WORLD CLASS COACHING
4-3-3 Defending
By Luca Bertolini
Table of Contents
PART THREE
Players/Positions Roles and Responsibilities
Players/Positions Roles and Responsibilities
Goalkeeper:
• Direct the defense line while the team is attacking
• Direct the defense positioning of the team when is defending inside the first third
• Awareness to support the team when it's positioned high on the field
• Positioning inside the box and to cover the goal
Fullbacks:
• Correct zonal positioning, making the field small, pushing inside and covering the spaces in a 4 back line or in a preventive 3 back line while the team is attacking
• Man on man marking skills, both pushing up, tracking the opponent and retreating back
• Positioning to intercept passes and to block crosses
Center backs
• Correct zonal positioning, making the field small, pushing inside and covering the spaces in a 4 back line or in a preventive 3 back line, while the team is attacking, together with the center midfielder
• Man on man marking skills, both pushing up, tracking the opponent and retreating back
• Cover each other (diagonal covering)
• Able to decide:
A. Run up to mark the opponent or provide coverage while the team is attacking
B. Move to anticipate the opponents or to intercept passes when the opposition wins the ball
C. Stay positioned inside the assigned pitch area
Center midfielder (lower pivot):
• Always positioned ‘behind the ball’
• Closure of gaps that may be created due to attacking shapes and developments
• Covers the centre spaces of midfield area, always providing balance, substituting a center back, in case he is out of position or he has shifted wider to close a space
• Prevent the opposition midfielders from moving into the final third
• Replace the positions of the center back, fullbacks or other teammates when they are out of defensive positions
• Screen the paths to the opposition strikers and the passing lanes toward them
Advanced midfielder(s):
• Direct the opposition building up phase toward the flanks or force long ball
• Support the pressure phase throughout the final third
• Close passing lanes from the opposition defense lines to the midfield
• Retreat back to support the defense phase in the middle third
• Help the creation of numerical advantage around the ball
• Prevent the opposition defenders from moving into the midfield
Outside midfielders:
• Connected with center midfielder to shape a ‘block’ or a "line" in the midfield
• Direct the opposition building up phase and possession phase toward the flanks or force long ball
• Close passing lanes from the opposition defense lines to the midfield
• Support the pressure phase throughout the middle third
• Cover the outer midfield areas
• Retreat back to support the defense phase in the middle third
• Help the creation of numerical advantage around the ball
Wingers:
• Support the pressure phase and force the opposition building up phase out or a long pass
• Delay the opposition building up phase when outnumbered
• Close passing lanes from the opposition defense lines to the center area of the midfield
• Retreat position to track the opposition fullbacks and to help the defending fullbacks
Forward:
• First pressing player against opposition defenders and moreover against the center backs, starting the team pressure phase
• Direct the opposition building up phase toward a precise field area, pressing one specific opponent or force goalkeeper long kicks
• Double the teammates (wingers) pressing actions to create 2 v 1 duels against the opposition ball carrier
