Back Three Build-Up | Sharpen Your Ball Progression into Midfield with a 3v2

Overview

• Players from U15 on up through the top level
• Teams that play with a back three
• Coaches who want sharper build-up and better decision-making

Objectives

• Build the decision-making your back three needs to play out safely under pressure
• Give players more than one route into midfield so they can adapt to whatever pressure the opponent throws at them
• Teach an isolated midfielder to make the right call in tight time and space

Setup

In this drill, your back three works the ball safely up to a central midfielder while under pressure.

１）Set up in one half of the field and place two mini-goals (about 2–3m wide).

２）Start with the back three as the defending side and two forwards as the attacking side.

３）The back three’s job is to get the ball up to a midfielder positioned centrally on the halfway line.

４）That midfielder has to beat the pressure and play the ball into one of the two mini-goals.

５）The two attackers press, and the moment they win the ball they break quickly into a counter.

６）Once they win it, they go straight at goal in a 2v3 or 3v3 to try to score fast.