Futbol Island

9v9 lesson · Read the spare option · Beginner

Two Against One: Carry or Pass

Watch whether the defender approaches the ball or stays with the teammate.

What the coach says

  1. Two teammates arrive together. The defender stays near the passing option.
  2. Read the space in front of the ball.
  3. Carry into that space while the teammate stays wide.
  4. The defender now leaves the teammate and approaches the ball.
  5. Look again. The defender has changed the choice.
  6. Release a short pass across the open lane.
  7. The receiver moves forward; the passer offers support.

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

    What uses the available space?

    • Carry forward
    • Pass to the right midfielder

    Coach’s explanation: The defender protects the teammate. The ball carrier has space ahead.

  2. Question 2

    What helps get beyond this defender now?

    • Carry diagonally forward
    • Pass to the right midfielder

    Coach’s explanation: The defender has approached the ball, leaving the teammate with a clear route.

  3. Question 3

    True or false? The defender is still standing with our teammate.

    • False
    • True

    Coach’s explanation: It's false. The defender left the teammate to close the ball, so the teammate is free.

  4. Question 4

    The pass reached the right midfielder. What happens next?

    • Receiver moves forward; passer offers support
    • The passer runs off to the far side
    • The receiver stops and waits

    Coach’s explanation: The receiver attacks the space while the passer stays close to help again.

  5. Question 5

    The right midfielder has the ball. The defender stays with our teammate. Which picture is best?

    • Carry forward into space
    • Hold the ball and wait
    • Pass to the teammate

    Coach’s explanation: The defender stays with the teammate, so the space ahead of the ball is free to carry into.

Play it on the island