Line-Breaking Passing & Movement | 3v3 Possession Basics

Overview

• Set up 3 players up top and 3 players down low to keep possession
• Use 4 mannequins (or marked spots) in the middle to recreate a defensive line
• Run it with 7 players in a compact 30m × 20m grid
• Total time 15–20 minutes, worked through in stages

Objectives

• Get players hitting accurate passes right through the defensive line
• Sharpen their eye for gaps so they push the ball forward the moment one opens up
• Build the habit of moving the instant they pass (ball & movement)
• Train fast decisions and fast execution under the clock

Setup

Two groups — one up top, one down low — keep the ball inside the grid and hunt for passes through the defensive line marked out by the mannequins. Ramp up the difficulty stage by stage and your players will start to feel how line-breaking actually works.

１）Basic setup (5 min)

Split into an upper and lower group with different bib colors. Drop 4 mannequins across the middle to form a “defensive line” between the two groups. The ball starts with the upper team.

２）Base drill (8–10 min)

The upper three keep the ball moving and look for a pass through the gaps between the mannequins. Break through and it goes to the lower group — same job for them. Lose it and the other team has the ball. Aim for around 15–20 reps per group.

３）Pick up the tempo (5 min)

Count the successes and switch to “how many times can you break the line in one minute?” It really cranks up the pace.