Futbol Island

9v9 lesson · Intermediate

3-2-3: Connect the Two Blocks

Two midfielders share the links between a back-three block and a front-three block.

What the coach says

  1. In three-two-three, these three defenders form the lower unit.
  2. The two wingers keep the attack wide.
  3. The striker provides the central depth.
  4. Two midfielders connect those units. They need different heights.
  5. The left midfielder already links with the defenders. The other midfielder can connect the three forwards.
  6. The left midfielder links the back three. Where can their partner connect the front three?
  7. The partner shows higher as the lower midfielder receives from the central defender.
  8. The lower midfielder connects with the higher one. The two blocks are linked by a playable diagonal.
  9. The left midfielder now receives higher. Their partner must provide the lower connection instead.
  10. Their partner is higher now. Which position reconnects the midfield pair to the back three?
  11. The right midfielder drops into a lower diagonal while the left midfielder stays higher.
  12. The right midfielder now connects behind the left midfielder. One stays available to the back three while the other links the forwards.
  13. The two midfielders can exchange jobs. Keep one connection to each three-player unit instead of putting both in the same block.

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 left midfielder links the back three. Where can their partner connect the front three?

    • Drop beside the lower midfielder
    • Show higher between the two units

    Coach’s explanation: The higher position links with the three forwards while the partner keeps the back-three connection.

  2. Question 2

    Their partner is higher now. Which position reconnects the midfield pair to the back three?

    • Join the same higher block
    • Offer the lower diagonal

    Coach’s explanation: The lower diagonal restores the second midfield job while the partner connects the front three.

  3. Question 3

    True or false? In three-two-three, our two midfielders should stand at the same height.

    • False
    • True

    Coach’s explanation: It's false. One sits lower to link the defenders, and one higher to link the forwards.

  4. Question 4

    Put the midfield link-up in order, from first to last.

    • Left midfielder moves up higher
    • Left midfielder passes up to the right
    • Right midfielder drops to replace them
    • Right midfielder shows high, left stays low

    Coach’s explanation: They make two heights, connect, then swap jobs so each block keeps a link.

  5. Question 5

    Now the right midfielder links the back three. Drag the left midfielder to link the forwards.

    • Higher, between the two blocks
    • Low, beside the right midfielder
    • Up in the front line

    Coach’s explanation: Higher between the blocks, the left midfielder links the forwards while the partner stays low.

Play it on the island