Tactics: How to Play in a 3-5-2? [COMPLETE GUIDE]

The 3-5-2, used in certain professional clubs, is fairly uncommon within amateur soccer. It's certainly more complex to apply than the diamond 4-4-2 or the 4-3-3, but it nevertheless has many assets that could suit the players available in your squad. What training drills to use to work on the 3-5-2? What are the assets and weaknesses of a 3-5-2 system? Overview.

1. What is the 3-5-2 in soccer?
2. Tactics: how to play the 3-5-2 effectively?
3. What are the strengths of the 3-5-2 system?
4. The 3-5-2 in soccer: the weaknesses
5. What training drills to use to work on the 3-5-2?
6. Conclusion on the 3-5-2 formation

What is the 3-5-2 in soccer?

The 3-5-2 can have different looks, but we'll focus here on its most common form, with 3 midfielders that form a triangle in the center. The 3-5-2 then breaks down into 4 lines, with the central attacking midfielder who will play between the line of defensive midfielders and that of attackers.

The different lines of the 3-5-2

This 3-5-2 system has been used by many professional teams over the years, the most emblematic being surely Juventus of Turin. We can take as an example the Antonio Conte years with very talented central defenders such as Giorgio Chiellini or Bonucci. Don't worry, you can very well use this type of tactical system without necessarily having central defenders of this caliber.

But then how to evolve effectively in 3-5-2 and what are the advantages and disadvantages of this formation? What type of offensive movement and what defensive positioning in 3-5-2 in soccer? We'll try to enlighten you on these different points. Let's go! (as our English friends would say).

Tactics: how to play the 3-5-2 effectively?

What midfield disposition in 3-5-2?

When you play in 3-5-2, you'll need to choose what disposition you want to apply to your midfielders. The choices are multiple but here are the main options:

1. Play with a 2-2-1 midfield: 2 defensive midfielders, 2 wide players, and finally a central attacking midfielder.
2. Play with a 1-2-2 midfield: 1 defensive midfielder, 2 central midfielders, and finally 2 wide midfielders on the same line.
3. Play with a 3-2 midfield: 3 central midfielders on the same line and 2 wide midfielders higher on the field (rather risky approach given the spaces this leaves behind the wide players).

2-2-1 midfield in a 3-5-2 formation

1-2-2 midfield in a 3-5-2 formation

3-2 midfield in a 3-5-2 formation

Tactical system in 3-5-2 and offensive movement

What offensive movement applied in 3-5-2? To answer this question, you must understand that the 3-5-2 will emphasize density in midfield. It's the midfielders who will often bring numerical superiority during offensive phases. It goes without saying that they'll need to be comfortable on the technical level.

Soccer is a sport in constant evolution. Tactics and playing systems evolve continuously to adapt to the changing demands of modern play. Among the tactical formations that have attracted the attention of coaches and enthusiasts in recent seasons, the 3-5-2 is one of the most used and challenged. Although initially designed to offer a solid defensive base, the 3-5-2 formation has evolved to become an offensively dynamic formation, emphasizing creativity and fluidity of play.

The offensive characteristics of the 3-5-2

The 3-5-2 in soccer, also called "wing system", is characterized by three central defenders, five midfielders, and two attackers.

As mentioned previously, this formation offers defensive solidity thanks to the presence of an additional central defender compared to formations with four defenders.

What makes the 3-5-2 attractive and very visible in modern soccer is its ability to generate constant pressure on the opposing defense because as the saying goes, "the best defense is attack". Playing with three defenders therefore no longer means defense.

The role of the lines of a 3-5-2 in soccer

In a 3-5-2 system, the three central defenders have the possibility to effectively cover the width of the field, which isn't always the case with two central defenders. This allows them, tactically, to more easily cut opposing attacks without abandoning the center of the field. Moreover, they are the first build-up play of the team and the fact of being three offers more passing possibilities to break lines.

One of the keys to the offensive movement of a 3-5-2 lies in the versatile role of midfielders. The three central midfielders are charged with controlling the tempo of play, distributing balls forward or to the sides, and supporting both attack and defense. These midfielders must be capable of covering vast zones of the field, creating goal-scoring opportunities, and providing numerical support.

The two midfielders positioned on the wings also have a great tactical role to contribute offensively, generally through runs behind the defense to then cross, but also defensively so the three central defenders concentrate on the center and the wings aren't free of marking. These players are fast, well prepared physically, and technically precise, today's "pistons".

Finally, the two attackers of a 3-5-2 formation have freedom. They can combine or interact with their position to deceive the opposing defense. These two players must be a true duo to be coordinated and not run into empty space.

The 2 attackers must obviously be complementary. You can place them on the same line or decide to have a deeper attacker who can potentially offer lower solutions on the field and "rotate around" your center forward.

The keys to succeeding offensively with a 3-5-2

To maximize the offensive efficiency of a 3-5-2, coordination and deep tactical understanding are essential. Players must be trained to understand their roles and responsibilities in the system.

Communication is also there to balance this system which, when not respected, becomes a real opportunity for the opponent to become threatening.

Defensive positioning in 3-5-2

After discussing the offensive movement of a 3-5-2 formation in soccer, let's see together the defensive positioning of this system.

As the basic goal through this tactic, the 3-5-2 brings certain defensive stability thanks to numerical superiority of players in the center, but, to stay solid and robust, perfect coordination is essential.

The defensive structure of the 3-5-2

The three central defenders of a 3-5-2 system are the base of the latter. Their role is to cover the entire width of the field more intensely than with two central defenders. This allows players positioned on the wings to advance more easily because their flank can be covered by one of the three central defenders.

Historically, two central defenders were flat and the third was between them and the goalkeeper, the famous sweeper. From now on, the three defenders are positioned on the same line. The ideal system is a good heading player in the center to cover this playing sector and two more versatile players beside them, a right-footer and a left-footer, slightly faster and skillful in build-up play.

Coordination and communication: the defensive key of the 3-5-2

As with any playing system, the key to its success lies in coordination and communication between players. As seen previously, the three central defenders must be complementary and in constant exchange to stay properly positioned. The goal is to be well positioned, notably to play the offside, because aligning at three is, consequently, more complicated than at two.

Wide players, positioned higher, at the midfield level, must be able to support the central defenders defensively to form, if needed, a line of five, once again, watch the alignment. These two players must also be ready to make forward runs to maintain defensive cohesion.

In all cases, prioritizing the center and creating numerical superiority in the center is the objective of a 3-5-2 in case of an opposing counter-attack. The wings are more easily left free to concentrate on the goal and its protection.

Central midfielders as defensive numerical superiority

As you've understood, in a 3-5-2, the role of your 3 central defenders will be essential. Since options for wide build-up play are limited, you'll need to insist on the quality of build-up play. This is where your central defensive midfielder will be important. They'll need to constantly offer behind the line of opposing attackers.

Run into space in a 3-5-2 formation

Free offensively to create space, the three central midfielders of a 3-5-2 must be capable of making the defensive effort if needed. They must especially not forget their defensive importance to come in front of the defense and create a compact block.

Generally, one of the three players is confined to defensive tasks by positioning themselves in front of the central defenders like Rodri with Manchester City or Matic with Olympique Lyonnais more recently.

The role of attacking players

The density in midfield allowed by the 3-5-2 formation will also allow being quite effective during pressing, hence the importance of attacking players. Thanks to your 3 central midfielders, you'll be able to have them step out onto opposing fullbacks, which will considerably support the pressing of the 2 attackers.

You'll also be able to practice this more particularly during counter-pressing, and this directly upon losing the ball. Even if this isn't an aspect very used by teams playing in 3-5-2, you could work on it with your players and use it to your advantage.

In case of ball loss, counter-pressing can be launched to immediately recover the ball. Once again, coordination will be your best friend. If pressing doesn't work, you must defend the center and slow down opposing progression so your players have time to get back into position. The attacking duo has its role to play to disrupt and harass your opponents.

What are the strengths of the 3-5-2 system?

The first strength of a 3-5-2 playing system is central defensive solidity. It's a point we've mentioned but it's important to emphasize it. You'll implement 3 central defenders, so naturally, this zone will be better protected. However, be careful, what you gain here, you lose in other zones of the field. We'll come back to this just below when we address the weaknesses of the 3-5-2 in soccer.

The 2nd strength of a 3-5-2 playing system is density in midfield. Whether you opt for midfielders in 1-2-2, 3-2, or even 2-2-1 (see above), you'll simply create numerical superiority against the opposing midfield. This superiority will obviously need to be exploited correctly.

The last advantage of a 3-5-2 tactic is the ability to quickly switch to 5-3-2 or 5-4-1 with 5 defenders. By asking your wide players to drop back one level, you'll densify your defensive line and you can do this by giving a simple instruction without necessarily disrupting your players. However, be careful, this type of change must be temporary at the risk of unbalancing your team and think about working on it during training sessions with complete drills.

The 3-5-2 in soccer: the weaknesses

When you implement a 3-5-2 tactical system, you'll necessarily ask more of your wide players. They'll need to contribute offensively, obviously, but also be vigilant from a defensive point of view. This pressure that will be inflicted on them is one of the disadvantages of the 3-5-2 formation. We advise you to have solid wide players from a physical point of view to be able to handle a large volume of running.

Finally, the other weakness of the 3-5-2 playing system is the risk it creates when you face a team playing in a 4-3-3 formation. Since they'll have 3 players with an attacking role, they'll put pressure on your 3-man defense and this risks creating space and important gaps behind your wide players. To avoid.

What training drills to use to work on the 3-5-2?

The first drill we propose is a technical workshop on information gathering, control, and passes in groups of 3. It's a very simple drill that allows working on information gathering thanks to a color game.

Information gathering, control, and passes in groups of 3

Delimit 2 lines of cones with a distance of approximately 15m between each line. The cones will be spaced about 5m apart. Then define work groups of 3 players and place one player at each cone, then one player in the center. Finally, give 2 colored cones (different) to each player positioned on the ends.

The technical workshop will proceed in this manner:

1. The 1st player (A) makes a short pass to the player in the center (B). During this time, the 3rd player (C) will raise one of the 2 colored cones they have in hand.
2. B will need to gather information (very important for your midfielders in a 3-5-2 system) and announce out loud the color before controlling, turning around, and making a pass to the 3rd player.
3. The drill continues in the same manner on the opposite side.

Go to the complete sheet of the drill to have more details on the evolutions and possible variations.

The second training drill we propose is a 3v3 drill with 4 support players and a central player. It will allow you notably to work on combinations in tight spaces.

3v3 with 4 support players and a central player

Define a 20x20m square using 4 cones then form 2 teams of 3 players and a team of 4 players. Ask players to distribute themselves on each side then place one player from each team in the center of the zone. Finally, place the 4 players from the last team at each of the corners of the playing zone.

Here's the detail of this drill that will allow you to work indirectly on the tactical system of the 3-5-2:

1. The teams of 3 players must stay in possession of the ball as long as possible but they only score a point when the central player touches the ball.
2. Players in corners serve as support for the team in offensive position.
3. Limited to one touch of the ball: support players as well as corner players.

Once again, head to the complete sheet if you want to know more about the possible variations of this drill applicable to working on the 3-5-2.

Conclusion on the 3-5-2 formation

The tactical system in 3-5-2 has been used (and is still used) in certain professional clubs and as you've seen, it requires taking into consideration certain important notions to not derail and create spaces too important for the opponent.

Well mastered, it can prove very effective but you'll need to have the right squad. Don't forget that whatever formation you want to use, it must fit into your playing philosophy and must be in agreement with the qualities and weaknesses of your squad. Use these tips and take pleasure in sharing your playing philosophy and your vision of soccer with your players. Good coaching!

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