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The 4-3-3 Guide:

4-3-3 Guide Table of Contents: 1. Introduction

2. Defense
Click here for Intro. Click here for Defense Click here for Attack Click here for Misc.

3. Attack

4. Miscellaneous

Throughout the Guide click the H to return to the Table of Contents.

Throughout the Guide click the R to return to the start of the current section.

Introduction:
1. Formation
2. Benefits 3. Requirements 4. Countries
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5. Pro Teams

Formation:
#11 Left Wing #9 Center Forward #10 Attacking Mid #4 Defensive Mid #3 Left Wing Back #8 Defensive Mid #2 Right Wing Back #7 Right Wing

#5 Center Back

#6 Center Back

#1 GK

Benefits:
1. Natural triangles all over the field 2. Develops young players better 3. Trains 3 forwards instead of two 4. Trains 3 central midfielders instead of two

5. Trains 4 flank players

6. Versatile 7. Forces opponents to adjust to us

8. Intimidation

Individual Skills Required:

Click on a position to find out positional requirements:
#9 Center Forward #10 Attacking Mid #4 Defensive Mid #3 Left Wing Back #8 Defensive Mid #2 Right Wing Back #6 Center Back

#11 Left Wing

#7 Right Wing

#5 Center Back

#1 GK

Individual Skills: # 11 Left Wing

1. Skilled Crosser 2. Skilled Finisher

3. Speed
4. Skilled 1 v 1 attacker

5. Very fit

Individual Skills:
# 9 Center Forward

1. Skilled Finisher 2. Can create space for other attackers 3. Ability to hold ball and play backward 4. Make speedy penetrating runs

Individual Skills: # 7 Right Wing

1. Skilled Crosser 2.Skilled Finisher 3. Speed

4. Skilled 1 v 1 attacker
5. Very fit

Individual Skills:
#10 Attacking Midfielder

1. Skilled passer
2.Exceptional vision

3. Excellent work rate can play box to box 4. Skilled finisher from distances; can play like a withdrawn forward

Individual Skills:
#8 Defensive Midfielder

1. Skilled passer
2. Great work rate/Fit

3. Can make penetrating runs forward

4. Can also be a ball winner

5. Swing Man

Individual Skills:
# 4 Defensive Midfielder

1. Great ball winner protector of center backs

2. Skilled at short and long passes to change point of attack 3. Brave

4. Extremely fit

Individual Skills:
#3 Left & #2 Right Wing Backs

1. Skilled crosser 2. Skilled 1 v 1 defender

3. Speed
4. Exceptionally Fit

5. Comfortable running forward with the ball

Individual Skills:
# 5 & # 6 Center Backs

1. Brave 2. Skilled 1 v 1 defender

3. Good organizer
4. Skilled header

5. Good decision maker

Individual Skills: # 1 Goalie

1. Skilled communicator and organizer

2. Able to play as sweeper/play with feet

3. Skilled distributor

Countries that have used the 4-3-3:

1. Holland

2. Greece (2004 Euro Champs)

3. Brazil (1962 World Cup Champs)

Prom teams that have used the 4-3-3: 1.Ajax

2.Chelsea

3.Barcelona
4. Juventus

5. Olympic Lyon

Defense: Key Points

1. Immediate pressure on ball all over field/deny time and space 2. Deny switching of ball from one side of the pitch to the other 3. Keep compact - both North/South and East/ West on pitch 4. Leave weak side open

Individual:
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Group:
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Team:
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Defense: Individual Duties

Click on a position to find out positional requirements:
#9 Center Forward #10 Attacking Mid #4 Defensive Mid #3 Left Wing Back #8 Defensive Mid #2 Right Wing Back #6 Center Back

#11 Left Wing

#7 Right Wing

#5 Center Back

#1 GK

Defensive Duties:

# 11 Left Wing
Ball on your side in front of you: Pressure ball to outside in all areas of the field Ball on your side behind you: Drop back to double team outside midfielder; rush his pass; cut off back options Ball on opposite side in front of you: Pinch in slightly to middle of field Ball on opposite side behind you: Stay high for counterattack

Defensive Duties:
# 9 Center Forward
Ball in front of you wide:
Cut off back passes to keeper /center back Ball in front centrally:

Force ball wide

Ball behind you wide or central: Stay high for outlet/counterattack; cut off supporting options/back passes

Defensive Duties:

# 7 Right Wing
Ball on your side in front of you: Pressure ball to outside in all areas of the field Ball on your side behind you: Drop back to double team outside midfielder; rush his pass; cut off back options Ball on opposite side in front of you: Pinch in slightly to middle of field Ball on opposite side behind you: Stay high for counterattack

Defensive Duties:
#10 Attacking Midfielder

1. Create/hold defensive triangle with #4 & #8 2. Stay centrally on the pitch 3. Force ball wide 4. Do not allow switching of the ball 5. May need to temporarily change positions within triangle

Defensive Duties:
#8 Defensive Midfielder
1. Create/hold defensive triangle with #10 & #4 2. Stay centrally on the pitch 3. Force ball wide 4. Do not allow switching of the ball 5. May need to temporarily change positions within triangle and become the midfielder in the hole

Defensive Duties:
# 4 Defensive Midfielder
1. Deny passes into center backs; stay in front of them 2 . Create/hold defensive triangle with #10 & #8 3. Stay centrally on the pitch 4. Force ball wide 5. Do not allow switching of the ball

Defensive Duties:
# 3 Left Wing Back
Ball on your side:
Step up to wide and apply immediate pressure to opposing midfielder Always pressure opponent outside Ball on opposite side: Pinch in to middle of field Be the last man/balancing defender Call for defense to step up & play offsides when necessary

Defensive Duties:

# 5 Center Back
Ball in center of field: Step up and be the 1st defender Or

Be 2nd defender and offer cover to other CB

Ball on the flank: Shift and support - be covering/2nd defender no more than 10 yards away from outside back

Defensive Duties:

# 6 Center Back
Ball in center of field: Step up and be the 1st defender Or

Be 2nd defender and offer cover to other CB

Ball on the flank: Shift and support - be covering/2nd defender no more than 10 yards away from outside back

Defensive Duties:
# 2 Right Wing Back
Ball on your side: Step up to wide and apply immediate pressure to opposing midfielder Always pressure opponent outside Ball on opposite side: Pinch in to middle of field Be the last man/balancing defender Call for defense to step up & play offsides when necessary

Defensive Duties:

# 1 Goalie
1. Organize back four see danger before it happens 2. Play well with feet be 5th defender 3. Know when to call for back pass 4. Catch/punch crossed balls 5. Stop shots/minimize rebounds 6. Dominate the penalty area be confident, in control, and physical

Defense: Group Duties 1. Back Four

2. Midfield Three 3. Front Three
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Back Four: Key Points

1. The back four must shift and remain connected at all times to offer cover for one another/never be flat! 2. Always pressure to the outside 3. Make good decisions: When to tackle to try and win the ball OR When to apply pressure and just delay

To See Diagram: CLICK

Back Four: Diagram

Press the Right Key three times to see the ball move and how the back four needs to move.

LWB CB CB

RWB

Back Four: Diagram

CB
LWB CB RWB

Back Four: Diagram

CB LWB CB RWB

Back Four: Diagram

Press the Left Key three times to see the ball move and how the back four needs to move.

RWB
LWB CB CB

Midfield Three: Key Points

1. Stay central on the field dont get pulled out too wide beyond 18 2. Form a defensive triangle with the point nearest the ball 3. Keep the ball on one side of the field no switching! 4. Switch positions in triangle as necessary but always maintain shape

To See Diagram: CLICK

Midfield Three: Diagram

Press the Right Key three times to see the ball move and how the midfield three needs to move.

AM DM

DM LWB

CB

RWB CB

Midfield Three: Diagram

AM DM DM

CB LWB CB RWB

Midfield Three: Diagram

AM

DM DM RWB LWB CB CB

Midfield Three: Diagram

Press the Left Key three times to see the ball move and how the midfield three needs to move.

DM
AM RWB DM LWB CB

CB

Front Three: Key Points

Ball in front: Apply pressure in their half of the field when possible Always pressure to outside Ball behind: 1. Recover and defend when ball is on your side/cut off back passes 2. CF stay high as outlet

To See Diagram: CLICK

Front Three: Diagram

Press the Right Key three times to see the ball move and how the front three needs to move.

CF RW LW AM DM DM LWB

CB

RWB CB

Front Three: Diagram

CF RW LW

AM
DM DM LWB CB CB RWB

Front Three: Diagram

CF LW

AM
DM DM LWB CB

RW

RWB

CB

Midfield Three: Diagram

Press the Left Key three times to see the ball move and how the midfield three needs to move.

CF LW

AM
DM DM LWB CB

RW

RWB

CB

TEAM: Diagram
Press the Right Key three times to see the ball move and how the TEAM needs to move.

LW

CF
RW

DM

AM DM

LWB

CB

RWB

CB

TEAM: Diagram

CF LW AM DM DM LWB CB
RWB RW

CB

TEAM: Diagram
Press the Left Key three times to see the ball move and how the TEAM needs to move.

LW

CF AM DM DM

RW

LWB CB CB

RWB

Offense: Key Points

1. Play in the other teams half as much as possible

To See Typical Movement Diagram:

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2. Stay compact as a team - move up together!

3. When we have the ball, every player should look to get involved with attack. Make runs off the ball!

Individual:
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Group:
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Team:
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Typical Movement Patterns:

#9

#11 #10

#7

#4

#8

#3 #5 #6

#2

Offense: Individual Duties

Click on a position to find out positional requirements:
#9 Center Forward #10 Attacking Mid #4 Defensive Mid #3 Left Wing Back #8 Defensive Mid #2 Right Wing Back #6 Center Back

#11 Left Wing

#7 Right Wing

#5 Center Back

#1 GK

Offensive Duties:

# 11 Left Wing
1. When 1 v1 in attacking half, you must take the defender on. Shoot, cross or get a corner!
2. Check back to the ball on your side. 3. When the ball is central, stay as wide and as high as possible. Spread the field wide. 4. Pinch to the middle with ball on the opposite side. 5. Make diagonal runs behind the defense.

Offensive Duties:
# 9 Center Forward
1. Stay as high as possible. You are the #1 target!
2. Look to finish crosses form wingers and through ball from midfielders. 3. When the ball is central, check back to the ball. 4. When the ball is on the wing, look to make runs behind the defense.

5. Be strong in the air. Win the ball!

Offensive Duties:

# 7 Right Wing
1. When 1 v1 in attacking half, you must take the defender on. Shoot, cross or get a corner! 2. Check back to the ball on your side. 3. When the ball is central, stay as wide and as high as possible. Spread the field wide. 4. Pinch to the middle with ball on the opposite side. 5. Make diagonal runs behind the defense.

Offensive Duties: #10

Attacking Midfielder
1. Support the center forward. 2. Make runs off of the forwards; exploit the spaces between them. 3. Shoot from distance. 4. Get on the penalty spot for crosses. 5. Always find the ball!

Offensive Duties: #8
Defensive Midfielder
1. Provide a link between defenders and forwards by possessing the ball.
2. Rotate with attacking midfielder to make runs and offer support from deep in the middle of the field. 3. Shoot from distance. 4. Change the point of attack with driven long balls to wingers.

Offensive Duties: # 4 Defensive Midfielder

1. Provide a link between defenders and forwards by possessing the ball.
2. Rotate with attacking midfielder to make runs and offer support from deep in the middle of the field. 3. Shoot from distance. 4. Change the point of attack with driven long balls to wingers.

Offensive Duties:
# 3 Left Wing Back
1. Get forward by recognizing space and 2 v1s.
2. Provide quality crosses. 3. Offer an option when the ball is switched. 4. Dont just sit back. Get involved in the attack!

Offensive Duties:

# 5 Center Back
1. Look to play one of the midfielders in order to link up with forwards. 2. Be prepared to play long balls to wingers if under pressure or short passes are not an option. 3. Look to fill one of the defensive midfield positions if the triangle has broken down.

Offensive Duties:

# 6 Center Back
1. Look to play one of the midfielders in order to link up with forwards.
2. Be prepared to play long balls to wingers if under pressure or short passes are not an option. 3. Look to fill one of the defensive midfield positions if the triangle has broken down.

Offensive Duties:
# 2 Right Wing Back
1. Get forward by recognizing space and 2 v1s.
2. Provide quality crosses. 3. Offer an option when the ball is switched. 4. Dont just sit back. Get involved in the attack!

Offensive Duties:

# 1 Goalie
1. Be ready to play the ball with (both) your feet. Be the fifth defender!
2. Stay connected to team be alert at the top of box when the ball is in the other half. 3. Look to play to outside backs, wingers, or center forward if possible.

Offense: Group Duties 1. Back Four

2. Midfield Three 3. Front Three
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Back Four: Key Points

1. Outside backs look to get forward by overlapping and recognizing space and 2 v1s. 2. Center backs stay connected to defensive midfielders; look to deliver long balls to wings. 3. Have a positive attitude to recognize that the entire team is attacking!

Midfield Three: Key Points

1. Stay in center of field from 18 to 18. 2. Switch (rotate) positions with each other so you are more difficult to mark. 3. Support forwards by passing and moving. 4. Look to exploit spaces between forwards 5. Shoot from distance if necessary.

Front Three: Key Points

1. Stay as high and as wide as possible (when the ball is central) 2. Recognize 1v1s and take people on. 3. Shoot the ball from distance.

4. Provide quality crosses into the penalty area.

5. Make quality runs behind the defense. Ball on Left:

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To See Diagram:

Ball Central: Ball on Right:

Forward Three: Movements

LW CF RW

Ball on Left:

Press the Right Key three times to see the ball move and how the front three needs to move.

Forward Three: Movements

LW CF RW

Ball on Left:

LW

= Stretches the field

Forward Three: Movements

CF LW

Ball on Left:

RW

CF

= Pushes up the field

Forward Three: Movements

CF LW RW

Ball on Left:

RW

= Pinches in 15-25 yards

Forward Three: Movements

LW CF RW

Ball Central:

Press the Right Key three times to see the ball move and how the front three needs to move.

Forward Three: Movements

LW CF RW

Ball Central:

LW

= Pushes wide and up the field

Forward Three: Movements

CF LW

Ball Central:

RW

CF

= Pushes up the field

Forward Three: Movements

CF LW RW

Ball Central:

RW

= Pushes wide and up the field

Forward Three: Movements

LW CF RW

Ball on Right:

Press the Right Key three times to see the ball move and how the front three needs to move.

Forward Three: Movements

LW CF RW

Ball on Right:

RW

= Stretches the field

Forward Three: Movements

CF LW RW

Ball on Right:

CF

= Pushes up the field

Forward Three: Movements

CF LW RW

Ball on Right:

LW

= Pinches in 15-25 yards

TEAM: Key Points

1. Play the game in the oppositions half when possible. 2. Win the ball back as soon as possible with pressure. (Force the ball to the outside all over the field)

3. Use the midfielders to link with the forwards when possible; if not, use longs balls to the forwards.
4. Stay aggressive - stick together!

Miscellaneous:
1. Quotes
3. Clips 4. Soccer Websites
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2. HHS Boys Soccer Records CLICK

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