Playing through (Breaking the lines)

Objective – How to “play through the lines”.

What is it?
It is playing the ball past one or more layers of the opponent’s defensive structure—whether bypassing their forwards, midfield, or even their backline. Its about deliberate, precise actions that create opportunities to progress toward the goal.

Coaching Points

1. Positioning: Finding Gaps
   1. Teach your players to scan and position themselves between lines of pressure—ideally between the opponent’s midfield and defensive lines.
   2. Encourage midfielders and forwards to constantly adjust their positions to make themselves available for passes.
   3. Use rondos or positional games where players must receive the ball in tight spaces to emphasise positioning.
2. Timing: Synchronising Movements
   1. Successful line-breaking passes rely on perfect timing. The passer and receiver must work in unison, with the receiver moving into space as the passer is ready to deliver.
   2. Create exercises where the pass is delayed unless the receiver’s movement is well-timed to meet the ball in space.
3. Technique: Precision Passing & Receiving
   1. Players need the technical skills to execute sharp, accurate passes and clean first touches to control the ball under pressure. Focus on body positioning to cushion the ball or turn away from pressure.
   2. Include passing drills that mimic match intensity—short, firm passes combined with controlled first touches.
4. Deception & Disguise: Hiding Intentions
   1. Breaking lines often involves fooling the opponent. Encourage your players to use subtle body feints or no-look passes to disguise their intentions, keeping defenders guessing.
   2. Use 2v2 or 3v3 exercises where players score points for deceptive moves leading to a line-breaking pass.
5. Scanning: Awareness Before Receiving
   1. Teach your players to check their surroundings frequently before receiving the ball. This ensures they’re aware of available options and pressure, allowing for quicker decisions.
   2. Incorporate scanning challenges into small-sided games. Award points for players who make decisions based on pre-scan awareness.

What do players need to be successful

1. Decision-Making Under Pressure – risk versus reward.
2. Mobility Off the Ball: Players must be constantly creating space or exploiting gaps.
3. Bravery: Breaking lines requires confidence to attempt difficult passes or receive in high-pressure zones.

Tactical Considerations

1. Vertical vs. Diagonal Passes:
   While vertical passes are direct, diagonal passes can often break lines with less risk by creating better angles for the receiver.
2. Patience vs. Urgency:
   Not every forward pass needs to break a line. Teach players to recognise when to circulate the ball versus when to take a risk.
3. Support After the Break:
   Breaking lines is just the first step. Ensure that teammates support the receiver immediately, either with runs beyond or quick lateral options.

Final Thought:

1. Line-breaking is as much a mindset as it is a skill. Help your players build confidence through repetition, tactical clarity, and freedom to experiment. Breaking lines isn’t just about beating defenders; it’s about empowering your team to control the game and dictate the tempo.
2. Challenge them: how often can they break lines in training? Start small, build awareness, and watch as your team’s attack transforms into a potent force.

Check for understanding

1. Where can you position yourself to be available between the opponent’s lines?
2. What cues can you look for from your teammates to know when to move into a gap?
3. How do you decide when to move into space for a line-breaking pass?”
4. What’s the best way to control the ball when receiving under pressure from behind?
5. What type of pass most effectively breaks a defensive line—flat, driven, chipped, or another?
6. How can you use your body to trick an opponent before passing or receiving?
7. What are some ways to make a defender think you’re passing somewhere else?
8. What’s the advantage of knowing where your next pass will go before the ball reaches you?
9. How do you decide whether to attempt a risky line-breaking pass or play it safe?”
10. What should you do after breaking a line to help maintain possession or create a scoring chance?

“The secret is in the off-the-ball movement. If you stand still, you are easy to mark. But if you move, you create space—not just for yourself, but for your teammates.” – Pep Guardiola

Playing through – 3 example games:

3v2 Breakout. – Play through a press to earn an overloaded attack at goal.

3v3 BreakOut – Breaking lines with fast passes then finishing the attack.

Drop In Zones – use the correct weight and timing of pass to break lines.

Checking for implementation:

1. Positioning – Are players finding and utilizing spaces between the defensive lines?
2. Timing – Are the passes delivered at the right moment to exploit gaps?
3. Technique – Is the pass weighted appropriately to allow the receiver to maintain momentum?
4. Scanning – Are players scanning the field before passing or receiving to identify options and anticipate pressure?
5. Support Play – After the pass, do teammates provide immediate support to maintain possession or advance the attack?

Typical lessons to highlight

1. Execution vs. Decision-Making: are  errors are technical (e.g., poor weight of pass) or tactical (e.g., forcing the pass when options are limited).
2. Triggers for Line-Breaking Passes: what triggers a good opportunity (e.g., opponent stepping out, teammate finding space).
3. Risk vs. Reward: Encourage players to balance boldness with patience.

“You have to be in the right place at the right moment, not too early, not too late. Timing is everything.” – Johan Cruyff

Home » GamePlay >> Playing through, Done » Playing through (Breaking the lines)