5 · Centre-back9v9 · 3-1-3-1
1 Carry: space ahead, so 5 carries it forward. 2 They come: an opponent has to come to 5. 3 Pass: now a teammate is free.Our 5 carries the ball forward from the back. An opponent steps up to close them down, so 5 passes to the 10, who is now free on the left of midfield.591011765321 CARRY2 THEY COME3 PASS

1 Carry: space ahead, so 5 carries it forward. 2 They come: an opponent has to come to 5. 3 Pass: now a teammate is free.

! The opponent's arrow is shorter in the source; its start point here is approximate.

9v9 · 3-1-3-1 · Position

Centre-back

Keep us secure

✓ Coaching reviewed · 19 October 2026

Ask yourself

Can I step in?

Your jobs
  • Protect the middle.
  • Don't get dragged out unless somebody covers you.
  • If nobody presses you, carry the ball forward.
Carry it forward
  1. Space ahead? Carry it forward.
  2. Sooner or later an opponent has to come to you.
  3. Now a teammate is free. Pass.

Redrawn from the source playbook, p. 8. Shirt numbers describe the starting picture; every player should try more than one role.

Rules this position uses
Middle firstProtect the middle before chasing the ball outside.One goes, one staysOne outside defender can attack. The other stays.