HOME Football Answers Football COACHING Q&A

4-3-3 and U23s - basic coaching methodology

I'm coaching a u23 development squad and due to the nature of them bringing eligibility rules this year, we have a squad of variable quality. Any tips/drill/s plans around effectively coaching 433 would be awesome.

Daniel RockCoach, New Zealand

1 answer

ANSWERS

Tom BeanCoach, England

Hi Daniel,

Playing a 4-3-3 gives you great opportunities to attack with numbers but equally keep defensive structure for when they break. Have a deeper lying midfielder who plays as a center-half to act as a pivot to transfer the ball through but equally to break down play if a counter attack is on for the opposition.

These days, the full-backs have a major role in attacking. For example, when the right full-back advances up the field, it`s important for the left full-back to swing round into the defence to almost make a back three and offer some cover in case the ball is turned over up the field.

With one of the full-backs supporting the attacks on the wing, it gives attackers the freedom to get bodies in the box, rather than solely staying wide to play as an out and out winger.

This also gives the higher midfielders the freedom to go through into the box to get opportunities to score. However, maintaining the defensive structure when you do attack is vital to not getting caught out.

I hope this helps and you have fun with playing around with different plays!