Futbol Island

11v11 lesson · Intermediate

Front Five, Safety Five: Protect Two Lines

While five attack, two midfielders screen and three defenders stay back. If a pass beats the screen, recover inside.

What the coach says

  1. Five teammates attack in separate lanes: two outside players, two inside players and the striker.
  2. Behind them, two midfielders screen passes toward the opponent’s high outlets. They protect space in front of the defenders.
  3. Three deeper defenders account for those three high outlets. The screens and defenders must remain two connected lines.
  4. The left screen can close the route toward the wide outlet. The nearest deeper defender stays behind that threat, while the other screen protects the middle.
  5. Your team already has five high attackers. Which position protects the pass toward the near outlet?
  6. The left midfielder screens the near outlet route. The partner retains the central lane, leaving the deeper defenders connected behind them.
  7. The attack loses an inside pass. Blue controls it centrally and the near outlet moves wider, changing the lane around your screen.
  8. Blue passes around the screen into the wide outlet. The nearest deeper defender approaches from inside. Your midfielder is now behind the ball and must recover.
  9. The pass has gone beyond your screen. Where can you rebuild protection in front of the deeper defenders?
  10. The midfielder recovers inside the delaying defender. The other screen closes the central lane, while the remaining two deeper defenders retain the other high threats.

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

    Your team already has five high attackers. Which position protects the pass toward the near outlet?

    • Join the attacking line
    • Screen in front of the deeper three

    Coach’s explanation: You can close the near outlet lane while the other screen protects the middle and the deeper three retain the high attackers.

  2. Question 2

    The pass has gone beyond your screen. Where can you rebuild protection in front of the deeper defenders?

    • Chase the old passer
    • Recover inside the delaying defender

    Coach’s explanation: The nearest defender delays the wide carrier. Recovering inside protects the next central pass while the other screen closes across.

  3. Question 3

    True or false? Your left back approaches the wide outlet, so the six should leave the middle to help.

    • False
    • True

    Coach’s explanation: It's false. The six closes the central lane, so the deeper defenders keep a screen in front.

  4. Question 4

    Blue breaks past your screen. Put these moments in order, first to last.

    • Blue passes around the screen wide
    • Blue wins a loose inside pass
    • Left screen blocks outlet while we attack
    • Midfielder recovers inside the delaying defender

    Coach’s explanation: The screen is set while we attack, Blue wins the ball, goes around it, and you recover.

  5. Question 5

    Now Blue goes around your right screen. Drag the six to rebuild protection in front of the defenders.

    • Chase the old passer
    • Join the defender at the ball
    • Recover inside the delaying defender

    Coach’s explanation: The six rebuilds the screen inside, so your defender can delay the winger with cover.

Play it on the island