By Matt Carroll
The 3-2-1 formation for the 7v7 game at first looks heavily defensive, and can be if not utilized correctly. The teaching moment in the 3-2-1 is the ability for the use of overlaps from the three-person back line and developing a sense of when, and how, to counter attack opponents.
In the three back players do not need to slide to cover defensively as much because the width they are able to cover, the only added responsibility is the backside defender must look to cover the oppositions winger, compared to the two back where the backside defender needs to slide centrally, while also be aware of, and defend, backside runs from the winger.
In attack one of the backs should look to work either into the midfeld or as a second forward based on the openings the opposition allows. The key here is the communication. If the players are able to do so, they can communicate themselves and decide when to best to take advantages of overlapping or forward runs that exploit the opposition. At the 7v7 level this coordination may be a little too much, so instead coaches can create certain situations that the team must read to know when to press forward, such as if the ball goes high and wide, the back side back can go to stretch the defense.
In the midfield, with the support of three backs, there is less need for the defenders to work so midfielders can work back to double, or stay higher up and be a much more credible counter attacking threat by providing options between the oppositions midfield lines. This also relieves the forward from most defensive responsibilities so they can also stay high and push the depth of the field, or more easily rotate with the midfielders to provide a more fluid attacking sequence.
By Matt Carroll
