The shape
Two backs at the top of the circle with the goalkeeper behind. Three halves form a line about 20 metres ahead with the centre half as the pivot, three inside forwards play between the midfield and the opposition defence, and two strikers stay high. It stretches the pitch end to end: with the ball there are eight players in the opposition half. Without it the inside forwards drop onto the opposing halves and the halves drop to the 23 m line.
Roles
- Goalkeeper. Effectively the third defender. Sweeps everything over the top of the two backs and starts the outlet quickly because the backs will be pressed.
- Two backs. Stay goal side of the two strikers and never both step at once. Outlet to the halves and never carry past the 23 m line.
- Left half and right half. Receive on the sideline, carry to halfway and feed the inside forwards. Drop to make a four with the backs when the ball is lost.
- Centre half. The playmaker. Switches to the far half or plays through the inside forwards, and screens the top of the D on the turnover.
- Inside forwards (left, centre and right). Work the pockets behind the opposing midfield, arrive at the top of the circle to shoot and recycle, and press with the strikers.
- Two strikers. Occupy the opposing centre backs and the baseline. One at the near post for deflections, the other on the top of the D for the second shot.
Strengths
- Eight players in the attacking half overwhelm most defences.
- A five-player press wins the ball high up the pitch.
- Suits sides with lots of forwards and few natural defenders.
- Creates many penalty corners.
Weaknesses
- Two backs are a liability against any team that counters.
- The goalkeeper is exposed to one on ones and aerials over the top.
- If the inside forwards do not track back, the halves are outnumbered.
- Concedes as many as it scores unless the press is relentless.
When to use it
Use it when you must score: chasing a two-goal deficit in the last quarter or against a side you will dominate. It also suits under 10s and under 12s where the aim is to attack and press rather than sit deep, and a few goals against is the price of learning to play forward. Needs a goalkeeper who likes to sweep. Never on a windy day against an aerial-happy opposition.
What to coach in training
- Full press from a 16-yard hit: the five front players press the outlet from the baseline and force it to a sideline where the half tackles. The trigger is the first pass, not before.
- Two backs plus goalkeeper against three attackers from halfway, so the backs learn to delay and cover and the goalkeeper learns to sweep.
- Transition recovery: lose the ball on the whistle in the attacking circle and the inside forwards have five seconds to be back on halfway.
Works well against
It works against a 5-3-2 or any side that sits deep and does not counter, because eight attackers can pass round and through a packed circle without being punished at the other end. It also unsettles a 4-4-2 whose midfield four cannot cope with three halves and three inside forwards at once. It gets picked off by a 4-3-3 or 4-2-3-1 with quick wide forwards.
