Tactical: 4-3-3 formation - Soccer Exercises # extra

The 4-3-3 formation has been the go-to choice for top teams over the past decade, and for good reason. It offers numerous benefits both in attack and defense while minimizing weaknesses. But what are the specific roles of the players in this formation, and what are its strengths and weaknesses? Let’s explore. In Possession: The 4-3-3 is particularly favored by possession-oriented teams because it creates triangles across the pitch. These triangles and diamonds are excellent for ball retention, as the player in possession always has at least two passing options. While some fullbacks can be adventurous, they usually stay in position when in possession, playing short or long passes from deep. Midfield Strength: The midfield trio is a major asset of this formation, providing versatility and strength. Typically, this formation ensures at least an even match in midfield or an advantage over a two-man midfield. In a strict 4-3-3, a single pivot can be employed with various roles. The deepest midfielder, often a less skillful player on the ball, acts primarily as a defensive shield, covering space in front of the defenders. In such cases, the more advanced midfielders take on playmaking duties, with the pivot focusing on short passes to them. In many possession-based teams, the single pivot is the team’s hub, excelling at receiving and progressing the ball, allowing their midfield partners to push higher and be more creative. Attacking Midfield Options: To counter the defensive midfielder’s influence, opposition teams might assign a player to mark him, limiting early supply. This scenario often leads to a variation of the 4-3-3, the 4-2-3-1, where a double pivot is used with a dedicated attacking midfielder. The double pivot ensures at least one free player to receive and progress the ball, while the attacking midfielder can skillfully connect with forwards. However, this setup can sometimes leave the attacking midfielder isolated from the rest of the team, creating potential overloads in midfield. Wide Play: The 4-3-3 is strong on the flanks, with wingers creating 2v2 situations or even overloads. Fullbacks usually overlap outside the wingers, creating 2v1 scenarios against opposing fullbacks. A disadvantage is having only one striker, which can lead to isolation and difficulty in holding up the ball. To mitigate this, wingers often cut inside to become additional goal threats, as seen in recent Klopp teams. Alternatively, fullbacks may invert into midfield, allowing wingers to stay wide and midfielders to push high up the pitch as goal threats. Pressing and Defense: The formation is effective in pressing, with the forward cutting off passing lanes between center backs and high midfielders covering opponents’ pivots. However, it has mixed results in a mid-block. The lone forward can be overloaded by center backs, who may drive forward to draw in a midfielder and create an overload. The formation relies heavily on disciplined wingers tracking back; if they do, the team can form a solid 4-5-1 defensive shape, keeping the midfield compact. A dedicated screener is also effective at picking up loose balls. These are some reasons why the 4-3-3 has become so popular. However, this is just the starting formation, offering a flexible and dynamic approach to modern football. We create the Tactical: 4-3-3 formation in a 2D and 3D animation to make the soccer exercise as clear as possible. In this way, everyone can perform the Tactical: 4-3-3 formation. Have fun watching and training with our Tactical: 4-3-3 formation with 2D and 3D animation, and don’t forget to like this video. -- Subscribe for FREE: And watch weekly great new soccerexercises on our channel. Visit also our Social media and website: Website: Facebook: Instagram: Twitter: #soccerexercises #soccertraining #footballtraining #football #soccer #voetbal #voetbaltraining #voetbaloefening #footballexercises #footballdrills #soccerdrills #voetbaloefeningen #footballskills #soccerskills