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8v5 Tactical Game – Building Up from the Back Against High Pressing

The primary objective of this exercise is to practice building out from the back and constructing attacks in a reduced space against high-intensity pressing.
For the attacking team, correct positioning, decision-making, and ball security are emphasized, while the defending team focuses on ball recovery and immediate, fast finishing.

Published: 18.09.2025.

Last updated:

Category: Soccer Drills - Soccer Tactics

Age: 14 - 20+

Difficulty: 3

Space: Half Field

Keeper: 1,2

Players: 16 - 20

Team

Organisation

Pitch: Reduced field (approx. 50x50m), with a full-size goal and goalkeeper on one end line, and two small goals on the opposite end line.
Wide Zones: Two channels are marked on both flanks, where the fullbacks operate during the build-up.
Players: 8+1 (goalkeeper) for the attacking team, 5 players for the defending team.
Attacking Team (8+1):
Inside the main area: 2 center backs and 3 central midfielders.
Wall players: 2 fullbacks positioned in the wide channels, and 1 central target player between the small goals. All three are limited to two touches.
Defending Team (5): 2 strikers pressing high, with 3 midfielders behind them – simulating the high press of a 4-1-3-2 formation.

Description and Graphics

The exercise begins with the goalkeeper, as the attacking team looks to build out from the back and progress through the reduced space.
Scoring options:
Through the center (deep play): Playing the target player (center), who lays the ball off for a teammate to finish on the small goal. In this case, the goal counts as 2 points.
Through the wide channels: Attacks built via the fullbacks without using the target player. In this case, the goal counts as 1 point.
The fullbacks and the central target player are restricted to two touches only.
In case of ball loss, the defending team is under a time constraint and must attempt to finish quickly. The attacking team reacts with immediate counterpressing, while the fullbacks can recover defensively, replicating match situations.