Gafferbook
With the ball · 7v7 2-3-1

Playing out from the back at 7v7

Playing out from the back means starting attacks with short passes from the keeper and defenders. It needs space and confident decisions more than clever skills. The key is making the pitch big so the first pass is easy.

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Step 1 of 3

Goal kick. Centre-backs split wide; the midfielder drops between them, facing the pitch.

Drawn for 7v7 2-3-1. 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

  1. Goal kick. Centre-backs split wide; the midfielder drops between them, facing the pitch.
  2. Keeper finds the open centre-back. Their forward runs across; our midfielder shows inside.
  3. Centre-back plays forward to the wide player. Through the first line, and we're attacking.

When to use it

From goal kicks and when the keeper has the ball. In formats with a retreat line, the opponents drop back and give you time to practise it.

Coaching points

  • Centre-backs split wide, almost to the edge of the box, so there's room between them.
  • A midfielder drops into the gap facing play. If they're marked, they drag a defender away and open the pass wide.
  • The keeper is part of it: they can receive a pass back and switch it to the other side.
  • Look forward first. If the forward pass isn't on, keep it and try the other side, rather than kicking it away.

With younger players

Use the retreat line for what it's for. Mistakes when playing out will happen, and they're part of learning. Praise brave decisions, not just successful passes.

Drills to practise it

Playing out from the back 3v2 (plus keeper)

U9 to adult · 6 to 8

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Split centre-backs and the dropping midfielder

U12 to adult · 8 to 10 plus a keeper

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Retreat line build-up game (Future Fit)

U8 to U11 · 10 to 14 including keepers

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Inverted full-back build-up

U14 to adult · 8 to 12 plus a keeper

Open the drill →

Questions coaches ask

Should grassroots teams play out from the back?

Most FAs encourage it for young players because it develops receiving and passing under pressure. For older amateur teams it's a choice that depends on your players and the opposition.

What if the other team presses high?

Then there's space further up the pitch. Pass around the press to the free player, or play over it to a target, rather than forcing short passes into crowded areas.

More tactics boards

With the ball

Third-man run

A simple, animated third-man run for grassroots coaches: A passes to B, B sets it first time to C, who was already running.

Watch it →With the ball

Getting it wide

How to use the width of the pitch at 7v7: pull the defence to one side, switch it quickly and attack the space with a 1v1 or 2v1.

Watch it →With the ball

Route one

Direct, route-one football on an animated board: the long ball to the striker, the knock-down and the runners who make it work.

Watch it →

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