We've recently released the third edition of our books on Coaching Team Shape. The first one covered the 3-3-1 for playing small-sided games. The second in the series looks at the 4-2-3-1. This edition focuses on the 4-3-3 formation.
Coaching Team Shape in the 4-3-3 shows you how to give players the positional discipline they may be lacking with grid based training. Not only do grids force players to maintain team shape, but it also helps to improve their decision making, passing angles and gives them a deeper understanding of how to move the ball quickly up the pitch.
This excerpt of the book covers the movements of the central midfielders and striker.
Central Midfielders & Central Striker
The reason we will look at the central striker and the central midfield together is that the striker takes their position from the movement of the midfield. They should work by moving in a rotation to create angles for each other and cause headaches for the opposition. We will look at their movement depending on which area of the field the ball is in.
When the Defensive Midfielder has Possession Deep:
The most important factor for the 3 midfielders and CST is to work together and be a successful unit by rotating to constantly make diamonds with their movement and positioning. This gives passing options at different angles and depths to penetrate the opposition’s lines. The CST takes their position off the CM’s.
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When either CM drops they need to turn their body, so they can see the other 3 players, with a swivel of the head, involved in creating the diamond. Therefore if they receive the ball they should be able to pass forwards at different angles as well as backwards. As it is easier to move without the ball, it is therefore the player’s, not in possession, responsibility to move into positions to be an option to move the ball forward.
Coaching Points:
- As the ball is travelling to the DM, as before, a CM drops in and the opposite FB goes forward.
- Now, at the same time, the opposite CM moves slightly higher and the striker moves across.
- All 3 players rotate in a clockwise motion, this movement gives the DM varied options to pass forward to penetrate the opposition’s lines.
- Mention that the players must use their awareness to move into positions to make them available when you introduce pressure. Such as moving wider or narrower depending on the opposition’s positioning.
Here is an example of the striker moving wider to be an option, due to a defender in front of them blocking their path, after the CM receives off the DM. The opposite CM moves narrower to be able to receive the ball between defenders. These options should look to be played before others, but if the players can’t move the ball forwards quickly enough there is also the option of the FB.
This is just a short section from Coaching Team Shape in the 4-3-3. The book covers how to train the movements of each player and how they relate to each other. The 'Grid System' is also explained in detail so that you fully understand how to use this layout to train your players to keep their shape and stay connected.
Have a great day!
Tom
