Futbol Island

11v11 lesson · Intermediate

Diamond vs 4-3-3: Who Closes the Fullback?

Close their fullback with the nearest free player, but never leave the middle of your diamond open.

What the coach says

  1. Your midfield diamond has a holding midfielder called the six, two side midfielders, and a higher midfielder called the ten. They share the middle and the wide press.
  2. Two strikers work against the center backs while the ten screens Blue’s six. This can leave a fullback available outside the diamond.
  3. Your back four retain Blue’s three forwards. The near fullback cannot simply leave the winger to repair every midfield press.
  4. Blue reaches the left fullback. Your ten still screens their six and your left back has a winger. The left eight can now close the wide receiver.
  5. The ten still blocks their six and your left back has a winger. Who can you approach?
  6. The left eight approaches the fullback. The ten keeps the central screen and the far eight narrows beside the six, maintaining cover behind the press.
  7. Blue’s six moves out of your ten’s screen. Your near striker takes over the fullback press, so the eight must protect the newly opened inside lane.
  8. Your striker can press the fullback, but their six has escaped the ten. Which run finishes the job?
  9. The eight returns inside while the striker presses the fullback. The six and far eight stay connected behind, keeping inside cover behind the wide pressure.

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 ten still blocks their six and your left back has a winger. Who can you approach?

    • Close the fullback
    • Drop beside your six

    Coach’s explanation: The central screen is intact. Your fullback can keep the winger while you pressure the wide receiver and the far eight narrows.

  2. Question 2

    Your striker can press the fullback, but their six has escaped the ten. Which run finishes the job?

    • Join the striker’s press
    • Recover into the inside lane

    Coach’s explanation: The striker now handles the ball. Recovering inside puts you between their free six and the next forward connection.

  3. Question 3

    Blue reaches the left fullback, and your left back has a winger. What does your left back do next?

    • Runs out to press the fullback
    • Stays goal-side of Blue's winger
    • Tucks inside to screen the six

    Coach’s explanation: The back four must hold Blue's three forwards, so the left back keeps the winger.

  4. Question 4

    The left eight presses the fullback. Tap where the far eight goes to keep cover.

    • High, pressing Blue's center back
    • Narrow, beside your six
    • Wide, beside your right back

    Coach’s explanation: Narrow beside the six, the far eight covers the inside lane behind the press.

  5. Question 5

    Blue switches to the right fullback. The ten still screens their six. Drag your right eight to its job.

    • Close the right fullback
    • Drop beside your six
    • Press Blue's six with the ten

    Coach’s explanation: The ten keeps the screen and the right back holds the winger, so the right eight closes the fullback.

Play it on the island