TRANSFORM YOUR TEAM'S SEASON WITH PROFESSIONALLY PLANNED SESSIONS
Use our expert plans or build your own using our library of over 700+ drills, and easy-to-use tools.
JOIN NOW
Hi all,I would like to ask what is the best formation to play a 7-a-side match(under-18) when u have strong defence(key player in defence) but unexperienced midfield. I had in mind 3-2-1 while defending and 2-3-1 while attacking. Any suggestions please?
Hi Alessadro,
I think your ideas are probably the best way to approach it, especially if you have your key defender as the central defender who is the spare man when out of possession. He can then protect line to goal whilst the others mark their men.
This will allow him to play slightly higher and support the midfield in both defence and then in transition when there is a turnover. As a result, in attack the formation will move into having three in the middle with him stepping forward to support the attack.
What is vital in this instance is that the two remaining defenders are disciplined in providing cover incase you lose the ball in midfield and there is a counterattack from the opposition whilst your key defender is higher up the field.
I hope this helps!
Hi Alessadro,
I think your ideas are probably the best way to approach it, especially if you have your key defender as the central defender who is the spare man when out of possession. He can then protect line to goal whilst the others mark their men.
This will allow him to play slightly higher and support the midfield in both defence and then in transition when there is a turnover. As a result, in attack the formation will move into having three in the middle with him stepping forward to support the attack.
What is vital in this instance is that the two remaining defenders are disciplined in providing cover incase you lose the ball in midfield and there is a counterattack from the opposition whilst your key defender is higher up the field.
I hope this helps!
The best teams don't just press - they press at the right moment. Here's how to train your players to read the cues.
Affordable tracking technology has reached grassroots hockey. Here's how to use it to improve performance without drowning in data.
2026 is the first full year with mandatory face masks for penalty corner defence. Here's how to train your defenders for the new equipment reality.
Use our expert plans or build your own using our library of over 700+ drills, and easy-to-use tools.
JOIN NOW