Free Midfield Progression Exercises

Progressing the ball from midfield into the final third has become one of the biggest challenges for possession-based coaches. With defensive units becoming more efficient and effective in their organization, plus the constant threat of the counter attack, many teams are almost reluctant to progress the ball centrally against a low block. In this week's MSC Breakdown, we look at ways that teams can coach this challenging aspect of the game by breaking the exercises into three key areas.

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You can also get the exercise details and dimensions below:

Exercise One: Vincent Kompany 2v2+1

• Exercise takes place in a 20x20 yard area with 2 neutral players who work in between the mini-goals.

• Game starts with a traditional 2v2 in the middle.

• The team in possession can use the two neutrals to maintain possession and score in the two mini goals.

• The neutrals should be used for wall passes (pass forward and run to receive) in order to score.

• If a goal is scored or ball leaves the pitch then the game is over and four new players enter the pitch.

• The first team to score 10 goals win the game!

Exercise Two: Roberto De Zerbi 6v3 Zonal Game

Number of Players: 9

Dimensions: 2x20 yard area, split into four zones

Details:

- Possession team are set-up with two target players on the outside and one player occupying each zone on the inside.

- Players on the inside must stay in their zones.

- The objective of the exercise is for the possession team to transfer the ball from one target player across to the other, using the overload in the middle, for one point.

- The defensive players (in red) are looking to win the ball back immediately and can more freely in the zones.

- If the defensive team win the ball back, they can score one point for three successive passes in the transition.

Exercise Three: Thomas Tuchel 8v8+1 Octagon Game

• Fifteen players are organized into two teams of seven (including a GK) and one neutral. Players are organized in an octagon shaped pitch, with no corners (approximately 30x40 yards)

• This constraint challenges players to solve problems centrally.

• The team with possession of the ball has access to the neutral as an overload and is looking to progress possession through the thirds to score.

• Once play progresses into the final third, attacking players are free to move in support of the attack.

• With limited depth and width, players must solve problems with combination play and intricate passing.