The shape
Six players including the goalkeeper. Two backs sit side by side at the top of the circle and three forwards spread across the pitch, the centre forward on the top of the opposition circle and the wide forwards on the sidelines. There is no 23 m line in In2Hockey, so halfway is the marker: backs behind it without the ball, forwards ahead of it. With the ball the backs step up to halfway and the wide forwards get as wide as the pitch allows.
Roles
- Goalkeeper. Sweeps behind the two backs and starts every attack with a pass to the free back. On a short pitch a strong kick reaches the forwards.
- Left back and right back. One marks the centre forward, the other covers the pass. On the outlet they split to the sidelines and carry to halfway before passing.
- Left forward and right forward. Stay on the sideline to stretch the defenders, then cut to the baseline and cross to the penalty spot. First pressers on the opposition outlet.
- Centre forward. Lives on the top of the circle. Receives with back to goal and lays off, deflects crosses and shuts the middle pass on the press.
Strengths
- Three forwards spread a small pitch so there is always a wide pass.
- Simple for under 10s and under 12s: two defend, three attack.
- The press starts high because the forwards are already there.
- Lots of circle entries, which is what this age group needs.
Weaknesses
- Two backs against a counter is a constant one on one.
- The middle of the pitch is empty if the centre forward does not drop.
- Wide forwards who wander inside leave the backs no outlet.
- Everyone covers a lot of ground, so rolling subs are essential.
When to use it
The default In2Hockey shape and the one to teach first. It suits any under 10 or under 12 squad, especially one with a brave goalkeeper and two backs who talk. Use it when the aim is to get everyone touching the ball in the attacking half, and against sides with three at the back, because your wide forwards will find space. Switch away when a quick opposition keeps running at your two backs.
What to coach in training
- Three forwards against two defenders and a goalkeeper on a half pitch: three passes before a shot, so the forwards learn width and the centre forward learns to lay off.
- Backs outlet: goalkeeper to a back, who carries to halfway and passes to a wide forward with one presser trying to stop it. Swap sides every two balls.
- Goalkeeper kicking: clear to a cone on each sideline, then to a moving forward, then with an attacker closing in.
Works well against
The 2-3 is good against another 2-3 if your backs are the better pair, and against a 3-2 or 3-1-1 that leaves only one or two forwards, because your two backs are not outnumbered while your three forwards are. It struggles against a 2-1-2 whose middle player dominates the centre of the pitch, since nobody in the 2-3 naturally occupies that space.
