Futbol Island

9v9 lesson · Intermediate

3-3-2: Split the Two Striker Jobs

Two strikers share showing and depth against three defenders, while wide midfielders supply the missing front-line width.

What the coach says

  1. Three-three-two has two strikers.
  2. The wide midfielders supply width outside the front pair.
  3. Against three defenders, one striker can show while the other preserves depth.
  4. Three defenders face the two strikers. One striker can show while the other keeps a defender occupied higher.
  5. With the right striker keeping depth, which left-striker movement gives the midfield three a connection?
  6. The left striker shows, the right striker keeps depth, and the wide midfielders remain outside the pair.
  7. The left striker is available nearer the ball while the right striker stays higher with a defender. The wide midfielders remain outside both strikers.
  8. The first striker restores depth. The other striker now needs to show on the opposite receiving angle.
  9. The left striker is high again. Which right-striker movement restores the other job?
  10. The right striker shows on the diagonal. The left striker and wide midfielders keep distinct positions around the three defenders.
  11. The right striker now offers the nearer diagonal. The left striker preserves the higher threat, and the wide midfielders keep the outside routes.
  12. Do not send both strikers into the same job. One can show, one can preserve depth, and the wide midfielders keep the pitch connected outside.

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

    With the right striker keeping depth, which left-striker movement gives the midfield three a connection?

    • Join the same high central area
    • Show on the left diagonal

    Coach’s explanation: The left striker provides a receiving angle while the right striker occupies another defender higher. The wide midfielders keep width outside them.

  2. Question 2

    The left striker is high again. Which right-striker movement restores the other job?

    • Show on the right diagonal
    • Stay high beside the first striker

    Coach’s explanation: The right striker provides the nearer connection while the left striker keeps depth and the wide midfielders preserve width.

  3. Question 3

    True or false? In three-three-two, the two strikers give our team its width.

    • False
    • True

    Coach’s explanation: It's false. The wide midfielders give the width, outside the two strikers.

  4. Question 4

    Which picture splits the two striker jobs the right way?

    • Both strikers drop to show
    • Both strikers stay high
    • One shows, one stays high

    Coach’s explanation: One striker gives midfield a pass, and the other keeps a defender busy up high.

  5. Question 5

    Our right midfielder drifted inside. Where should they go to keep the team wide?

    • Into the middle, behind the strikers
    • Next to the right striker
    • Out wide on the right

    Coach’s explanation: Out wide they keep the outside route open, so the strikers keep their own jobs.

Play it on the island