A grassroots football coaching publication

7v7 · Issue 02 · Chapter 2 · Principle three of four

One short, one higher

Two midfielders can give us different passing distances. One midfielder offers a shorter pass while the other can support the striker on a higher line.

Fig. 3 · One short, one higher7v7 · 3-2-1
When our two midfielders stand flat, the next pass can become difficult to see.Midfielders 11 and 7 stand at the same height ahead of centre-back 5. The central defender has the ball but the midfield pair does not yet offer useful different passing distances.GK3521179NO ANGLE

✕ WrongWhen our two midfielders stand flat, the next pass can become difficult to see.

11 offers a closer pass while 7 gets into a different space nearer our striker.Number 11 moves towards a shorter supporting angle for the defender on the ball. Number 7 moves up towards the forward, so the two midfielders are on different lines. These are options rather than fixed lanes.117GK3521179SHORTHIGH

✓ Right11 offers a closer pass while 7 gets into a different space nearer our striker.

How We Play illustration based on reviewed guidance. Pictures show ideas, not fixed moves.
Key
  • Us
  • Them
  • Ball
  • Gap
  • Run
  • Pass
  • Started here
  • Key space

Say it on the touchline

Can we give two different passes?

The jobs can switch. This is about seeing space, not assigning one midfielder to stay back forever.

✓ 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.

What to look for

  1. If both midfielders are on the same line, one can move to help the player on the ball.
  2. The other looks for a different space further forward rather than following the first player.
  3. Both recover to help the back three when we lose possession.

Positions that use this rule

  1. 11 · 7The two midfieldersDifferent angles, together
  2. 9StrikerShow short or stretch the pitch