Futbol Island

7v7 lesson · Beginner

Three Backs: Make the Outside Route

Without wide midfielders, an outside back can create width, then return inside when the forward route closes.

What the coach says

  1. Our three-two-one has two midfielders in the middle. Nobody is offering the outside route yet.
  2. You are the right defender. The ball is with the middle defender, and there is room on your side.
  3. Which move adds the missing outside route?
  4. Move outside. Both midfielders keep separate inside connections.
  5. The defender passes across. Now watch the opponent ahead of the receiver.
  6. Blue closes the route up the line. Our middle defender stays available behind and inside.
  7. The forward route has closed. Which action helps now?
  8. Return inside. The outside defender stays available while the team changes its angles.
  9. The outside route helped until the defender closed it. Keep a return angle behind the ball so you can choose again.

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

    Which move adds the missing outside route?

    • Move outside
    • Move toward the middle

    Coach’s explanation: Moving outside creates width without pulling a midfielder away from the middle.

  2. Question 2

    The forward route has closed. Which action helps now?

    • Carry up the line
    • Pass back inside

    Coach’s explanation: The opponent has stepped into the forward route. The middle defender remains behind and inside the pressure, offering a clear return.

  3. Question 3

    True or false? Blue now blocks the route up the line.

    • False
    • True

    Coach’s explanation: It's true. The blue player stands right in front of you.

  4. Question 4

    You moved out wide. What happens next?

    • The forward runs back for the ball
    • The middle defender passes to you
    • You run back to the middle

    Coach’s explanation: You are open out wide, so the pass comes to you.

  5. Question 5

    The left defender has the ball. Blue blocks forward. Which pass?

    • Pass back inside to the middle defender
    • Pass inside to the midfielder
    • Pass up the line

    Coach’s explanation: The lane back inside is open, so we keep the ball.

Play it on the island