A grassroots football coaching publication

9v9 · Issue 02 · Chapter 2 · Principle one of four

Middle first

Protect the route to our goal before chasing wide. Protect the middle before committing more than one player to the ball.

Fig. 1 · Middle first9v9 · 3-3-2
Example: more than one player follows the ball wide, leaving a possible route through the middle.The opponent on our right has the ball. Our 8 and right defender 2 both move towards it, while space can appear in front of centre-back 5.3528117910CENTRAL SPACE

Example: more than one player follows the ball wide, leaving a possible route through the middle.

Example: the ball-side player applies pressure while 8 stays connected to the centre.Opponent on the right has the ball. The right defender stays between the ball and goal while central midfielder 8 helps protect the middle ahead of 5.3528117910PROTECT MIDDLE

Example: the ball-side player applies pressure while 8 stays connected to the centre.

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

Say it on the touchline

Press or cover?

If somebody steps towards the ball, somebody else needs to protect the central route.

✓ 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.

What to look for

  1. Watch whether pressure on the ball has cover behind it.
  2. Check whether 8 remains connected to the back three.
  3. Decide who can press rather than sending everybody towards the same player.

Positions that use this rule

  1. GKGoalkeeperStart, see, speak
  2. 5Centre-backSee the whole picture
  3. 3 · 2Outside defendersDefend, support, cover
  4. 8Central midfielderConnect both ends