HOME Football Answers Football COACHING Q&A

Defending as a back 3

How to defend in and out of posssesion as a back 3

Nigel GodfreyCoach, Jersey

1 answer

ANSWERS

Cam HughesCoach, England

Hi Nigel, when defending as a back three, both in and out of possession, there are some key principles to consider:

In Possession: The back three should maintain width to stretch the opposition and create passing lanes. They should be comfortable in possession, looking to play out from the back and support the midfield. Communication is crucial to ensure the team maintains shape and can quickly transition to defense if possession is lost.
Out of Possession: The back three must stay compact and communicate effectively to cover spaces and mark opponents. They should work together to apply pressure, provide support, and maintain balance. The aim is to keep the play predictable and force the opposition into wide areas or less dangerous zones.

For practical drills, you might find the "Defending the Midfield" drill useful. It emphasizes pressure, support, and balance as a back three, ensuring that play is kept in front of the defenders and forced across the goal.

You can explore more drills and session plans on Sportplan to enhance your team's defensive strategies.

JOIN SPORTPLAN FOR FREE

search our library of 500+ football drills
create your own professional coaching plans
or access our tried and tested plans

Football

STAY CONNECTED

in more ways than one

sportplan_football

LATEST COACHING TRENDS

Set Piece Defending: Should Your Team Use Zonal or Man Marking?

Set pieces account for roughly a third of all goals in football, yet many coaches spend surprisingly little time coaching defensive organisation at corners and free kicks. This article compares zonal and man marking systems, explores hybrid approaches, and provides a practical session structure for building set piece resilience into your team.

April 2026

Sportplan Coaching

First Touch Under Pressure: The Skill That Separates Levels

A player's first touch determines everything that follows: whether they can play forward, turn, or simply retain the ball. This article explores why training first touch in isolation is not enough, and how to design sessions that develop this critical skill under realistic game pressure.

April 2026

Sportplan Coaching