The Debrief · Football explained
How teams play through the lines
Vertical progression: how a team moves the ball forward past each line of the defence.
By Harry Lowe · 6 min read
Read the article →
Introduction
A defence is set out in lines: usually the forwards, the midfield and the back line. Every time the ball gets past one of those lines, there are fewer defenders between it and the goal.
Vertical progression is how a team does that. It can be a pass, a run with the ball or a combination of players, and the best teams have more than one way of doing it.
Here are five things to watch for. In every board, Blue has the ball and attacks up the page.
01 · The spare player
Count the players at the back
- What you see
- When the team builds from the back, a midfielder drops between or alongside the centre-backs.
- How the team does it
- The midfielder joins the back line, the centre-backs split wider and the full-backs push higher.
- Why the team does it
- Against two forwards, two centre-backs are matched. A third player gives the team someone with time on the ball.
- What is the benefit
- The free player can pass forward or carry the ball, which is where progression starts.
02 · The carry
Watch the centre-back carry it forward
- What you see
- A defender runs forward with the ball into the space in front of them instead of passing straight away.
- How the team does it
- When the opposition forwards hold their position, the centre-back carries the ball until someone comes out to stop them.
- Why the team does it
- Someone has to leave their position to meet the ball carrier, and that leaves a teammate free.
- What is the benefit
- The carry can move the ball past the first line without a pass, and it often opens the next pass forward.
03 · The line-breaking pass
Find the pass through a line
- What you see
- A pass travels forward past a line of opponents, usually through the gap between two of them, to a teammate standing behind them.
- How the team does it
- A player positions themselves in the space behind a line, and the player on the ball plays the pass through the gap.
- Why the team does it
- One pass takes a whole line of defenders out of the game.
- What is the benefit
- The receiver is now facing fewer defenders, closer to goal, and the defenders who were bypassed have to turn and run back.
04 · Between the lines
Look for the player in the pocket
- What you see
- A midfielder or forward finds space between the opposition midfield and back line, and receives there.
- How the team does it
- They drift into the gap behind the midfield, often standing side-on so they can see the goal and the ball at the same time.
- Why the team does it
- The space between the lines is hard to defend. The midfielders have their backs to it and the defenders are often reluctant to step out.
- What is the benefit
- A player who can turn there has the whole defence in front of them, with passes, runs and shots to choose from.
05 · The third player
Spot the third-man run
- What you see
- The ball goes forward to one player, who lays it off, often first time, to a teammate running past them.
- How the team does it
- The striker drops to receive, plays a one-touch pass, and the third player arrives beyond the midfield at speed.
- Why the team does it
- The defenders follow the ball to the player who dropped, and lose the runner who was not involved in the first pass.
- What is the benefit
- The third player receives facing forward, in space, past a line of defenders, which is hard to achieve with a single pass.
06 · Put it into practice
Try it on a match
Take one team and watch ten of their build-ups from the back. Each time, note how the ball got past the opponent’s first line: a pass, a carry or a combination.
Then note how far each attack got. Which method took the ball furthest? Did one player keep appearing between the lines?
Then use What? How? Why? to explain one example. Width helps teams play through the lines, so read Why teams use width next.
The Debrief · Football explained
How teams play through the lines
Vertical progression: how a team moves the ball forward past each line of the defence.
By Harry Lowe · 6 min read
Read the article →Introduction
A defence is set out in lines: usually the attacking, the midfield and the defensive line. Every time the ball gets past one of those lines, there are fewer defenders between it and the goal.
Vertical progression is how a team does that. It can be a pass, a run with the ball or a combination of players, and the best teams have more than one way of doing it.
Here are five things to watch for. In every board, Blue has the ball and attacks up the page.
01 · The spare player
Count the players at the back
- What you see
- When the team builds from the back, typically, a midfielder drops between or alongside the centre-backs.
- How the team does it
- The midfielder joins the back line, the centre-backs split wider and the full-backs push higher.
- Why the team does it
- Against two forwards, two centre-backs are matched. A third player gives the team someone with time on the ball creating an overload.
- What is the benefit
- The free player can pass forward or carry the ball, which is where progression starts.
02 · The carry
Watch the centre-back carry it forward
- What you see
- A defender runs forward with the ball into the space in front of them instead of passing straight away.
- How the team does it
- When the opposition forwards hold their position, the centre-back carries the ball until someone comes out to stop them.
- Why the team does it
- Someone has to leave their position to meet the ball carrier, and that leaves a teammate free. Attract the press.
- What is the benefit
- The carry can move the ball past the attacking line without a pass, and it often opens the next pass forward.
03 · The line-breaking pass
Find the pass through a line
- What you see
- A pass travels forward past a line of opponents, usually through the gap between two of them, to a teammate standing behind them.
- How the team does it
- A player positions themselves in the space behind a line, and the player on the ball plays the pass through the gap.
- Why the team does it
- One pass can eliminate a whole line of the opposition out of the game.
- What is the benefit
- The receiver is now facing fewer defenders, closer to goal, and the defenders who were bypassed have to turn and recover.
04 · Between the lines
Look for the player in the half space
- What you see
- A midfielder or forward finds space between the opposition midfield and defensive line, and receives there.
- How the team does it
- They move into the area behind the midfield, often standing side-on so they can see the goal and the ball at the same time.
- Why the team does it
- The space between the lines is hard to defend. The midfielders have their backs to it and the defenders are often reluctant to step out.
- What is the benefit
- A player who can turn there has the defence in front of them, with passes, runs and shots to choose from as their next action.
05 · The third player
Spot the third-man run
- What you see
- A player makes a forward run in support of their teammate, often in behind or into the half space. A player will either aim to find this movement directly or via a teammate.
- How the team does it
- The striker drops to receive, plays a one-touch pass, and the third player arrives beyond the midfield at speed.
- Why the team does it
- The defenders follow the ball to the player who dropped, and lose the runner who was not involved in the first pass. Its a difficult run to track.
- What is the benefit
- The third player receives facing forward, in space, past a line of defenders, which is hard to achieve with a single pass.
06 · Put it into practice
Try it on a match
Take one team and watch ten of their build-ups from the back that successfully penetrate the opponents lines. Each time, note how the ball got past the opponent’s first line: a pass, a carry or a combination.
Then note how far each attack progressed. Which method took the ball furthest? Did one player keep appearing between the lines?
Then use What? How? Why? to explain one example. Width helps teams play through the lines, so read Why teams use width next.