A grassroots football coaching publication

7v7 · Issue 01 · Chapter 3 · Position two of five

The two defenders

Give options. Protect together.

3 · 2 · The two defenders7v7 · 2-3-1
Open up to receive. Give your goalkeeper an option.Two defenders stand apart and available for a goalkeeper to pass into wide defensive positions.GK328LEFT OPTIONRIGHT OPTION

Open up to receive. Give your goalkeeper an option.

If one meets the ball, the other covers. Stay connected.Defender 3 meets an opposition ball carrier on our left and defender 2 is deeper and nearer the centre, covering the space towards our goal.32GK328COVER

If one meets the ball, the other covers. Stay connected.

How We Play illustration based on reviewed guidance. Starting positions are not fixed.
Key
  • Us
  • Ball
  • Key space
  • Them
  • Run
  • Started here

Ask yourself

If my partner goes, where should I be?
✓ Coaching reviewed · 22 October 2026

Written by Niall Walsh, grassroots football coach and founder of How We Play. Coaching reviewed by David Wilson on 22 October 2026.

Your jobs

  1. With the ball, move apart enough to be seen by our goalkeeper.
  2. When the opposition attack, work together: one can meet the danger, the other covers.
  3. Stay close enough that you can help one another when possession changes.

Principles this position uses

  1. Principle 1Give two optionsCan our keeper see two choices?
  2. Principle 3One presses, one coversIf your mate goes, where do you cover?
  3. Principle 4Lose it, find homeWho slows them? Where do I help?