Pressing · 9v9 3-3-2

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

Two strikers against a back three leaves one centre-back free. The 3-3-2 solves it by letting a wide midfielder jump up onto the free centre-back when the ball goes there, and the rest of the midfield shuffling across behind. It's a press that relies on timing: jump as the ball travels, not after it arrives.

Step 1 of 4

They play out with a back three. Our strikers block the middle; one of their centre-backs looks free.

Drawn for 9v9 3-3-2. 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 strikers block the middle; one of their centre-backs looks free.
Trigger: pass to their left centre-back. Our right midfielder jumps up as the ball travels.
Forced down the line. Our right defender picks up their winger; the central midfielder covers.
Won it wide. Straight forward to the strikers.

When to use it

Against teams playing out with three at the back. Against two centre-backs, the strikers press them directly.

Coaching points

Strikers start between their three centre-backs, blocking the passes into midfield.
When the ball goes to a wide centre-back, the near wide midfielder jumps onto them.
The near striker blocks the way back to the middle; the far striker blocks the switch.
The central midfielder slides across to cover the space the wide midfielder left.
The back three step up; the ball-side defender picks up their winger.

Who does what

Position	Their job
Strikers	Block passes into midfield, press the middle centre-back.
Wide midfielders	Jump onto the wide centre-back on the trigger.
Central midfielder	Slides across to cover the ball side.
Back three	Push up, ball-side defender onto their winger.

When they change it

If they…	You…
They pass quickly to their wide player	Our wide defender steps up; the wide midfielder presses back.
They go long	Middle defender attacks it, midfield wins the second ball.
They overload the middle	Strikers drop a step and screen; don't jump.

Common mistakes

The wide midfielder jumping late, after the ball arrives.
The central midfielder not sliding across, leaving a hole.
Both strikers going to the same player.

At 7v7, 9v9 and 11v11

7v7: At 7v7, a 3-1-2 presses with the same front two.
9v9: The board: 9v9 3-3-2 against a back three.
11v11: At 11v11 a 4-4-2 presses a back three with the wide midfielder jumping.

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

Drills to practise it

9v9 pressing with a front two

U12 to U13 · 18 plus keepers

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Press one, screen two (3v5 keep-ball)

U10 to adult · 8 (5 v 3)

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Midfield trap: show inside, double up

U12 to adult · 8 to 12

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Pressing triggers: traffic lights

U9 to U14 · 8 to 14

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Touchline trap

U11 to adult · 6 to 10

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Questions coaches ask

How do two strikers press three defenders?

They press the middle and block the passes; a wide midfielder jumps onto the free wide defender when the ball goes there.

When should the wide midfielder jump?

As the ball travels to the wide centre-back, so they arrive with it.

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.