A grassroots football coaching publication

9v9 · Issue 02 · Formation guide

The 3-3-2

Three protect. Three connect. Two work together. A 9v9 starting picture with three defenders, three midfielders and two forwards who must offer different options.

✓ Coaching reviewed · 20 October 2026

Written by Niall Walsh, grassroots football coach and founder of How We Play. Coaching reviewed by David Wilson on 20 October 2026.

Chapter 1

Starting shape

Three behind, three connecting play, two sharing the forward work.

Starting shape: 1-3-3-2Starting picture, 1-3-3-2: goalkeeper; 3, 5 and 2 at the back; 11, 8 and 7 in midfield; 9 and 10 up front.GK3521187910
A starting shape, not a fixed position for every moment of the match. Illustrated by How We Play from reviewed coaching guidance.

This shape gives us

  • a recognisable three-player defence
  • a three-player midfield linking both ends
  • a partner for each of our two forwards
  • opportunities to use width and combinations

Our spine runs through the middle: GK, 5 and 8, with 9 and 10 sharing the front line.

Notation
1-3-3-2 (goalkeeper first) · 3-3-2 (outfield)
Back line
3
Midfield
3
Forwards
2

Chapter 2

Our four playing principles

Four practical questions to help players read the game and make decisions.

  1. Middle first

    Protect the middle before committing more than one player to the ball.

    “Press or cover?”
  2. Ball side wide, far side in

    Support the player in possession without crowding their space.

    “Stay wide or tuck in?”
  3. One comes, one goes

    One forward can offer a pass to feet while the other threatens space.

    “Offer feet or threaten behind?”
  4. Go together, recover together

    Pressing depends on help from nearby teammates, not one player chasing alone.

    “Are teammates close enough to help?”

Chapter 3

A job for every player

A starting job for each position, with room to learn and adapt.

  1. GKGoalkeeperStart, see, speak Ask yourself: Who is free, and what happens if I pass there?
  2. 5Centre-backSee the whole picture Ask yourself: If I step in, who's behind me?
  3. 3 · 2Outside defendersDefend, support, cover Ask yourself: Am I pressing or covering?
  4. 8Central midfielderConnect both ends Ask yourself: Can they play through us if I move?
  5. 11 · 7Wide midfieldersWidth and hard work Ask yourself: Should I be wide or inside right now?
  6. 9 · 10Two forwardsPartners, not passengers Ask yourself: Where is my partner going?

Chapter 4

Playing together

How attacking options and defensive responsibilities depend on one another.

When we have the ball

  1. Principle 2Ball side wide, far side inSupport the player in possession without crowding their space.
  2. Principle 3One comes, one goesOne forward can offer a pass to feet while the other threatens space.
  3. Partnership · 9 and 10Two forwardsPartners, not passengers

When they have the ball

  1. Principle 1Middle firstProtect the middle before committing more than one player to the ball.
  2. Principle 4Go together, recover togetherPressing depends on help from nearby teammates, not one player chasing alone.
  3. Partnership · 8Central midfielderConnect both ends

The playbook

Issue 02 in print

A printable edition of this issue to share with players and parents, built from the same content as these pages. Free, no email, no payment. It isn't released yet.

More features for this issue, such as restarts and matchday guidance, will be added only once they've been written and reviewed.