The shape
Four defenders across the top of the circle, the centre half in front with a half either side, and three forwards stretching the full width with the centre forward on the top of the opposition circle. With the ball the full backs push to the 23 m line, the halves split to receive on the outlet and the forwards hold their width. Without it the forwards drop to halfway as the first wall of a half-court press.
Roles
- Goalkeeper. Starts the outlet with a kick or a pass to a centre back, sweeps anything over the top and organises the penalty corner defence.
- Left back and right back. Carry up the sideline on the outlet and overlap the half. Show the winger down the line and tackle on the open stick.
- Left and right centre back. Receive from the goalkeeper and move the ball to the free side. Hold the top of the circle and step onto the centre forward.
- Centre half. Collects from the centre backs, switches play between the halves and screens the opposing centre forward on the turnover.
- Left half and right half. Run the channels, give the back four a sideline option and track the opposing half back.
- Left and right forward. Stay on the sideline until the attacking 23 m area, then cut to the baseline for a pass to the penalty spot. Lead the press.
- Centre forward. Occupies the top of the circle, deflects crosses, wins penalty corners off a defender's foot and shuts the middle pass.
Strengths
- Three forwards give width and a natural three-player press.
- Four at the back forgives a side that gives the ball away.
- The centre half always has two short options and two wide ones.
- Easy to teach: one job and one place to stand each.
Weaknesses
- Outnumbered by any side with four in midfield.
- Forwards and back four split into two teams if the halves tire.
- Wide forwards who drift inside leave the full backs no outlet.
- The gap in front of the centre backs is where penalty corners get conceded.
When to use it
Start here with a new team or a squad of mixed experience. It suits two quick wide players and a goalkeeper who can kick. At under 14s and under 16s most opposition play it, so your players learn what they face while learning where to stand. Pick it against sides that push both full backs on.
What to coach in training
- Outlet from a 16-yard hit: centre back to the free side, full back carries to the 23 m line, half receives on the sideline. Passive press first, then live.
- Half-court press in threes: the forwards start on halfway and force the opposition outlet to a sideline while the halves learn when to step.
- Penalty corner defence with the back four and goalkeeper: one runner, a post player, two covering, then re-form the line after the first clearance.
Works well against
Comfortable against a 4-4-2, because three forwards outnumber two centre backs on the counter and the centre half sits on their attacking midfielder. It also handles a 5-3-2, since the wide forwards drag the wing backs out and leave the centre forward one on one. Against another 4-3-3 the side whose halves work hardest tends to win.
