Futbol Island

9v9 lesson · Intermediate

2-3-3: Keep the Midfield Three Ahead

After a short goal kick, the keeper supports two backs without sacrificing the central link in a midfield three.

What the coach says

  1. A short goal kick has reached a defender in two-three-three. These are the keeper and back two.
  2. All three midfielders provide connections ahead of the defenders.
  3. Both backs are pressured. A supporting player can help behind without taking the central midfielder out of the midfield three.
  4. Who can become the third builder while keeping all three midfielders ahead?
  5. The keeper moves up to connect the back two. The three midfielders stay ahead on different angles.
  6. The keeper connects with the opposite back while the midfield three remains available ahead.
  7. The right back receives. Blue now screens the goalkeeper return and the central midfield route.
  8. Which midfielder can come outside to help without removing the central link?
  9. The right midfielder comes down the outside as the two backs and keeper adjust behind the pass.
  10. The right midfielder offers an outside connection to the right back. The sole central midfielder remains ahead, instead of dropping into a job the back unit already covers.
  11. The keeper can support a back two without emptying midfield. When that return closes, use a wide midfielder instead of removing the sole central link.

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

    Who can become the third builder while keeping all three midfielders ahead?

    • The central midfielder dropping out of midfield
    • The goalkeeper moving up behind the backs

    Coach’s explanation: The keeper supports the two backs, leaving the central and wide midfielders available as a three-player connection ahead.

  2. Question 2

    Which midfielder can come outside to help without removing the central link?

    • The central midfielder leaving the middle
    • The right midfielder showing on the outside

    Coach’s explanation: The right midfielder can show outside the press while the central midfielder preserves the midfield connection.

  3. Question 3

    Both backs are pressed. Where should our keeper move to become the third builder?

    • Into midfield beside the central midfielder
    • Right behind the left back
    • Up behind the backs, in the middle

    Coach’s explanation: From the middle the keeper can reach both backs, and all three midfielders stay ahead.

  4. Question 4

    True or false? Here our central midfielder should drop to help the right back.

    • False
    • True

    Coach’s explanation: It's false. The right midfielder already helps outside, so the central midfielder keeps the middle link.

  5. Question 5

    Now the left back has it. Blue blocks the keeper and the middle. Which pass helps?

    • Back to the keeper
    • Into the central midfielder
    • Out to the left midfielder

    Coach’s explanation: The left midfielder comes down the outside, so the central midfielder can stay in the middle.

Play it on the island