Midfielder is Too Close
and at the Wrong Angle

"I often stop the practice games and challenge the players to think
about the soccer problems they are facing."4
Louis van Gaal

In diagram 1 both of the orange midfielders have come into the center of the field. This helps the blue team, they can support each other and they have a smaller area to defend. The blue #7 is free to press the orange #3 closely because the #6 has buried himself. The orange midfield has also closed the channel between the numbers 3 and 9, in effect putting a human wall between them. These positions, while a triangle, are incorrect. The orange team is faced with a significant soccer problem in trying to work the ball out of the back.

In diagram 2 both of the orange midfielders have taken wider positions. The angle and distance in this case makes it harder for the defenders, they have much more space to cover and cannot support each other as easily. It also opens the channel between the #3 and the #9. These positions are in keeping with the players tasks in this moment and help to simplify the situation facing the #3.

Midfielder is too far forward.

Striker is too far back.

Sweeper is too far back.

Midfielder is too close and at a poor angle.

3v3 bad shape