Fig. 1 · Middle first9v9 · 3-1-3-1
6 is dragged to the touchline. A big gap opens in front of 5.An opponent on our right has the ball. Our 6 has run from the centre towards them, leaving a grey gap in front of the centre-back, and the opponent passes into it.66235GAP
✕ Wrong

6 is dragged to the touchline. A big gap opens in front of 5.

9v9 · 3-1-3-1 · Rule 1 of 4

Middle first

Make it difficult for teams to play through us.

Protect the middle before chasing the ball outside.

✓ Coaching reviewed · 19 October 2026

Say it on the touchline

If you're not sure whether to go, stay central.

We defend from inside to outside.

What to look for
  1. The 6 stays central, between the ball and our goal.
  2. Nobody leaves a gap in front of the centre-back (5) to chase the ball wide.

Redrawn from the source playbook, pp. 2 and 3. Pictures show ideas, not fixed moves.

Positions that use this rule
GKGoalkeeperStart us playing5Centre-backKeep us secure6The screenProtect. Connect.