Futbol Island

9v9 lesson · Intermediate

3-2-3: Back Three, Fourth Runner

A wide forward recovers with an advancing outside back when three defenders already have three forwards.

What the coach says

  1. Our three defenders already face Blue’s three forwards.
  2. Blue’s right outside back joins as a fourth runner. Our winger can recover with that player.
  3. The right defender cannot cover both attackers on that side while the other two defenders handle their forwards.
  4. Blue’s right back joins as a fourth attacker. Which recovery run helps?
  5. The right winger recovers with the fourth runner. The back three keep their original forwards and midfield protects inside.
  6. The fourth runner is covered, so Blue passes back into midfield.
  7. Blue connects across. The right outside back drops away, but the left outside back now joins as the fourth runner.
  8. The extra outside runner is on the left now. Which recovery restores the numbers?
  9. The left winger recovers outside. The back three and midfield shift together without handing one defender two runners.
  10. The left winger now accounts for the extra outside runner. Each back can stay with an original forward instead of choosing between two attackers.
  11. Count the runners against our back three. A wide forward helps with the extra runner rather than leaving one defender to manage two opponents.

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

    Blue’s right back joins as a fourth attacker. Which recovery run helps?

    • Drop into the already occupied center
    • Recover with the advancing outside back

    Coach’s explanation: The winger follows the additional runner, allowing each of the three defenders to keep a forward.

  2. Question 2

    The extra outside runner is on the left now. Which recovery restores the numbers?

    • Follow the new fourth runner
    • Join the central midfield pair

    Coach’s explanation: The left winger matches the new extra runner while the back three continue handling the three forwards.

  3. Question 3

    True or false? Our right back can mark both Blue attackers on that side alone.

    • False
    • True

    Coach’s explanation: It's false. One defender cannot cover two runners, so our right winger recovers to help.

  4. Question 4

    Put the lesson in order, from first to last.

    • Blue switches play across
    • Blue's right back joins the attack
    • Our left winger tracks the new runner
    • Our right winger recovers with them

    Coach’s explanation: A fourth runner joins, a winger tracks them, and the other winger does the same after the switch.

  5. Question 5

    Blue's left back now joins as the fourth runner. Which picture restores the numbers?

    • Central midfielder drops outside
    • Left winger recovers outside
    • Left winger stays high

    Coach’s explanation: The winger tracks the extra runner, so each back keeps one forward and midfield stays central.

Play it on the island