By Matthew Carroll
The 343 is a more attack minded version of the 5-4-1 and can be taught with the concept of just moving every outside player up one line, in fact in the low block the formation should essentially become a 5-4-1. The system you run will ultimately decide on how your 3-4-3 will work, but with the high level of forward players the formation does lend itself to a flexibility of position leading to interchange. It is also ideal for pressing situations with the forward players being able to cut off passing lanes to the backs and forcing long balls to the midfield, where the four midfielders, if they win, will be attacking with six other players in front of them.
The 9-Central Striker
● Offensively: Play as target man to allow wider 9s and midfield to push forward. Stay central unless interchanging position with the other 9s or the 8.
● Defensively:Press one of the Two CBs during opposition buildup, stay high to maintain depth in transition.
The 9s- Inside Forwards
● Offensively: Drop in behind central 9 to become 10 or make a diagonal run while central 9 holds ball up or find ways to match up with outside back 1v1 with the winger overlapping/underlapping to create a 2v1 situation.
● Defensively: Cover for the central striker and then press the ball if it goes out wide or to the opposite center back the central stiker pressed. Drop deep into the winger position if ball enters own defensive third
The 11 and 7- The Wingers
● Offensively: Provide width in attack, outside of the inside forwards, and sit deeper than normal wingers until the inside forwards move towards the box. Once they do, and the ball is in a forward position, move forward to fill that space. Look to overlap/underlap the inside forwards when they are on the ball.
● Defensively: When the ball is in the team’s own final third look to play as a wingback dropping into the back line. Work with the outside centre backs to determine defensive mark based on opposition’s formation (i.e. number of strikers will determine if 11/7 pick up opposition wingbacks or wingers).
The 8- Central Midfielder
● Offensively: Play staggered with the 6. Look to be the pivot player between wingers and inside forwards. Look to overlap or interchange positions with the central striker or hold up play and allow the 6 to interchange positions and become the 8.
● Defensively: Cover for the central stiker during the press looking to win the second ball after the centre back plays it to the midfield. Can be more aggressive with the press than the 6 so should take more calculated risks when pressuring the opposition 6. Ideal situation is to force opposition 6 negative so they have to play back into the centre backs.who then are pressed by the forwards.
The 6- Defensive Midfielder
● Offensively: Play staggered with the 8. Look to be the deep pivot player between wingers and inside forwards. Look to overlap or interchange positions with the 8or hold up play and allow the 5 to interchange positions and become the 6.
● Defensively: Cover for the 8 during the press looking to win the second ball after the centre back plays it to the midfield. Be more conservative with the press than the 8 and should look to delay any efforts by the opposition to counter quickly.
The 3 and 2- Outside Centre Backs
● Offensively: Look to play inside of the 11 and 7, unless there is the possibility of an overlap situation. Should only go forward if the 6 is in position to drop in and cover.
● Defensively: Who the outside centre backs pick up will depend on the oppositions formation. One striker means they will have be able to pick up opposition wingers, two they may have to provide cover for the 5 or pick up one of the strikers, and with three forwards each centre back will have a striker with the 6 sitting deeper.
The 5- Centre Back
● Offensively: This will be dependent on style of play but the 5 should predominantly look to receive from the keeper during build up, and if possible interchange with the 6 to go forward
● Defensively: Communication from the 5 is incredibly key to the three back system because the whole back line will constantly need to shift to cover overloads in wide areas or adjust to system changes from the opposition to decide the role of the centre backs. The 5 will also need to dictate the depth of the 6, instructing them when to sit deep and when they can move forward to move with the 8. The 5 will also be in charge of the opposition striker that is furthest forward
By Matthew Carroll
