKING PASSING

B A

A A B
B

B A
A

FUNCTION
• This practice encourages players to make movements
that create opportunities to make line-breaking passes
in a game-like scenario.
• Two teams of six (plus goalkeepers) set up in a 2-3-1
formation, as shown in the diagram.
• The pitch is split into thirds, with the central third a little
narrower than the attacking and defending thirds.
• To begin with, teams must progress play up the pitch
through each third – the central zone cannot be skipped
out – and all passes must be on the floor. Play can only
be progressed through the thirds with a pass.
• The smaller, central third contains six players, so the
challenge is to manage space in that zone and create
opportunities to pass the ball forwards.
• Progress by allowing the ball to go directly from the
defensive third to the final third. This is a very difficult
pass to do, so reward heavily.
• Progress further by allowing players to dribble from one
third to the next third to create an overload.

AGE PHASE: U12-U16

SMALL-SIDED GAME LINE-BREAKING PASSING

COACHING DETAIL: TECHNICAL

MOVEMENT TO RECEIVE
• Sharp, aggressive movements are needed to move
defenders around and create opportunities for
split passes.
• Reinforce the need for attackers to make opposite
movements to create space for them to receive –
one high and one low, or one narrow and one wide.
• As well as aggressive movements, small adjustments
in body shape or simply standing still can also create
split-pass opprtunities. Players standing still can receive
and then set to another player to play forward.
• It may take two line-breaking passes to reach the goal,
so players have to think about how their movement can
aid the team’s progression up the pitch.

TYPES OF PASS
• Firm and smooth passes are required when breaking
lines to limit the defenders’ chances of intercepting.
• Also consider the use of slower passes to entice
defenders towards the ball before then passing into
the space they leave. Bounce passes are crucial to
creating space.
• Driven or laced passes will be needed over longer
distances as the practice progresses.

AGE PHASE: U12-U16