7v7 Defending in the 2-3-1 — Every Player's Job, Position by Position
Episode 7 of the updated 7v7 series - defensive principles in the 2-3-1. Every role and responsibility a player needs by the time they get to 11v11 is built right into this formation: defending in pairs, defending wide channels 1v1, the sweeper-keeper, the helper 8, and the striker as the first defender. Position by position, back to front, we cover what each player's job is when your team loses the ball - the keeper's sweeper role and field of view, the center back pair (4 & 5) staying connected with the "if one goes, one stays" rule, the wingers (7 & 11) using the sideline as a friend, the 8 as the central problem-solver and snowplow alongside the center backs, and the 9 hunting the ball and pinning the opposing center backs to kill the back pass. Wrapping up with stills from a real 7v7 game showing the shape forming five seconds off the kickoff. Pair this with the attacking video - you can see your team get big in possession and small out of it. Next up: structured pressing - counter-press, goal kicks, and goalie restarts. If this helped, subscribe, hit the bell, and share it with a fellow coach. 0:00 - Kick-off 1:30 The Game Flow Model 3:11 Keeper - More than just blocking shots 1 7:21 Defending in Pairs 4/5 9:45 Defending Wide 7/11 10:46 Defending Centrally with the 8 13:22 Defending from the Front with the 9 15:57 1-2-3-1 - Putting it all Together 17:44 Real Game Examples Full Channel: / @soccercoachkw Buy an AI camera that doesn’t break the bank - and help out my town program at the same time! https://partner.reeplayer.com/soccerc... Join United Soccer Coaches: https://hub.unitedsoccercoaches.org/n... Amazon Coaching Items: Insta360 Ace Pro https://amzn.to/3Uj0diZ GoPro Tripod Mount - https://amzn.to/3JCtcJO 20’ Tripod - https://amzn.to/4bdSWI1 16’ tripod - https://amzn.to/4aTOi23 Tripod Weights - https://amzn.to/48z81WI GoPro Hero 12 - https://amzn.to/4aJfGzT GoPro Volta External Battery Handle - https://amzn.to/4aJfGzT 256Gb Micro Memory card - https://amzn.to/44gCNPY Insta360 X4 - https://amzn.to/4df7MQs Kwik Goal Digital Ball Pump: https://amzn.to/4blZmoK Small Tactics Board: https://amzn.to/48Ug0tP Small Magnets (Light): https://amzn.to/43iHk3S Small Magnets (Dark): https://amzn.to/3wUh6bM Big White Board: https://amzn.to/3x0NBoU Large Soccer Tactics Board: https://amzn.to/3VhzO7d Large Magnets: https://amzn.to/48RGiNv Large Magnets: https://amzn.to/3VfQxIc Waterproof Stickers: https://amzn.to/3Vfhn3b Folding Goals - High Quality: https://amzn.to/3AEITP7 https://amzn.to/4jNrsOC How to Coach Girls - Are you coaching a girls team? This little book is invaluable to understanding the different mindset and dynamics within a girls/women's team, especially if you've only coached boys - written by 2 women coaches for all to understand the subtle differences and best motivational tactics to try. https://amzn.to/4hGf1BP The Coach’s Guide to Teaching: What great classroom teachers do is relevant to coaches in profound ways. After all, coaches are at their core teachers. Lemov knows that coaches face many of the same challenges found in the classroom, so the science of learning applies equally to them. https://amzn.to/4odNpIo - Two Versus One - I like how this book really takes a look at how you can break down attacking moves into focusing on creating and winning 2v1 situations - a great way to break down the concept for both novice and experienced players, with lots of drill set ups to consider. soccer strategies and tactics, coaching soccer formations and tactics, best soccer formations, how to teach offside in soccer, best 7v7 soccer formations, best 9v9 soccer formations, football tactics for beginners As a memeber of the Amazon Affiliate program, I earn a small commission off items you may buy off these links. Thank you!

Press, Don't Chase! Organized Pressing in 7v7 (2-3-1)

Simple Coaching Language That Actually Works

7v7 Soccer - 1 Formation to Rule Them All... Revisiting 7v7 Soccer from the beginning!

How Risky Are Your Tackles? | Soccer Tackling & Defending Explained

9v9 Formation 1-2-3-2-1 Part 1 (PFS)

7v7 Tactics | 2-3-1 Formation vs 3-2-1

Understanding the Different 7v7 Formations (and why 1 is the best!) - Ep. 2

I Assisted The GOAT of Youth Development | Chris Ramsey

Portugal vs Nigeria 2-1 All Goals & Highlights 2026 | Friendly

3 Must-Know 7v7 Soccer Formations for Youth Coaches

7v7 Soccer — Why I Ban Punting (And How to Play Out Instead) Playing Out: The Basics

Unbelievable Workers | Working with Talented Engineers #46 #fail #adamrose #smartworkers

7v7 Advanced Playing Out of the Back - Using the middle of the field to your advantage

NIGERIA🇳🇬 VS 🇵🇹PORTUGAL (1-2)-MATCH HIGHLIGHTS & ALL GOALS-INTERNATIONAL FRIENDLY

You’re Using Small-Sided Games Wrong (6 Fixes)

7v7 Soccer — Attack with Width: The One Principle That Unlocks Everything Technical

World Cup PREDICTIONS! 🏆 ESPN FC breaks down the 2026 contenders: Spain, France, England and MORE!

9v9 Attacking Patterns of Play - SCORE MORE GOALS

Why Football's Most Effective Tactic Died Over Night

