Shaping a 3-5-2 formation

This training session is about maximising the full potential of the 3-5-2 system, which was very much in vogue in the 1990s. The formation has been utilised by successful German club sides, such as 1997 Champions League winners, Borussia Dortmund, and it was employed by the Germany team that won Euro 96 under Berti Vogts. More recently it was used by Gareth Southgate’s England team at the 2018 World Cup.

This 3-5-2 system facilitates a training set-up of a very functional nature. When preparing a team, it is a much more preferable structure than ‘shadow play’, which is not particularly liked by players, no matter how efficiently it is organised.

This session would be used fairly regularly in pre-season and several times a week during the season. It is ideal preparation the day before a match, as offensive and defensive set-pieces are reinforced within the session.

What do I get the players to do?

Changing boxes

We set up two 25x15-yard boxes side by side but separated by a 10-yard gap. We’re using 16 players split into two teams of eight. One team begins in each box. We start the practice by getting players to familiarise themselves with the playing area, organising a passing session with a ball in each box.

After the players are warmed up, one ball is removed and three defending players are sent from the box without a ball to the opposition’s box. The team of eight pass under pressure from the three defenders. If the defenders win possession, or if the ball is played outside the area, then the ball is transferred across to the five remaining players in the other box, as shown [1a].

1a

The five players start to pass the ball in their area and are quickly rejoined by their three defenders. Three opposition defenders also enter the box, as shown [1b], and they press and try to win the ball back.

1b

To enable the new possession team to establish composure on the ball, we sometimes get the opposition defenders to do three shuttles between the boxes before they can attempt to win the ball back.

How do I progress the session?

Shaping a team 8v3

To progress the session we introduce a big overload in favour of the team in possession. We set up on two third of a pitch, with a full size goal and a goalkeeper at each end. We’re using 11 outfield players, with three players defending each end and five midfielders in the centre who attack each goal in turn. It’s an 8v3 game, so the five midfielders join one set of defenders when they are in possession and attack the other set, as shown [2a].

2a

Once the attacking team has scored, or if the ball has been saved or if there has been a turnover of possession, the five midfielders join the other set of defenders and attack in the opposite direction, as shown [2b]. The absence of strikers is a deliberate attempt to get goals from the midfield players.

2b

Play starts and restarts from the goalkeeper. We play for 20 minutes.

Shaping a team 10v5

This progression works on the same principles as the previous activity, but sees the introduction of strikers. Each unit of three defenders is given two strikers, who combine with the five midfielders to attack the defenders at the other end, as shown [3a]. Again, when the ball has gone dead, the five midfielders turn and join with the three defenders and two strikers of the other team to attack the opposite end, as shown [3b]. Play continues like this in waves.

3a

3b

We play for 40 minutes, or for as long as is required.

What are the key things to look out for?

There are many basic tactical things to consider. The configuration of the three central defenders is key and you should decide whether they defend zonally or man mark.

The shape of the midfield five is also important – one should sit deep and your wing backs should not advance too far into the front third, as it would be impossible to cover the entire wing for 90 minutes in a match. It should be the inner midfield players who makes the wide forward runs, not the wing backs.

The 3-5-2 structure has proved successful against other formations. However, careful scrutiny of the system in action reveals the 3-5-2 is deficient defensively when it is outnumbered in the wide areas. Each wing back has to compete with the two wide players of the opposition, unless suitable provision is made. Therefore the strikers have vitally important defensive duties to perform. On losing possession they are immediately required to defend the wide areas to shut off the opposition full backs. This early action will leave the centre backs, who over the years have been less comfortable on the ball, free to take possession.

What are the typical mistakes players might make and how do I avoid them?

Sometimes the back three can be indecisive about their responsibilities. We would instruct one of the defenders to move to the ball and the other two to sit square behind. For instance, the defender in the zone of the receiving player marks tight while the other two cover behind, or one defender attacks a high ball and makes the challenge while the other two offer protection.

The strikers can be lazy when the team is out of possession and they must remember their defensive responsibilities when necessary, normally pressing high and wide when the opposing goalkeeper distributes ball.

How would you put this in a game situation?

The 8v3 game is a small sided version of the exercise which should reinforce what is required and replicates the game situation very well.

The addition of another five opposition midfield players to the 10v5 game would complete two full teams, with only the defensive responsibilities of the middle five remaining to be instructed – the wing backs would need to be shown how to retreat to form a five-man defence and the middle three defenders are taught to move as a unit to the side of the ball.