GK LCB CB RCB LCM RCM LW ST RW ‹ ▶ Play Step 1 of 4 ›
Their winger has it. Our right centre-back is the first defender: pressure.
Drawn for 9v9 3-2-3. Pick your own format and shape and every step is redrawn for your players. Then present it or send it to your team.
Step by step Their winger has it. Our right centre-back is the first defender: pressure. Pressure on the ball, cover behind at an angle, balance tucked in across. They play inside. The roles swap at once: the cover becomes pressure, everyone shifts. Squeezed and won. When to use it Every time you defend, at every age. It's the base everything else builds on.
Coaching points Pressure: the nearest player closes the ball down, slows them and shows them away from goal. Cover: the next player sits behind the presser at an angle, close enough to help. Balance: the far player tucks in towards the middle, not out to their winger. When the ball is passed, the roles swap straight away. Talk: the cover player tells the presser which way to show. Who does what Position Their job First defender Pressure: close down, slow down, show away from goal. Second defender Cover: behind and at an angle, a few yards away. Third defender Balance: tucked in, protecting the middle and watching runners.
When they change it If they… You… The attacker beats the presser The cover player becomes the new presser; the presser recovers to cover. They switch it The balance player becomes the presser; everyone shifts across. They play into the striker The middle defender presses from behind; the others cover.
Common mistakes Two players pressing the same attacker. Cover standing level with the presser instead of behind. The far defender staying wide with their winger and leaving the middle open. At 7v7, 9v9 and 11v11
7v7 Two defenders and a midfielder make the triangle.
9v9 The board: a back three. Wide centre-back presses, middle covers, far side balances.
11v11 The back four and the nearest midfielder do the same, with two balancing. See the full 9v9 3-2-3 formation guide for the shape, positions and drills.
Drills to practise it Questions coaches ask What do pressure, cover and balance mean? Three defending jobs: press the ball, cover behind the presser, and protect the space across the pitch.
Who is the balance player? The defender furthest from the ball, who tucks in towards the middle.
At what age can this be taught? From around U9. Start with 2v2 (pressure and cover), then add the third player.
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