Match moments / The ball changes hands
Three against two on the break
We have just won it in midfield, and it is three of us against their two defenders. The ball carrier's dribble, the runners' lines and the final pass turn the extra player into a goal.
In the match
- Decision 1Midfielder
- Decision 2Striker
- Decision 3Midfielder
You are 8, with the ball.
Three of us, two of them. What do you do first?
Play the build-up, then choose.
Best choice
Running at the gap makes one defender come to you. Once one comes, someone is free.
It can work
It moves the ball, but nobody has been drawn in yet, so their defenders just shift across.
Costly
The chance is the next few seconds. Their midfielders sprint back and three against two becomes three against four.
In the match, play carries on from the best choice.
You are 9, running with 8.
Where do you run?
Play what happened next, then choose.
Best choice
Staying wide stretches their two defenders apart, so they cannot both guard 8. There is no offside in 7v7, but run in line with the ball so the pass can find you in front.
It can work
You are closer for a short pass, but you bring your defender with you and squeeze the space.
Costly
Standing still, you are easy to mark, and the break slows down.
In the match, play carries on from the best choice.
You are 8 again.
Their right centre-back comes to you. What now?
Play what happened next, then choose.
Best choice
The defender who came to you was 9's marker. 9 is free, and in on goal.
It can work
It is a long way out with a defender in front. A better chance is one pass away.
Costly
You beat the problem you made: the defender came, so the pass is on. Dribbling into them throws the extra player away.
How you know it is happening
- We win it and their team is pushed up.
- Count: three of us running, two of them back.
- Their midfielders are behind the ball.
Why it works
In a three against two, one attacker is always free. The ball carrier's job is to make a defender commit, and the runners' job is to stay wide enough that the defenders cannot cover two players at once. Then one pass does the rest.
The tactics behind it
Your job, by position
- CMCentral midfielder
- Drive at the gap between their defenders, fast.
- Pass to whoever the defender leaves.
- STStriker
- Stay wide of your defender.
- Keep running in line with the ball.
- Shoot early and low.
- WWinger and wide midfielder
- Hold the far side so the third defender cannot help.
How to explain it
- Ask: who is free? The player the defender left.
- Count out loud in practice: three against two, go.
On the training pitch
- On your ownRun with the ball, then stop it deadThe technique underneath it, with a ball and some space.
- The practice3v2 to goalThe same decision, over and over, with a little pressure.
- The gameAttack, then defend: wavesA small-sided game set up so the moment keeps happening.
Set the game up so it keeps happening
- Attackers have ten seconds to score.
- A goal scored after the ball carrier drew a defender counts double.
Three things to say
- Drive at the gap.
- Stay wide.
- Pass to the free player.
On Saturday
Tick them off on the day. Nothing is saved: print the page if you want to keep it.
After the whistle
Ask yourself
- Did a defender come to the ball carrier?
- Who was free, and did they get the ball?
What to look back on
- Where did our breaks slow down?