In this session, Birmingham City professional development phase lead coach Martyn Olorenshaw takes a group of Under-18 players through a series of practices designed to develop their ability to build out from the back against a team defending in a 4-4-2 shape.

The session – filmed exclusively for Coaches’ Voice – is led by Olorenshaw, alongside age phase coach Danny Barham and physical performance coach Will Brant. It starts with a technical passing practice, and moves on to a rondo-style possession-transfer game, before finishing on an 11v11 game that focuses on the coached team’s ability to transition from a 4-2-3-1 shape into a 3-4-3 box when building play from the back.

It’s a well-designed and delivered session with a clear focus on the build and connect phase of the game, which is one of four game moments in the academy’s model. We hope you enjoy it!

Please also click below to access an accompanying session plan in PDF form.