Attacking Phase – Build up in defensive third – Creating a back three

Creating a back 3 to build up from the back is one of the best ways to safely progress forward. Create an overload in the defensive line to overcome the opponent’s first line of pressure.

• Creation of overloads in the defensive line and in the defensive third
• Move the ball to create space in the opponent’s first line of pressure
• Progress the ball to the 2nd or 3rd line
• Whenever possible, prefer diagonal passes
• Midfielders’ movements without the ball to create space or to take advantage of it
• Movements behind the defender usually to their blindspot

Below you can see an animation with the basic philosophy. The creation of the back three can be done in different ways. One way is for the holding midfielder to drop back between the two center backs.

Another way is for a central midfielder to drop back to the side. In case, a team has very skillful on the ball defenders, the back three can be created with two center backs and one full back. The coach can decide based on his player’s characteristics.

Below it’s a training drill, a small-sided game with players playing in their positions that aims to teach the players to create a back three and to progress the ball forward. The coach can add any rules to make the main idea appear as much as possible.

A drill influenced by the reading of Positional Play in Modern Football: How to Use Guardiola’s Attractive Way: A guide on what Positional Play is and how to train it, influenced by Pep Guardiola training concepts