Soccer Build-Up Drills
Build-up play is how a team progresses from their own defensive third into attack. FUTNIVO's build-up drills train the principles of playing out from the back — finding the free centre-back, breaking the first press, using the pivot to switch play and progressing through the thirds with composure. These exercises are designed for teams that want to keep possession from the back rather than clearing long, and they include goalkeeper build-up, centre-back overload situations and press-resistance games that simulate opponents pressing high. Each drill connects the first phase of build-up to the next, so players learn to progress the ball as a coordinated unit rather than as isolated positions.
What these drills develop
- Playing out from the back under organised pressure
- Finding and using the free player in the first phase
- Press resistance and composure on the ball
- Progressing through the thirds with coordinated support
- Goalkeeper and centre-back involvement in build-up
How to use these drills
Start with an overload build-up exercise (e.g. 6v4) to give the building team a numerical advantage and time to make decisions, then remove a player to increase pressure. Coach the centre-backs' positioning, the pivot's availability and the goalkeeper's distribution choices. For younger players, use a larger overload and focus on receiving on the half-turn; for older groups, reduce the overload and add a high press to simulate match pressure. Always connect build-up to a finishing or progression target so players see the purpose of playing out.
53 drills
3+2 Build-Up vs Front Four — Far 6 Appears Outside Cover Shadow
Use two midfield supports at different angles so the far 6 appears outside the cover shadow of a ...
4-1 Build-Up Carousel — 6 Rotates Behind the First Press
Move a single pivot behind the first pressing line so the build-up continually creates a new cent...
4-2 Build-Up Box — Centre-Backs and Double Pivot Create Square
Use two centre-backs and two pivots as a four-player box to create multiple diagonal exits agains...
4+GK v4 Asymmetric Build-Up
Build through pressure using the goalkeeper as an extra player
6v5 Build-Up — Double Pivot Escape
Use two pivots at different heights to escape a compact five-player press.
Single-Pivot 3-2 Build-Up — 8s Stay Above First Press
Build with a single pivot while the two 8s resist dropping too early and remain available beyond ...
7v6 Build-Up to Midfield — Break the First Line
Progress from the first build-up line into midfield under organised pressure.
4v3 Wave Build-Up — Progress and Recycle
Develop repeated build-up actions in waves: progress forward when possible, or recycle possession...
Central Build-Up — Find the Pivot
Develop central build-up by creating and finding a pivot player between or beyond the first press...
Wide Build-Up — Escape Through the Side
Develop build-up through a wide sector to escape pressure and progress into the next line.
GK Distribution Under Press — Find the Free Side
Choose the correct distribution option when opponents press the goalkeeper's build-up.
6v5 Press Resistance — Escape the High Press
Retain composure and find the spare player against aggressive pressure.
Centre-Back to Fullback Third-Man — Bounce Around First Press
Develop a third-man build-up solution where the centre-back uses a midfielder's bounce pass to re...
GK Build-Up 4v3 — Play Short or Break the Press
Develop goalkeeper decision-making between short build-up and breaking the first press.
2-3-2 Build-Up — Fullbacks Narrow, Wingers Hold Touchlines
Create a 2-3-2 progression structure with narrow fullbacks underneath two wingers who stay wide.
3-3-1 Build-Up — 6 Central, Fullbacks Higher, 8 Connects Next Line
Create a 3-3-1 build-up reference with the 6 central, fullbacks on the same support line and an 8...
4v3 First-Line Build-Up — Create the Free Player
Create and find the free player in the first build-up line against a three-player press.
5v4 Build-Up — Inverted Fullback Creates Central Overload
Use an inverted fullback to create a central overload and open progression around the first press...
6v4 Build-Up — Find the Free Centre-Back
Create and use a free player during first-phase build-up.
6v6+2 Target Build-Up — Play Through the 8s
Progress from build-up into advanced midfield by finding free number 8s between lines.
7v6 Build-Up — Third-Man Exit from the Back Line
Use a third-man combination to escape the first pressing line during build-up.
8v6 Positional Build-Up — Find the Free 8
Create a free advanced midfielder through positional occupation and controlled circulation.
Back Three Build-Up vs Front Two — Carry or Find Wing-Back
Develop a back three's decision to carry forward or release the wing-back against a two-player fi...
Goal-Kick Build-Up — Split Centre-Backs, Find the 6
Build from a goal kick by creating width with centre-backs and finding the number 6 beyond the fi...
Inverted Fullback Becomes 6 — Centre-Back Holds Wide Build-Up Lane
Rotate the fullback into the pivot space while the centre-back widens to occupy the outside build...
Break the Press — Reach the Next Zone
Develop the ability to break the first pressing line and secure controlled possession in the next...
Build from Goalkeeper — Beat the First Press
Develop controlled build-up from goalkeeper against an active first pressing line.
GK Back-Pass Under Pressure — First Touch and Play Out
Improve goalkeeper first touch, scanning and distribution from a back-pass under pressure.
GK Cross, Shot & Distribution Circuit
Develop goalkeeper decisions across crosses, shots and distribution
GK Distribution Range — Short, Driven, Chipped and Long
Develop a goalkeeper's range and selection of distribution techniques.
GK Distribution to Fullback — Open Body and Switch
Improve goalkeeper distribution into a fullback who can receive open and continue the build-up.
GK Possession Support — 2v2 + 2 Goalkeepers
Develop goalkeeper support angles and decision-making as part of team possession.
GK Press-Beat Bounce — Set, Bounce and Break
Use the goalkeeper and a bounce pass to beat a committed two-player press and progress through th...
3-2 Rest-Defence with Wide Lock — Far CB Tucks, Near FB Controls Counter
Build a 3-2 security structure behind the attack that shifts asymmetrically toward the ball side ...
Asymmetric Double Pivot — Ball-Side 6 Drops, Far 6 Stays High
Create different heights between two pivots so one supports the ball while the far pivot stays av...
Asymmetric Fullbacks — One High, One Tucks Inside
Coordinate asymmetric fullback positions to create width on one side and midfield support on the ...
Back Three + Pivot vs 4 — Draw and Release the Wing-Back
Attract a four-player press centrally and release a wing-back outside the pressing line.
Back-Three Plus 6 — Wingers Drop Only After First Line Break
Keep wingers high during early build-up and delay their drop until the first pressing line has be...
Box Midfield Shape — Two 6s, Two 10s Between Lines
Develop spacing and circulation in a four-player box midfield with two deeper and two advanced mi...
Centre-Back Carry Trigger — Step In When the Pivot Is Marked
Teach the centre-back to recognise when an unopposed carry can create the free player in midfield.
Centre-Back Step-In — Carry to Create Midfield Overload
Use a centre-back carry to commit the first line and create an extra midfielder around the ball.
Double-Pivot Stagger — One Shows, One Runs Beyond
Develop complementary movement between two pivots so one offers underneath while the other threat...
Fullback Drops Into Back Three — Winger Holds High
Create a temporary back three by dropping one fullback while keeping the winger high to preserve ...
Goal-Kick Fullback Bounce — Draw Press and Escape Outside
Use a fullback bounce pass to escape a high press from a goal kick.
Goalkeeper as Third Centre-Back — Split CBs, Fullbacks Stay Mid-Line
Use the goalkeeper as the central player of a temporary back three while centre-backs split and f...
Pivot Drops Between Centre-Backs — Build a Back Three
Develop the timing of a pivot dropping between split centre-backs to create a temporary back thre...
Switch Through the 6 — Release Opposite Fullback
Develop switching the point of attack through the number 6 to release the opposite fullback beyon...
Wide Centre-Back Step-In — Turn 3-2 Into 2-3
Coordinate a wide centre-back stepping into midfield so the team changes from a 3-2 build-up line...
6v4 Build-Out — Switch Away from Pressure
Recognise pressure on one side during build-out and switch quickly to progress through the weak s...
Clipped Pass Over Pressure — Cushion and Connect
Develop a controlled clipped pass over short pressure and a soft first touch that allows the rece...
Pass-and-Reappear — Play Inside, Move Outside the Cover Shadow
Teach the passer to relocate after playing inside so the player becomes available again outside t...
Build-Up Loss Emergency 3v3 — CBs Delay, 6 Recovers Central
Defend an immediate 3v3 after losing the ball in build-up by delaying with centre-backs while the...
Build-Up Through the Pivot — Find the Third Player
Use the pivot as a connector to find a third player beyond pressure during build-up.
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