Football/Soccer Session (Moderate): 4-3-3 Positioning

Fitness 1 (10 mins)

You are to run 30 yards then run back to the start, then 20 yards then back to the start and then 10 yards and back to the start without stopping. You are to do 5 sets with a 1 minute break in between each set.

1. Lunges

2. Crunches

3. Pushups

 Can include- Plank, tuck jumps, burpees, hip thrusts, bicycle crunches

4-3-3 Positional Rondo (15 mins)

5V5+5

40x35 yard grid

• 2 teams compete to maintain possession using the neutrals (yellows) to combine with when in possession. Plenty of footballs should be available to be passed in by a coach to make play continuous. If the defending team (blue) wins/intercepts the football from the outside players, they must switch positions (transition) going from their compact defending shape to an expansive attacking shape.

• Possession passing targets can be set (i.e. 8 consecutive passes). Or count the number of times the ball is passed from a CB through to the CF without the defending team intercepting the football.
• Outside attacking players cannot pass to each other on the same side.
• 2 touch on the attacking (outside positions).
• 1 touch on the attacking (outside positions).
• Modify to have 2 attacking central players.

• Quick transitions. Attacking transition and defending transition.
• Movement to create supporting angles.
• Pressing (Cutting off passing lanes, immediate pressure on the ball carrier).
• Make play predictable (showing inside/outside).
• Speed of thought (thinking a pass ahead)
• Scanning play to see options.
• Limited touches and quick ball rotation.

Overlap (10 mins)

2 teams of 5v5 play against each other with 1 neutral making it 6v5 in the middle for the team in possession. And 2 N on the outside.

5 passes then play into the Target Forward or the wide Neutral player. One player must get around the wide N player. 3 players break into the final third and the overlapping player must pick out an attackert for a shot on goal.

Progression - 3 passes.

Coaching Points;

Ball goes wide - overlap #s in the attack. Players getting around, inter changeable movement of positions.

After finishing track back to defend.

Need a player going going front post, one back post, one centrally, one top of the box. Crosser has to pick out a player avoid the defender.

Screen 7

https://www.sportsessionplanner.com/s/k2CL/4-3-3-System.html?interface=en#:~:text=4%3A3%3A3%20in%20A....

4-3-3

Defensive 4-5-1

Offensive 4-2-4

DEFENSE

Pressure before team can step and compress space

Pressure & immediate cover.

Covering players responsible for space to eliminate dribble penetration. 

Numbers up around ball everywhere on field. 

Space cannot exist between lines or pressuring players and rest of team.

When ball moves backward team steps and compresses space - own clearances and backpasses. 

We step to recover space and eliminate opposition time. 

Back 4

Zonal defending

2 CBs always staggered since no outside mids.

Allows outside backs to step into wide spaces to defend.

Inside box man to man marking

Mid 3

Zonal marking

More aggressive & attack ball on defense.

Work rate of these 3 determines whether system works.

Middle vertical 3rd.

If we stretch too far wide, we'll get beat in the middle.

In attacking & middle 3rd this group must force ball to middle, numbers up most of time. 

Turnovers in the middle create immediate counter-attacks.

1 player in hole in front of CBs

Deny counters in middle & protect CBs - prevent balls into 9s feet.

ATTACK

width comes from front 3 and outside backs

triangle middle will penetrate middle, distribute wide, and prevent counters

wing backs advance to help buildup and penetration

quick play in midfield forward or wide

CROSSES

CAM - late runs into the box on crosses, 8/6 seal space behind ball

9 always makes near post run on crosses

Weak side winger far post runs

Deeper players fill all other gaps

AFTER WINNING

1st option play one of forwards- ball into space or ball to feet

FRONT 3 - WIDE

Strong side winger as wide as possible

9 stretch as high as possible

weak side winger pinches in 15-20 yards - threat behind d & look to give 9 combo

FRONT 3- CENTRAL

All forwards as high as possible, wingers back to sideline wide as possible.

Drop into space or diagonal to get in behind

RUN OPTIONS

At least one checking back either ball side winger or 9 or BOTH. 

CAM run in past 9

Most dangerous runs are behind the defense so 1 run always looks to attack this space

WINGER RECEIVES WIDE

attack defender at speed when possible.

Combine with 9 or play through behind D

In attacking 3rd back yourself to beat defender 1v1