The shape
A back three, two wing-backs outside a double pivot, a number 10 and two strikers. With the ball the wing-backs push high and the 10 plays between the lines behind the pair. Without it the wing-backs drop in to make a five, the 10 falls level with the pivots and the shape becomes a 5-3-2 with the strikers screening.
Roles
- Goalkeeper. Builds through the back three and the two pivots. Alert to balls over a stretched back three.
- Centre Backs. Three who hold the line and pass out. The outer two step to the wide forwards; the middle one covers and marks the dropping striker.
- Wing Backs. Supply all the width. Get high when the team has the ball and back alongside the centre backs when it is lost.
- Double Pivot. Screen the back three, keep the ball moving and release the wing-backs. One holds when the other steps.
- Number 10. Plays between their midfield and defence, links the pivots to the strikers and presses their holding midfielder.
- Strikers. Stretch the back four and combine with the 10. One drops, one goes. Both press the centre backs when the ball is lost.
Strengths
- Three attackers close together plus wing-backs give plenty of threats.
- A spare man at the back makes passing out easier.
- Two pivots protect the back three and release the wing-backs safely.
- Suits a squad with several centre backs, a creative player and two strikers.
Weaknesses
- Narrow in attack unless the wing-backs are brave.
- Wing-backs can be isolated against two wide players.
- Asks a lot of the back three against wide forwards and fast counters.
- If the 10 goes missing, the pivots have no link to the strikers.
When to use it
Pick it when your best player is a number 10, you have two strikers and your defenders prefer the comfort of a back three. It suits a team that wants to keep the ball through the middle and an opponent who plays a 4-4-2. Good for an under 16s or adult squad with wing-backs who can run all game. Avoid it against a 4-3-3 with quick wingers unless your wing-backs are up to it, and avoid it on a very wide pitch.
What to coach in training
- Combination game for the 10 and strikers: 3v3 plus a server in a 30 by 20 box, scoring from a one-two or a third-man run so the three attackers learn each other's movement.
- Wing-back release pattern: a pivot receives from an outer centre back, plays into the 10 who sets it to the far pivot, who switches to the wing-back arriving high.
- Back three against two strikers and a 10 in a 3v3 plus keeper, defending for one minute at a time, so the centre backs learn when to step out and when to hold.
Works well against
Well suited to a 4-4-2, where three centre backs handle the two strikers and the 10 finds the space behind their midfield pair. It struggles against a 4-3-3 or 3-4-3 with wide forwards who pin the wing-backs back and starve your 10 and strikers, so against those the pivots must give the width and the 10 must drop deeper.
