Patterns of play drills by formation
Every formation has its own natural combinations. These drills turn the shape on your team sheet into moves your players recognise on a Saturday.
A pattern of play is a rehearsed sequence of passes and runs that suits your formation, such as a full-back overlapping a winger in a 4-3-3. Practise it unopposed, then add defenders until it works in a game.
4-3-3 full-back overlap with the winger
The winger receives, drives inside and the full-back overlaps around the outside to cross. The core wide pattern of a 4-3-3, practised unopposed, then 2v1, then in a game.
U12 to adult · 8 to 12 plus a keeper players · 15 to 20 mins
See the drill →4-3-3 third-man run to the striker
Centre-back plays into the striker, who sets back to an 8 running forward, who slips the winger in behind. A third-man pattern that breaks lines in a 4-3-3.
U13 to adult · 6 to 10 plus a keeper players · 15 mins
See the drill →4-4-2 strike partnership: one short, one long
Two strikers work as a pair: one comes short for the ball, the other spins in behind. The partnership at the heart of 4-4-2, 3-5-2 and 9v9 3-3-2.
U11 to adult · 6 to 10 plus a keeper players · 15 mins
See the drill →4-4-2 wide 2v1: full-back and wide midfielder
Full-back and wide midfielder take on one defender down the flank, choosing between the overlap, the underlap and the give-and-go. Builds the wide partnership a 4-4-2 relies on.
U11 to adult · 6 to 12 plus a keeper players · 15 to 20 mins
See the drill →3-5-2 wing-back switch of play
Draw the opposition to one side, then switch to the far wing-back arriving unmarked. The signature attack of a 3-5-2, practised as a pattern then as a 7v5 game.
U13 to adult · 10 to 14 plus a keeper players · 20 mins
See the drill →4-2-3-1: finding the number 10 between the lines
A three-zone game where the ball must go from the back zone into the number 10 in the middle zone before it can go into the front. Teaches the double pivot to find the 10 and the 10 to turn.
U13 to adult · 12 to 14 players · 20 mins
See the drill →7v7 2-3-1: wide player and defender rotation
In 7v7 the wide midfielder and the defender behind them swap: one drops to receive, the other runs past. A simple rotation that unlocks the 2-3-1 down the sides.
U9 to U11 · 6 to 10 plus a keeper players · 15 mins
See the drill →9v9 3-3-2: midfield three into the front two
The 9v9 midfield three combine to feed the two strikers: a pass into one striker, a set to the advancing midfielder and a ball in behind. Builds the link between midfield and attack in a 3-3-2.
U12 to U13 · 8 to 12 plus a keeper players · 15 to 20 mins
See the drill →5-a-side diamond rotation (1-2-1)
A 4v2 to goal where the diamond rotates: whoever passes follows their pass into the next position. Teaches young players that positions in 5-a-side are flexible.
U7 to U10 · 5 to 10 players · 15 mins
See the drill →4-3-3 underlapping number 8
The full-back plays into the winger, and the number 8 runs inside the winger into the half-space for a cut-back. A modern 4-3-3 pattern that opens the box.
U12 to adult · 6 to 10 plus a keeper players · 15 mins
See the drill →4-4-2 switch through the central pair
The ball moves from full-back to a central midfielder, across to the other central midfielder, and out to the far wide midfielder. Teaches the 4-4-2 to switch through the middle quickly.
U12 to adult · 8 to 12 players · 15 mins
See the drill →3-5-2 outside centre-back overlap
The wide centre-back carries forward and overlaps the wing-back, creating an overload on the flank. A powerful 3-5-2 pattern to break down a compact defence.
U13 to adult · 6 to 10 plus a keeper players · 15 mins
See the drill →4-2-3-1 double pivot to the wingers
The two holding midfielders combine to switch the ball to the far winger, who attacks 1v1. Teaches the double pivot to move the ball quickly to the free side.
U13 to adult · 8 to 12 plus a keeper players · 15 mins
See the drill →3-4-3 wide triangle rotation
The wide centre-back, wing-back and wide forward rotate positions to drag defenders and create a free runner. Teaches rotations without losing shape.
U13 to adult · 6 to 10 plus a keeper players · 15 mins
See the drill →7v7 3-2-1: hold up and arrive
The lone striker holds the ball up and lays it off for the two midfielders arriving to shoot. Teaches the 3-2-1 to support its striker quickly.
U10 to U12 · 6 to 10 plus a keeper players · 15 mins
See the drill →7v7 2-1-2-1: play through the 10
The diamond's tip (the number 10) drops to receive between the lines and turns to feed the striker or the wide midfielders. Teaches the diamond to use its most creative player.
U10 to U12 · 6 to 10 plus a keeper players · 15 mins
See the drill →9v9 3-2-3 winger isolation
The team draws the opposition to one side, then switches quickly to the far winger to go 1v1. A simple, effective 9v9 attacking pattern.
U12 to U13 · 8 to 12 plus a keeper players · 15 mins
See the drill →9v9 3-4-1 wing-back crossing pattern
The wide midfielder (wing-back) runs beyond the central midfielder to cross for the striker and the far-side wing-back. Teaches the 3-4-1 to get bodies into the box.
U12 to U13 · 6 to 10 plus a keeper players · 15 mins
See the drill →5v5 2-2 square rotation
In a 2-2, a defender steps into midfield with the ball while a forward drops to fill in. Teaches young players simple rotations and to step in with the ball.
U8 to U10 · 5 to 10 plus a keeper players · 10 to 15 mins
See the drill →7v7 3-1-2: the front two combine
One striker drops to receive and the other spins in behind, with the midfielder arriving as a third option. Teaches the 3-1-2's strikers to work as a pair.
U10 to U12 · 5 to 10 plus a keeper players · 15 mins
See the drill →4-3-3: eight drops, winger runs in behind
The number 8 drops beside the six to receive; that drags their marker and opens space for the winger to run in behind. A rotation that creates a simple, repeatable way to attack.
U12 to adult · 8 to 11 plus a keeper players · 15 mins
See the drill →4-3-3: byline and cut-back to the arriving eight
Winger gets to the byline and cuts the ball back to the penalty spot area, where an eight arrives late while the striker attacks the near post. The most reliable chance in football, rehearsed until it's automatic.
U11 to adult · 6 to 10 plus a keeper players · 15 mins
See the drill →4-3-3: wide triangle rotation
Full-back, eight and winger rotate on one side: when one comes short, another goes long. The defender can't follow everyone, so someone is always free.
U12 to adult · 4 to 8 plus a keeper players · 12 mins
See the drill →4-3-3: striker drops, midfielder runs beyond
The striker drops short to pull a centre-back out; an eight makes the run into the space left behind. A classic way to unlock a back line.
U12 to adult · 6 to 9 plus a keeper players · 12 mins
See the drill →7v7 2-3-1: rotate and release
A simple rotation for 7v7: the wide midfielder comes inside, the defender behind them runs down the line. Young players learn that moving changes the picture.
U9 to U11 · 6 to 8 plus a keeper players · 15 mins
See the drill →9v9 3-2-3: overload one side, attack the other
Get four players to one side to draw the opponent across, then switch to the winger who stayed wide on the far side. Teaches overload-to-isolate in a 9v9 shape.
U11 to U13 · 7 to 9 plus a keeper players · 15 mins
See the drill →4-3-3: build through the free eight
A phase of play: the attacking team builds from its keeper against three pressers and looks for the eight who is free between the lines, then plays through the end gates. Puts the 4-3-3 shape under real pressure.
U12 to adult · 9 to 15 plus keepers players · 20 mins
See the drill →Front three interchange
Three forwards swap positions as they attack: the striker pulls wide, a winger cuts inside, the other attacks the far post. Teaches forwards to move together so defenders can't just follow one.
U11 to adult · 3 to 6 plus a keeper players · 12 mins
See the drill →Building a session?
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