6 · The screen9v9 · 3-1-3-1
Get between the attacker and 5. Slow them down, teammates recover, we defend together.An opponent with the ball runs at us through the middle. Our 6 stays in a shaded circle between the attacker and 5, while 11 and 7 recover inside from wide.1171176352

Get between the attacker and 5. Slow them down, teammates recover, we defend together.

9v9 · 3-1-3-1 · Position

The screen

Protect. Connect.

✓ Coaching reviewed · 19 October 2026

Ask yourself

You don't have to win every tackle. Sometimes stopping them going forward is enough.

Your jobs
  • Stay underneath the ball. Stay central.
  • Show for possession. Protect us when we lose it.
They break at us

Get between the attacker and 5. Slow them down, so teammates recover and we defend together.

We win it back

Move to find an angle. Then ask: can I turn? Yes: look forward. No: play safely and move again.

Redrawn from the source playbook, p. 10. 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.Show them wide, then goProtect the middle, guide them to the touchline, then press together.