Futbol Island

9v9 lesson · Intermediate

Front Three: Protect the Central Screen

Our three-two-three front line faces two backs and one central midfielder. The wingers can reach the backs while the striker protects the central screen.

What the coach says

  1. Our three-two-three front line faces two backs and one central midfielder.
  2. The wingers can reach the two backs.
  3. The striker protects the pass into their only central midfielder.
  4. The left winger already pressures their back. Their only central midfielder waits behind our striker, looking for a pass beyond the first line.
  5. The winger already pressures their back. Which striker position protects the remaining central connection?
  6. The striker keeps the central screen as the wingers approach the two backs and the midfield pair closes behind.
  7. The back returns to the keeper because the direct central connection remains screened.
  8. Their keeper takes a loose touch forward. Our left central midfielder has moved close to their connector, so the striker can leave that screen without freeing the middle.
  9. The keeper’s touch is reachable and our midfielder has taken the central connector. What should the striker do?
  10. The striker closes the keeper while the near midfielder takes the connector. The wingers and remaining midfielder keep the other routes covered.
  11. The keeper uses the outside back under pressure; the central connector remains accounted for by the next unit.
  12. Share three pressing jobs. The striker can attack the keeper when the touch is reachable and the midfield unit has taken the central connection.

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 winger already pressures their back. Which striker position protects the remaining central connection?

    • Join the winger at the back
    • Stay between ball and central midfielder

    Coach’s explanation: The striker keeps the sole central connector behind the screen while the winger handles the ball.

  2. Question 2

    The keeper’s touch is reachable and our midfielder has taken the central connector. What should the striker do?

    • Close the keeper’s touch
    • Continue the same central screen

    Coach’s explanation: Our midfielder is marking their middle player, so the striker can chase the keeper’s loose touch.

  3. Question 3

    Their left back has the ball. Tap where our striker screens their central midfielder.

    • Between the ball and their midfielder
    • Next to our left winger
    • Up near their goalkeeper

    Coach’s explanation: Standing in that passing lane is the screen, so their only central midfielder cannot get the ball.

  4. Question 4

    Put the press in order, from first to last.

    • Back passes to their keeper
    • Keeper takes a loose touch
    • Striker closes down the keeper
    • Winger presses their back

    Coach’s explanation: The winger presses, the back goes to the keeper, then a loose touch lets the striker press.

  5. Question 5

    Their right back has it now, and our right winger presses. Where does the striker go?

    • Between the ball and their midfielder
    • Stay on the left side
    • Up next to our right winger

    Coach’s explanation: The screen moves with the ball, so their midfielder stays cut off on this side too.

Play it on the island