A grassroots football coaching publication

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

One goes, two protect

Find width without leaving our centre-back alone. An outside defender can support play on the wing if the other two defenders are ready to protect us.

Fig. 2 · One goes, two protect7v7 · 3-2-1
If both outside defenders race forward, 5 can be left alone to protect our goal.Our left defender 3 and right defender 2 are both high up the pitch, with only centre-back 5 nearer the goalkeeper. A large unprotected space around number 5 is marked as the risk of advancing both at once.32GK3521179EXPOSED

✕ WrongIf both outside defenders race forward, 5 can be left alone to protect our goal.

2 can give us width when the moment is right; 5 and 3 keep the route to goal covered.Right outside defender 2 steps towards the space on the right flank to support possession. Centre-back 5 stays central and left defender 3 moves slightly inside. The two remaining defenders protect the middle if the ball is lost.23GK3521179COVER

✓ Right2 can give us width when the moment is right; 5 and 3 keep the route to goal covered.

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

Say it on the touchline

One goes. Where are the other two?

The right and left outside defenders share the responsibility. Which one advances depends on where the ball and safe spaces are.

✓ 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. The outside defender decides whether there is space to support the attack.
  2. The centre-back and opposite outside defender remain connected and able to defend if the ball is lost.
  3. The team avoids sending both outside defenders away from the goal at the same moment.

Positions that use this rule

  1. 5Centre-backConnect and protect
  2. 3 · 2Outside defendersDefend your side. Know when to join in.