in attack…

Your starting position in Block D is to create a triangle with the centre-backs where you can get free and face forward, or receive to then get free again…

In this moment, the 8s start high…they can drop to get free next to the 6, but should look to combine quickly before making forward runs.

See here, for example, where the 8 moves higher in the pocket to give the 6 time and space to play a forward pass.

The key is to constantly be thinking “get free” or “get others free”, by moving into the pockets where you can receive beyond defenders.

You can see the movement of the opposite 8 here to get free where they can receive and face forwad.

To create attacks, you’ll create triangles with the wide strikers and wing-backs, helping us to keep the ball moving and speed up the game.

Constantly look to rotate with your teammates while keeping the triangle so we can combine quickly!

As this happens, the 6 should stay central, creating a triangle with the centre-backs in rest defence so we have balance behind the ball to counterpress effectively.

When in Block B, we want to be looking for ways to release a forward run in behind in the halfspace, like you can see here…

See how the 8 makes the run where they can receive the forward pass facing the goal…

…you may not get the ball, but you can create space for others….

…or you may end up in a position where you can create a goal scoring opportunity…

…ideally, a poacher finish from a halfspace assist!

If you can’t get free in the halfspace, though, the 8s can go around the wide striker to get free, like Kevin de Bruyne does here:

and Jordan Henderson does here – look at the change in pace!

in defence…

Defensively, the midfield three work as a unit, defending compactly…

The 8s cover the middle and press wide…

…baiting lines of pass into players so you can press their first touch aggressively.

James Milner times this moment expertly here to create a counterattacking opportunity.

If they pass backwards, keep chasing – hunt the ball and be aggressive!

If the press is beaten, though, work hard to close the ball & protect the middle.

This is particularly important the closer we get to our own goal in Block C & D, as you’ll need to cover the spaces between defenders.

Look at how hard Jordan Henderson, the 6, works here to protect the penalty spot.

Always looking to get back behind the ball & cover the spaces where they could score from…

…and doing everything you can to defend for the team and never take a backwards step!