The back player, the quarterback…

In 3v3 soccer, the back player should be one of your better players because that position is the quarterback of the team. He sees the field and should be directing the players and breaking down the opponents with his brain and passing. I see many regular teams place a person directly in front of the goal just to stand there and stop goals, but against a good team that rarely works as you're setting up your team to play defensive. To break down a team efficiently, you need that third player. Now, don't misunderstand me. If the ball is on the half we are defending, then having the person backed up to the box or circle is fine, especially if the team can make long shots, but when the ball is on the attacking side, where the other team cannot score anyway, then your back player should be involved. Also, it helps if the back player is fast so if there is a break away, he can get to the ball before the other team. Often, when teams get really frustrated with us, as soon as their player crosses the midline they will take a shot hoping it will go in. That is why on an opponents fast break, the back player should attack to the ball and not run backwards. Also, when the back player charges, make sure they time their charge so that they get to the ball when it is separated from the opponent. If the ball is touching the opponent, then the back player contains, waiting for the separation between ball and player before moving in. But again, the back player usually has an advantage in that the ball is coming toward them, so if they can get to the ball first, before the opponents, that is the priority. As I tell my players, they can't take the shot if they don't have the ball; but if you give ground, you're letting them take a shot. Your back player has to trust that his forwards will come back to help. By rushing toward the ball, it slows your opponent's fast break, allowing your forwards to come back.