Futbol Island

11v11 lesson · Intermediate

4-3-3 vs 5-3-2: Find the Checking Midfielder

When their wing-backs block your fullbacks, an eight checks short to get free. If a defender follows the eight, pass to the fullback instead.

What the coach says

  1. Your three forwards stay high and onside, each occupying a center back in the opponent’s back five.
  2. The two fullbacks offer width beneath them. Blue’s wing-backs can block those wide routes.
  3. Your three midfielders need different lanes against Blue’s midfield. The six is your deeper midfielder. An eight plays higher and can check short into a separate lane.
  4. The left eight checks beneath the midfield line. The six stays separate, while the wing-back blocks the pass from your center back to the fullback.
  5. The wing-back blocks the wide pass. Which teammate offers a clear route beneath the midfield?
  6. The eight receives beneath the midfield. The six keeps a different lane, giving the receiver another inside connection.
  7. The eight returns the ball. This time Blue’s midfielder follows the check and the wing-back drops toward your winger, leaving your fullback’s original wide lane.
  8. The midfielder follows your eight and the wing-back has dropped. Which pass fits the new picture?
  9. The fullback receives in the vacated wide lane. The eight draws the following midfielder inside, keeping that pressure away from the receiver.

Quiz questions

Try to answer before you read the coach’s explanation. On the island you answer each one on the pitch.

  1. Question 1

    The wing-back blocks the wide pass. Which teammate offers a clear route beneath the midfield?

    • Find the checking eight
    • Force the fullback pass

    Coach’s explanation: The eight has checked below the midfield line. The six offers a separate lane and the forwards keep the back three occupied.

  2. Question 2

    The midfielder follows your eight and the wing-back has dropped. Which pass fits the new picture?

    • Force the marked eight
    • Release the fullback

    Coach’s explanation: The wing-back has left the original passing lane. The fullback now has room to receive and move forward.

  3. Question 3

    Blue's wing-back blocks your fullback. Tap where the left eight checks to offer a clear pass.

    • Check short beneath the midfield line
    • Go wide to the touchline
    • Stay high behind Blue's midfielder

    Coach’s explanation: Checking beneath Blue's midfield line opens a clear route from the center back.

  4. Question 4

    True or false? Here the six should move into the same lane as the eight to help them.

    • False
    • True

    Coach’s explanation: It's false. The six keeps a different lane, giving the eight another inside connection.

  5. Question 5

    Which picture shows the moment to pass to the fullback?

    • Wing-back dropped, eight followed
    • Wing-back in the wide lane, eight followed
    • Wing-back in the wide lane, eight unmarked

    Coach’s explanation: The wing-back has dropped and the eight drags their marker inside, so the fullback is free.

Play it on the island