Football/Soccer Session (Academy Sessions): 8v6 Breakout game

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PRINCIPLES OF PLAY

To develop players’ ability to defend crosses by: • Placing them in conditioned games that encourage attacks around the box  

• Creating situations in which defenders have to make quick decisions as to how to defend from crosses.

8v6 BREAKOUT GAME

• This practice is an 8v6 breakout game.  

• In the initial playing area, a 6v6 plays out. Once the attacking red team makes five passes, they are able to break out of the initial playing area into the crossing area.  

FUNCTION
• This breakout game initially takes place in a 30m x
30m zone (the smaller box in the diagram). This zone
is placed about 30m from a goal with a goalkeeper.
Between the square zone and the goal is the crossing
zone, which measures 40m by 30m. Two mini-goals
are positioned 10m from the initial playing zone on an
end line, and two more are placed 5m from the corners
of the initial playing zone. This set-up is shown in
the diagram.
• In order for the attacking team (Team A) to break out
of the initial 6v6 playing zone, they have to complete
5 passes. Once these passes have been made, they
can play either of the teammates who are positioned
outside the initial playing zone on the border of the
crossing zone. The offside rule applies throughout.
Team A may play through balls centrally if the
defending team defend too wide.
• Once a wide player receives a pass in the crossing zone,
they are limited to three touches.
• Three Team A attackers and two Team B defenders can
enter the crossing zone.
• If the defending team wins the ball, they should attempt
to score into any one of the four mini-goals.
DEVELOPING THE PRACTICE
• To progress the practice, the coach can allow an extra
defender to recover into the crossing zone.
• They can also allow an extra attacker to enter the
crossing zone to put further stress on the defenders.