Line breakers

by Tony Carr in Attacking, Practice plans

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If a team can improve its forward passing and make runs that break the opponent’s defensive
line, goals are likely to be scored. These types of runs and passes are made to get behind the
opponent and into goalscoring positions.
What this session is about
1.  Making positive forward passes.
2.  Making positive forward runs.
3.  Creating chances to score.
What to think about
The defensive line is simply the line made by the opponent’s defence across the width of the
pitch.
Passes or runs that bisect this line are termed as “breaking the line”.
This type of pass/run between defenders is very effective and will force the opposition to face
the goal it is defending and chase back to defend.
Set-up
Warm
Warm up Session Developments Game Situation
Down

10 minutes 15 minutes 15 minutes 15 minutes 5

minutes
What you get your players to do
Mark out an area with mannequins/flags to represent defenders across the halfway line. Two
groups work at the same time.
White players take turns receiving the ball as a midfielder (M1), who then turns to make a
pass behind the defence for a wide player (W1 or W2) to break the line with a run into space
to meet the ball.
The wide player receives the ball and joins the back of the black team’s line. M1 now
becomes the new wide player.
Meanwhile, black players take turns receiving the ball as a midfielder (M2), who then turns
to make a pass that breaks the defensive line for either centre forward (F1 or F2) to run on to
in a central area.
The forward receives the ball then joins the back of the white team line nearest to them. M2
replaces the previous forward.
Midfielders (M1 and M2) receive passes and play line breaking passes through to a winger or
forward to run on to.

Development
Using the same size area as above, remove the mannequins and add six mini or cone goals, as
shown in the middle picture.
Use two teams. Each has four defenders, two midfielders and one forward. Three neutrals (N)
also play – one on each wing and one inside the pitch.
The aim is to score in the opponent’s mini goals by using the 10v7 advantage and by scoring
with a pass rather than a hard shot at goal.
A pass into the goal mimics the action of making a pass that breaks the defensive line, as an
attacking team would want to do in a match.
Neutrals (N) help the team in possession to create a 10v7 with the emphasis on passing the
ball into one of three opposition mini goals.

Game situation
Extend the playing area, mark out a zone and add a goal at each end. Use two teams, each has
a keeper, four defenders, two midfielders and a forward.
Again there are three neutral players (N) who play for the team in possession.
Teams try to build up play and make passes or runs to break the defensive line and get into
the opponent’s end zone to score. Neutral players are limited to two touches.
Wide neutrals can now run into the pitch from the outside to break the defensive line. The
team that scores most goals wins.
Neutrals (N) are used again to help break the line with a pass into an end zone to create a
goalscoring chance.

What to call out

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About Tony Carr

Tony Carr is one of the most influential figures in English football. The former West Ham
Academy director has brought through – from the youth team to the first team – players like
Glen Johnson, John Terry, Rio Ferdinand, Frank Lampard, Michael Carrick, Joe Cole and
Jermain Defoe.
View all posts by Tony Carr >
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