A grassroots football coaching publication

7v7 · Issue 02 · Chapter 3 · Position two of five

Centre-back

Connect and protect

5 · Centre-back7v7 · 3-2-1
Give the goalkeeper a middle option, then look for a safe pass forwards.Centre-back 5 is central between outside defenders 3 and 2 and helps create a central option for a short pass before finding a midfielder.GK3521179CENTRE

Give the goalkeeper a middle option, then look for a safe pass forwards.

If an outside defender moves up, protect the route to our goal with the other defender.Right outside defender 2 steps forward. Centre-back 5 protects the central channel alongside left defender 3 while the goalkeeper remains behind.23GK3521179COVER

If an outside defender moves up, protect the route to our goal with the other defender.

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

Ask yourself

Is the middle protected?
✓ 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. Be available as a passing option through the middle when the goalkeeper or defenders have the ball.
  2. Look for a simple pass to a midfielder when the path is clear.
  3. If an outside defender steps forward, help protect the central route to our goal.
  4. Talk to the other two defenders so the back three stays connected.

Principles this position uses

  1. Principle 1Use the back threeCan our keeper see a pass?
  2. Principle 2One goes, two protectOne goes. Where are the other two?