Possession

Playing Through the Thirds Soccer Drill

Playing through the thirds teaches a team to build from the back to the front one zone at a time instead of hitting long balls and hoping. The area is split into three zones, each with its own small battle, so players learn exactly when a forward pass is on and when it is better to keep it and recycle.

AgesU11 to adult
Players7 to 17
Space45 × 30 m
Time20 min
IntensityMedium

Animate it in DrawTactics

It develops line-breaking passes, movement between defenders and receiving on the half turn. It suits teams moving into bigger-sided football who want to build out with purpose, and it fits well after a rondo or a possession game in the middle of a session.

Setup

Mark a 45 × 30 m area and split it into three thirds of 15 m each. There is an overload in every third: 3 Reds against 1 Blue at the back, 3 Reds against 2 Blues in the middle, and 2 Reds against 1 Blue at the top, which is 12 players. Everyone stays in their own third, though one Red may step up to make an extra player. The Reds score by dribbling over the top line. If the Blues win it, they score by dribbling over the bottom line, and the Reds restart from their back third.

EquipmentDiscs to mark the thirds, Bibs, Supply of balls at the back

How it works

A Red in the back third passes across to a teammate, and the lone Blue there presses the receiver.
A middle-third Red moves into a gap to show, receives the forward pass, and a Blue in the middle closes them down.
The middle Red plays forward into the top third while a second top-third Red runs beyond toward the far end.
The top-third Red slips the ball on to that runner.
The runner dribbles over the top line to score.

Diagram of the playing through the thirds soccer drill with every pass and run — Every step of the drill on one diagram.

Coaching points

Play forward when you can, back or across when you can't
Players in the next third find the gaps between defenders before the ball arrives
Receive facing forward wherever possible: half turn, open hips
Quick passing moves the ball faster than the defenders can shift
Pass across the back third to drag the defender, then play through the space it leaves

Make it harder

The passer follows the ball into the next third
Two-touch limit in the middle third
Limit the back third to two touches

Make it easier

Remove a defender from the middle third
Allow unlimited touches in the back third
Let the ball be played back a third to restart the build

Adapting it by age

U8–U10

Keep it to two zones in a 30 × 20 m area: 3v1 at the back and 2v1 at the front. Count a point every time the ball reaches the front zone, and don't limit touches.

U12–U14

Use the full three thirds at 45 × 30 m with the default numbers. Add the rule that the passer follows into the next third once they find the forward pass regularly.

U15 to adult

Stretch the area to 55 × 35 m, add a second Blue in the middle third, and turn on the counter rule so a lost ball is punished. Two touches in every third.

Common mistakes

The back third keeps passing sideways and never looks forward. Set a time limit, for example the ball must reach the middle third within eight seconds.

Middle players hide behind the defenders and can't be found. Coach them to move off the defender's shoulder into the passing lane, and to check before they show.

Receivers take the ball facing their own goal and have to play backward. Ask them to check over their shoulder first and receive on the back foot so they can turn in one touch.

Players drift out of their third, which takes away the overloads. Keep the zone lines clearly marked and only allow the one step-up player you have agreed.

FAQ

What does playing through the thirds mean in soccer?
It means moving the ball from the defensive third through midfield into the attacking third with passes, instead of skipping midfield with long balls.

Why give the attackers an overload in each third?
The extra player makes it possible to keep the ball under pressure. As the team improves, remove the overload so the forward pass has to be earned.

Make this drill your own

Open the playing through the thirds soccer drill in DrawTactics to change the numbers and the size of the area, move the players, and export your own animation or diagram for your team. Or add it to a free session plan and print it.

Animate it in DrawTactics