Rehanne Skinner: Using the goalkeeper for successful build-up

Successfully moving the ball from defence into attack requires intelligent movement, precise passing, quick decision-making and bravery on the ball. Players need to perform these skills effectively so as to avoid losing possession in dangerous areas and putting their team under pressure.

Adopting a positive mindset and demanding the ball can be vital, providing a strong foundation when asked to build from the back. Moreover, to be better equipped to evade the opposition’s press and advance into attacking areas with purpose, players also need to be able to make quick decisions on the ball – based on the opposition’s actions – and to understand their role within the team’s set-up.

In this session, Tottenham Hotspur Women’s head coach, Rehanne Skinner, shares a range of drills that help players to build from the back efficiently when faced with various challenges. The focus of the session involves working on the key fundamentals, whilst gradually increasing the pitch size. Players initially work on progressing the ball through the central corridor on a small pitch, before the pitch size is increased to cater for a 10v10 game in which the full-backs play a more prominent role. The next drill involves an 11v9 game, which is played on a pitch that is larger than the one used in the previous exercises. Finally, all of these learnt elements are brought together onto a full-size pitch, where the players contest an 11v11 game.

Session overview

This session generally involves 22 players; however, some players may be rested in parts 2 and 3 and consideration should be given to rotating players throughout. In Part 1, players can be split into two groups that perform the same exercise.

• Part 1: playing through the thirds in tight spaces
• Part 2: 10v10 including goalkeepers: overloading the wide areas
• Part 3: 11v9 including goalkeepers: pressing and playing through the press
• Part 4: 11v11: building from the back

Key coaching points

• To move the ball effectively through the thirds, players need to adopt a positive and brave mindset, including being willing to get on the ball.
• Full-backs are a vital tool when it comes to building from the back and should be given licence to stay wide and provide passing options.
• When a team-mate is in possession, players should always be aware of the space around them and their angle of support. This enables them to receive the ball, open their body up and find space more easily.
• Encourage players to come and show for the ball. All players need to demand the ball in order to enable effective build-up, whilst midfielders are tasked with seeking pockets of space.
• Pass and receipt characteristics are an important consideration for players, who need to decide whether the pass should be played to the receiver’s front or back foot.
• Ideally, the pass should allow the receiver to break the defensive line with their first touch.

This training session was designed with specific game scenarios in mind and seeks to tackle the following question: when building from the back, how can players recognise and create space to play and receive passes that will allow them to progress the ball successfully into attacking areas? The objective is to offer players the solutions and skills to adapt to the opposition’s behaviour in terms of the nature of the press that they apply.