Build-Up Play Patterns
Most coaches watch attacking play backwards. They see the shot, the cross, the final pass, and assume that’s where the analysis should focus. But goals aren’t created in the final third. They’re created in the build-up.
The 43 finishing sessions in the 360TFT collection work because they connect to systematic build-up patterns. You can’t coach clinical finishing without understanding how chances are created in the first place.
How attacks actually begin:
Build-up play starts the moment you win the ball. Not when you reach the final third. Not when you’re in a “good position.” The moment possession changes hands.
Your first analytical question shouldn’t be “what happened in the final third?” It should be “what happened in the first 3 seconds after we won the ball?”
The Build-Up Phases:
Phase 1: Immediate Recovery (0-3 seconds after ball win)
- Where was the ball won?
- How many opponents were already pressing the ball winner?
- What passing options were immediately available?
- How quickly did the ball winner recognise the best option?
Phase 2: Initial Progression (3-8 seconds)
- Did we move the ball away from pressure?
- Were players moving to create passing lanes?
- Did we maintain possession or rush the next phase?
- How did the opposition react to our ball progression?
Phase 3: Final Third Entry (8+ seconds)
- How did we enter the final third (wide, central, through balls)?
- Were we building patiently or looking for immediate chances?
- What was the numerical situation when we arrived in dangerous areas?
Identifying build-up triggers:
Build-up triggers are the moments that determine whether an attack develops into a genuine chance or dies out in midfield.
Positive Triggers:
- Ball winner immediately finds a forward pass
- Players move to create space before the ball arrives
- Quick combination play that eliminates pressing players
- Switches of play that move the ball away from congestion
Negative Triggers:
- Ball winner takes too many touches before passing
- Players standing static when ball is won
- Playing back towards our own goal when forward options exist
- Hesitation that allows opposition to organise defensively
Common build-up breakdowns:
The Panic Pass:
Winning the ball but immediately giving it away due to poor decision-making under pressure. This often happens when players haven’t practiced receiving and passing under immediate pressure.
The Static Support:
Players not moving to help the ball winner, forcing them into poor passing decisions. Watch for teammates who stand still when possession is won instead of creating passing angles.
The Wrong Direction:
Playing backwards or sideways when forward options exist. This kills attacking momentum and allows opposition to recover their defensive shape.
The Missed Switch:
Failing to move the ball away from pressure when space exists on the opposite side of the pitch. Teams that build up effectively use the full width of the pitch.
Analysis Focus Points:
When analysing build-up play, track these specific elements:
- Time from ball win to forward pass: How quickly do we move the ball towards goal?
- Number of players involved in build-up: Are we using enough players to maintain possession?
- Direction changes: How often do we switch the point of attack?
- Opposition response time: How long does it take them to reorganise after we win the ball?