Shape of Defense - Middle Back

Shape of Defense - Middle Back

In this instance, the middle attacker is up slower then the defenders on either side of him/her.  This creates space immediately in front of him/her.  The attacking side can exploit this extra space.  the simplest is a 'give-and-go'.

The ball carrier immediately sends the ball to the middle attacker who runs up the the extra space towards the straggling middle defender .  This attacking run will allow the supporting attack runners to get behind their respective defenders and be prepared to receive the pass to get them by the remaining middle defender.

Essentially, by coming up slower than his/her fellow defenders, the middle defender has reduced the even 3 v 3 situation to a 3 v 2, immediately followed by a 3 v 1 to the attackers advantage.