Gafferbook
Pressing · 9v9 3-4-1

How to press in a 9v9 3-4-1

With one striker, a 3-4-1 needs help from midfield to press. The striker presses the middle centre-back, the central midfielders step up onto the wide centre-backs, and the wing-backs jump onto their wingers. The back three hold the line behind with a spare player.

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Step 1 of 4

They play out with a back three. Our striker and central midfielders get ready.

Drawn for 9v9 3-4-1. 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. They play out with a back three. Our striker and central midfielders get ready.
  2. Trigger: pass to their left centre-back. Our right central midfielder steps up; the striker blocks the way back.
  3. Forced down the line. Our wing-back jumps high onto their winger.
  4. Two around the ball by the touchline. Won it.

When to use it

Against teams playing out with three at the back, and when your wing-backs have the legs for it.

Coaching points

  • Striker presses the middle centre-back with a curved run.
  • A central midfielder steps up onto the wide centre-back on the ball side.
  • The wing-back on the ball side jumps high onto their winger.
  • The other central midfielder marks their midfielder.
  • Back three hold the line with a spare player.

Who does what

PositionTheir job
StrikerStarts the press.
Central midfieldersOne steps up, one marks.
Wing-backsJump onto their wingers.
Back threeHold a high line with a spare player.

When they change it

If they…You…
They go longMiddle defender attacks it, central midfielder wins the second ball.
Their midfielders drop deepThe covering central midfielder follows up.
They switchThe far wing-back leads the next press.

Common mistakes

  • The striker pressing alone.
  • Wing-backs jumping without anyone covering behind.
  • Both central midfielders stepping up.

At 7v7, 9v9 and 11v11

7v7
At 7v7 a 3-2-1 presses similarly.
9v9
The board: 9v9 3-4-1.
11v11
At 11v11, a 3-4-3 or 3-4-2-1 presses with its wing-backs jumping.

See the full 9v9 3-4-1 formation guide for the shape, positions and drills.

Drills to practise it

3-5-2 press: wing-backs jump

U13 to adult · 14 to 20 plus a keeper

Open the drill →

Press and cover in pairs

U9 to adult · 8 to 16

Open the drill →

Back three: cover and slide

U11 to adult · 3 to 6 defenders plus attackers

Open the drill →

Pressing triggers game

U11 to adult · 10 to 14

Open the drill →

Touchline trap

U11 to adult · 6 to 10

Open the drill →

Questions coaches ask

Can a 3-4-1 press high?

Yes, with a central midfielder stepping up next to the striker and the wing-backs jumping.

Who covers when the wing-back jumps?

The back three slide across, with the ball-side defender covering behind the wing-back.

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.

More tactics boards

Without the ball

High press

How to press high as a team: the trigger, the curved run, trapping them on the touchline, who covers, and what to do when they play around you.

Watch it →With the ball

Playing out in a 3-4-1

Building from the back in a 9v9 3-4-1: back three against two strikers, wing-backs high, and a midfield pair that rotates to find space. Animated board.

Watch it →Without the ball

Pressing in a 3-4-3

How a 3-4-3 presses: front three against their back line, wing-backs jumping, the central pair stepping onto their midfield. Animated board.

Watch it →

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