Break the Line: Midfield

Set up

Field

Divide a full field into thirds with cones and use the middle and attacking thirds for the activity.

Players

12 or more players. In the defensive third, set up 2 defenders against 2 attackers. In the middle third, use 4 attacking midfielders against 3 defensive midfielders. Put the defending group in alternate-colored jerseys.

Keeper

Yes. Put a goalkeeper in the goal.

Balls

Keep plenty of balls with the coach so any phase can be restarted immediately.

How it runs

1. 1.Start each phase with the coach positioned on the sideline.
2. 2.The coach begins by serving the ball into the attacking midfield group.
3. 3.The midfielders look to penetrate quickly by finding an attacker in the attacking third.
4. 4.Everyone stays in the assigned third except the midfielder who advances the ball into the attacking third.
5. 5.The midfielder who plays the forward pass follows it into the attacking third, creating a 3v2 there.
6. 6.If the defenders win possession, they keep the ball away from the attacking group.