The shape
Two backs at the top of the circle, the centre forward dropped into the middle of the pitch as a link player, and two forwards high and wide. It is the 2-3 with the centre forward pulled back 15 metres to fill the gap the 2-3 leaves. With the ball the backs feed the middle player, who turns and plays to a wide forward or carries into the circle. Without the ball the middle player sits in front of the backs and the wide forwards press from halfway.
Roles
- Goalkeeper. Has a screen in front of the backs so can play shorter. Outlets to a back, or straight to the middle player if the backs are pressed.
- Left back and right back. Play wider than in the 2-3 because the middle is covered. Carry to halfway and pass, or give the ball to the middle player early.
- Centre forward (as the middle player). Receives facing their own goal, turns and plays forward. Arrives late in the circle for the second shot and screens the backs on the turnover.
- Left forward and right forward. Stay wide and high. Receive from the middle player, carry to the baseline and cross, or cut inside and shoot. Press the opposition backs together.
Strengths
- Controls the middle of a pitch that the 2-3 leaves empty.
- The backs always have a short option, so the outlet is calmer.
- A natural screen in front of the two backs on the counter.
- Develops a central midfielder, which your 11-a-side teams will need.
Weaknesses
- Only two players high, so the press is weaker.
- If the middle player is marked the shape becomes a 2-0-2.
- The wide forwards are isolated if the middle player is slow to join.
- Needs one player who can receive under pressure and turn, which is rare at under 10.
When to use it
Pick it when one player can receive and turn in traffic, and when the 2-3 is being overrun through the middle. It suits an under 12 side moving towards 7-a-side and 11-a-side shapes, because the middle player learns the centre half job. A strong choice against a quick counter-attacking side, since the middle player slows them before they reach your backs. Avoid it if your best finisher would be the one in the middle.
What to coach in training
- Turning under pressure: a back plays the ball, a defender closes from behind, the middle player receives on the open stick side, turns and plays to a wide forward.
- Three against three plus goalkeepers on a half pitch, with every attack going through the middle player once.
- Counter defending: the two backs and the middle player defend against three attackers breaking from halfway, the middle player delaying the carrier so the backs can set.
Works well against
The 2-1-2 beats a 2-3 whose centre forward stays high, because your middle player owns the space between their backs and their forwards. It is also sound against a 3-2, since the extra player in the middle can press their spare defender. Against another 2-1-2 it comes down to whose middle player gets on the ball more.
