Futbol Island

9v9 lesson · Intermediate

After the Restart: Rebuild the Back Three

After our right back takes a throw-in, they hurry back so we have three defenders again before joining the attack.

What the coach says

  1. Our right back has just taken a throw-in. Our right midfielder has the ball.
  2. In three-three-two, only two teammates remain in the defensive line against two high strikers.
  3. Our right midfielder has the ball. The restart taker can run forward, but the back three has not yet been rebuilt and both opposing strikers remain high.
  4. Two backs face two high strikers after your restart. Which next movement restores the third defensive job?
  5. The restart taker returns to the back line. The two midfield partners offer support while the front pair keeps separate heights.
  6. The right midfielder connects inside with the central midfielder while the restored back three protects the two counter outlets.
  7. The right midfielder receives the return. The central midfielder now moves behind to replace the covering job.
  8. One opposing striker drops into midfield. Our central midfielder has already taken the deeper covering connection, while the right midfielder controls facing the outside lane.
  9. One striker has dropped and our central midfielder now covers behind. Which movement gives the receiver the next outside connection?
  10. The right back moves into the outside lane while the central midfielder preserves the deeper connection and the other backs stay connected.
  11. The receiver uses the outside return. The new passing option is added after cover exists, rather than before it.
  12. After taking a restart, read the unit you left. Rebuild its cover first; join the next attack when that job has been replaced and the remaining threats allow it.

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

    Two backs face two high strikers after your restart. Which next movement restores the third defensive job?

    • Rejoin the back line
    • Run beyond the right midfielder

    Coach’s explanation: Returning rebuilds the third member of the back line while the two high strikers remain available for a counter.

  2. Question 2

    One striker has dropped and our central midfielder now covers behind. Which movement gives the receiver the next outside connection?

    • Offer the outside return
    • Stay with the deeper unit

    Coach’s explanation: The central midfielder covers behind and only one striker is up high, so the right back can go wide for a pass.

  3. Question 3

    True or false? The restart taker should run forward before the back three is rebuilt.

    • False
    • True

    Coach’s explanation: It's false. The taker rebuilds the back three first, then joins the attack later.

  4. Question 4

    The right midfielder gets the ball back. What should the central midfielder do next?

    • Move behind to cover the right side
    • Run forward past their strikers
    • Stay in the middle and watch

    Coach’s explanation: The central midfielder moves behind the ball to replace the covering job.

  5. Question 5

    Now our left back took the restart. Tap where the left back should go next.

    • Back into the back line
    • Into the middle of midfield
    • Run forward past the left midfielder

    Coach’s explanation: Rejoining the back line rebuilds three backs against their two strikers, just like on the right.

Play it on the island