3 v 2 to Two Small Goals
Two defenders run the ball out of their own third with a midfielder to link through, against two who want it back.
Everything else this season is built on getting the ball out of the back without giving it away. This is that problem at the smallest numbers where it is still a real problem.
Starting at Core — your team is set to mixed.
30 min in the practice phase · Two fields, attackers and defenders rotating each round
- Ages 11–13
- Two fields, attackers and defenders rotating each round
- 30 min in the practice phase
- Cones, four mini goals, pinnies in two colors, balls
Grab Cones, four mini goals, pinnies, a supply of balls.
Build Mark two 54-by-44-yard fields, each with two mini goals in the midfield end.
Place Two attackers on the endline, a central midfielder ahead of them, two defenders between.
Two wide fields, two mini goals at the far end of each, a pair of defenders sitting between the attackers and the goals.
- 1
Organize the players
Mark both fields, set two attackers and a midfielder against two defenders on each, ball with the attackers on the endline.
“You two are getting this out and into midfield. You two are stopping it. Go.”
- 2
Show the jobs
Walk one repetition — the midfielder shows behind the defenders, receives, and turns forward rather than back.
“You're the link. Get behind them, and when it comes, go forward with it.”
- 3
Play
Run it continuously. At a break, ask the source's own question — how do the inside defenders get through the defensive third?
“Play safe combinations from defense to midfield, then start attacking the goal.”
Look for The midfielder moving BEFORE the pass, into space behind the defenders rather than toward the ball.
- 4
Switch and repeat
Swap attackers and defenders every few rounds so nobody spends the session on one job.
“Switch. Everybody defends, everybody builds.”
Too hard? Drop the midfielder and play 2 v 1, with attackers shooting from outside the end zones — the source's own easier version. Too easy? Squeeze the field to 30 yards wide.
Go deeper · 3 notes
Why it works
The defenders cannot both press the ball and cover the link. Once the midfielder shows behind them the attackers have a choice, and a choice is what makes it a decision rather than a technique.
What they learn
A pass into midfield beats a clearance every time it is on. Look for the link before you look long.
What's next
The same idea at full numbers — keeping the ball to move them.
Where does this come from?
US Soccer and Massachusetts Youth Soccer — their published nine-a-side session plans for U13 and up.
A governing body published this — the same organization that writes the rules your league plays by.