Pressing · 9v9 3-2-3

How to press in a 9v9 3-2-3

The 3-2-3 matches up perfectly against a team that plays out with three at the back: our front three on their back three, our two midfielders on their two. The press is about doing it together and curving the runs so the ball goes wide, where our wide forward and a stepping wide defender trap it.

Step 1 of 4

They play out with a back three. Our front three match them; our midfield two mark theirs.

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

They play out with a back three. Our front three match them; our midfield two mark theirs.
Trigger: keeper to their right centre-back. Our left winger curves onto it; the striker blocks the way back.
Forced down the line. Our left defender steps up onto their winger.
Trapped. Win it and play into our front three.

When to use it

Against teams who play out with a back three. If they play with two at the back, the striker presses the ball and the wingers tuck in.

Coaching points

Front three line up against their back three, starting on their inside shoulders.
Our midfield two mark theirs from behind, close enough to touch.
Trigger: the keeper's pass to a wide centre-back. Our winger presses with a curved run.
The striker shifts across to block the pass back to the middle defender.
Our wide defender steps up onto their winger as the ball goes wide.

Who does what

Position	Their job
Front three	Press their back three, curving to push it wide.
Midfield two	Mark their two tightly; the near one jumps to the ball side.
Back three	Step up to halfway; the ball-side one jumps to their winger.
Keeper	Sweeps behind a high line.

When they change it

If they…	You…
They drop a midfielder between their centre-backs	Our near midfielder follows them up; the striker presses the middle.
They go long to their striker	Our middle defender attacks it, the midfield two win the second ball.
They switch it	Slide across together; the far winger leads the next press.

Common mistakes

The front three pressing one by one instead of together.
The midfield two marking from too far away.
The back three staying deep.

At 7v7, 9v9 and 11v11

7v7: At 7v7 the 2-3-1 presses with the same front-three idea.
9v9: The board: 9v9 3-2-3 against a back three.
11v11: At 11v11 a 4-3-3 or 3-4-3 presses this way.

See the full 9v9 3-2-3 formation guide for the shape, positions and drills.

Drills to practise it

Pressing the goal kick

U11 to adult · 12 to 18 plus a keeper

Open the drill →

High-turnover game (bonus for winning it high)

U10 to adult · 10 to 16 plus keepers

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Cover shadow pressing

U12 to adult · 6 to 10

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Pressing waves (two pressing teams)

U11 to adult · 10 to 14

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Touchline trap

U11 to adult · 6 to 10

Open the drill →

Questions coaches ask

Is the 3-2-3 good for pressing?

Yes: it matches a back three one against one, and the midfield two can mark theirs.

Who presses first?

Whoever is nearest when the trigger happens, usually the winger on the side the ball goes.

Should we press from goal kicks?

Only if your league's rules allow it (many younger formats use a retreat line) and only as a team. A goal kick is a good trigger because everyone can get set before the ball is played.