The shape
A defender in front of the goal area with three players spread across the pitch in front of them: one on each touchline and one in the middle. With the ball the three stretch the full width and the central player drives at the opposition, so there are options everywhere. Without the ball the two wide players drop level with the central one, forming a line of three in front of the single defender. The shape depends on that line moving together.
Roles
- Goalkeeper. The second defender, so must be comfortable coming out. Passes to the defender or the nearest wide player on goal kicks.
- Defender. Stays central and delays anyone who gets past the three. Passes to whichever of the three is free and never dribbles out.
- Wide Players. Give the width and attack when the ball comes to their side. They are also the first line of defence and must track back when the ball is lost.
- Central Player. The main attacker and the busiest player. Receives from the defender, drives forward or passes wide, and presses the opposition defender.
Strengths
- Covers the width of the pitch, so there is always a wide pass on.
- Three children attack, which spreads the goals around.
- The central player gets a lot of touches in a simple shape.
Weaknesses
- A single defender is easily beaten by two attackers.
- Wide players forget to come back and the defender is alone.
- The line of three is flat and dull without a stagger.
When to use it
Use it when your team keeps the ball well and you want wide players to learn the full length of their touchline. It suits a U8 group with three quick runners and a sensible defender who likes reading the game. Avoid it against a team that plays long balls over the top, and rotate who is the lone defender every match.
What to coach in training
- Play 3v2 plus keeper where the three attack, then on losing the ball all three must get behind a cone line before they can defend. It makes the drop back a habit.
- Run a wide channel game where a wide player must receive the ball on their touchline before the team can shoot.
- Set up a 1v1 plus keeper for the defender, who must delay and show the attacker wide while the keeper comes.
Works well against
It suits playing against 2-1-1 and 1-1-2, where the single midfielder is outnumbered by three and the wide players always have space. Against 2-2 it fills the empty middle. It is risky against 1-2-1, where the diamond has a defender covering and two midfielders who will run at your lone defender, so switch back to the diamond if the counter-attacks keep coming.
