4-3-3 SYSTEM OF PLAY

TEAM DEFENDING
If a mistake is made on attack an opportunity is lost. If a mistake is made on defense a game may be lost.
Therefore it is critical solid defense will be a key to our success. In order to understand team defending,
meaning all players are working together to defend, we need to remember the ABCs of defending.
A)

B)

C)
D)

E)
F)

ATTACK the ball.

The first step is to always apply immediate pressure by attacking the

opponent with the ball. This does not mean diving in swinging, and maybe missing, the ball and
getting beat, but rather attacking the dangerous space, preventing the opponent from dribbling,
passing, or shooting towards goal.
BALANCE off the ball. The defense must move as one, providing support and coverage for
one another. The primary item thing to remember here is to have a good shape, often resembling
a checkmark (). Diagrams following this section will illustrate this point. The main principle
here is to NOT ball watch; cover dangerous space and keep an eye on your mark while adjusting.
COMPACT in the center of the field. When we shut down the center of the field and have no
gaps between us it is very difficult for opponents to penetrate and attack the dangerous space.
DELAY the attack. We dont always have to immediately win the ball. After attacking the
space to keep opponents from moving forward sometimes it is best to stall their progress and wait
for our team to get into defensive shape. When we have an attack delayed in a one-on-one
situation another team member should move in as a second defender to attack the ball.
EACH PLAYER MARKED Every defender should know where every attacking player
is at all times. The primary thing to make this happen is constant communication.
FALL BACK Every player is a defender when the opposition has the ball. If you are
winded after attack first sprint back to goal-side of opposition to rest; dont let attackers win the
ball in front of you. When one defender steps up to play the ball other defenders should not
remain square, but immediately drop to support. This is also known as DEPTH in the defense.

2nd defender supports

Diagrams adapted from Bruce Brown Lee Soccer

Rufner
Created on 12/18/06 11:43 AM

4-3-3 SYSTEM OF PLAY

ATTACKING PRINCIPLES
To make all components of the attack work we need know what to do depending on where in the field we
are. Though every situation will require different needs, it is helpful to think of the field in three parts.
DEFENSIVE THIRD (from our goal to about 20 yards beyond the penalty box)
When we have the ball in our defensive end the main focus is DISTRIBUTION. Remembering that
defensive mistakes lose games we want to get the ball out of the back quickly. We want to avoid one-onone dribbling out of the back, avoid passes to the center of the field, and avoid passing more than once or
twice before playing the ball out. When played out we want to distribute accurately to our team; not just
kick the ball as far as we can. We want to distribute to our forwards in the target zone. This zone will
be right at the midline and about 5 yards to 15 yards from the outside touch line on the same side the ball
is being played from. In order to make this work forwards need to be constantly moving, as a pair, to the
side of play the ball is on so they can receive the outlet passes from the back.
CENTRAL THIRD (about 20 yards on both sides of the midline)
In this third we want to focus on PENETRATION. Now we want to move the ball around until we can
find to penetrate their defense, most often with through balls, balls to corners, switching the side of attack,
or runs down the line. It is important in this area that our person with the ball has support, which means
we need to think about running to our players rather than away from. By creating small triangles to drop
a ball to, play a square ball, or make overlapping runs we will open up passing lanes to send the ball down
the field to forwards making smart runs to space or far-side midfielders looking for an open switch. We
want to avoid playing down the middle into a compact defense. By playing the sides of the field we will
open up the defense and create the space for penetrating runs and passes.
FORWARD THIRD (from 20 yards beyond the midfield to the goal line we are attacking)
In this area we want to focus on POSSESSION moving the ball into areas for high-percentage
FINISHING. If there is forward space to attack or you have the opportunity to go one-on-one against a
weaker defender do so, but most of the time think lateral, or sideways, movement to move the defenders
and the goalkeeper. It is much more difficult to defend moving sideways then simply front to back. The
simplest thing to remember for a solid attack it this area is to be D-WIMPS
D Depth. As we move to goal some players need to be in support, some attacking hard to goal, some
holding back for balls played out. If we are all in a line we only have one option for a ball played in, but
if we are spread forward and back we will have players in position for any ball played in.
W - WIDTH. We need to get the balls to the sides to spread the defense.
I -IMPROVISATION. This is creative play that will confuse the defense (and get the camp coaches to
notice you!) This may include great dribbling to beat players or combination wall passes, one-twos, takeovers, dummies, or drops played quickly with other teammates.
M MOBILITY. This means all players are in constant motion. Never stand still. If you make a run
and dont receive the ball make another run. Time your runs into the box, then loop back out of the box
for a second run if the ball is not played in the first time.
P PENETRATION. To score you must penetrate, or get behind, the defense. Running straight down
the field is too easy to defend. Diagonal runs, overlaps, moving to support, and quick movement as soon
as you play the ball will allow you to move into dangerous position.
S SHOOT. Our attack means nothing if we dont shoot on net. We want to get outside shots early to
test the keeper. Shots outside the box should be powerful. Shots from inside the box need to focus on
accuracy. All shots need to be followed so we can capitalize on any defensive errors.
Rufner
Created on 12/18/06 11:43 AM

4-3-3 SYSTEM OF PLAY

4-3-3 POSITION RESPON SIBILITIES
As we progress through our week at camp we may modify how we play within this system as we learn
more about how our team plays together and who fits in which position. Some of you may be playing a
position you dont normally play with your club team (when I played for Colorado the coach believed the
best players play defense, so though I was a sweeper for my club I soon became a striker with ODP!) It is
important you read over this numerous times during the next couple of weeks so you will understand your
role, no matter what position you are in, as well as the role of others around you. Just remember, soccer
is just a game of small triangles, possession, space, passing, defending, and finishing no matter where you
are at on the field.

THE GOALKEEPER
DEFENSE
1) Be vocal in organizing the defense. The goalkeeper must see the full field and direct players
where to go.
2) Make quick and confident decisions to come off the line for balls; come out strong for balls in the
air and in one-on-one situations.
3) Agile feet and sure hands for shot blocking.
ATTACK
1) Accurate distribution to target forwards.
2) Support defenders for balls back.
3) Big and safe goal kicks and clears.

OUTSIDE DEFENDERS
DEFENSE
1) Immediate pressure on the ball when outside forwards are in possession of ball.
2) Strong and confident tackles; no diving in.
3) Be compact to support central defenders and close down dangerous space.
4) Provide depth and balance on opposite side of attack; cover for others mistakes.
5) Scan the field to make certain all players are marked; no ball watching!
ATTACK
1) Provide outlet support for goalkeeper and central defenders.
2) Quick and accurate distribution to target forwards.
3) Think like an outside midfielder to provide width and option for switching attack.
4) Push up on offensive restart opportunities.

CENTRAL DEFENDERS
DEFENSE
1) Must be in constant communication with one another; play as one.
2) Delay central attack; strong and decisive tackles when appropriate.
3) Immediate pressure on ball with the other in supportive space.
4) Stay compact in central, dangerous space.
5) Cover for outside defenders if they are beat.
6) Be strong in the air to clear balls sent in high.
ATTACK
1) Quick and accurate distribution to outside defenders or target forwards.
2) Provide depth support for midfield.
3) Attempt to switch attacking sides of play when ball is played to the center.

Rufner
Created on 12/18/06 11:43 AM

4-3-3 SYSTEM OF PLAY

CENTRAL MIDFIELDERS
DEFENSE
1) Deny the attack from entering center of the field.
2) Become a second defender supporting outside back delaying striker.
3) Provide far-side coverage when attack is on opposite side of the field, making certain no far side
players are left unmarked for crosses.
ATTACK
1) Provide immediate support for drop passes.
2) Quick distribution to forwards followed by overlapping runs outside.
3) Strong runs down the line followed by accurate crosses.
4) Fill far-side space for switching attacking sides.
5) Quick speed to the box to finish crosses and through balls from far side.

ATTACKING MIDFIELD
DEFENSE
1) Immediate marking of opposing central midfield players.
2) Move in as second defender to assist central defenders delaying attack.
3) Mark area at top of the box for any outside shots or drops.
4) Win balls in the air to clear of dangerous space.
ATTACK
1) Provide immediate support from targets to transition to quick attack.
2) Use combination play (give-and-go passes, take-over) to create space in center of field
3) Switch side of attack when possible.
4) Take outside shots to high corners to catch keeper off their line.

CENTRAL FORWARD
DEFENSE
1) 2nd defender pressure with other forwards.
2) Cover the hole, roughly halfway between penalty box and midfield, to win balls cleared by our
defense or dropped by opposite attack.
3) Communicate and organize defense from the attacking side.
4) Drop fully back to defend against restarts.
ATTACK
1) Play deep, off-shoulder to check back and receive as primary target.
2) Look to spin and go.
3) Look for through funs past wing forwards for flicks; look for quick switches to far-side wings.
4) Take outside shots to high corners to catch keeper off their line.
5) Go strong to the box to finish crosses and through balls.

WING FORWARDS
DEFENSE
1) Apply immediate and intense pressure on opposing defenders with the ball.
2) Front defenders to deny drops and win balls that may come out.
ATTACK
1) Near side support and runs off target player; far side runs for quick switches.
2) Provide outlet support to defenders on side channels.
3) Look to switch to far-side forward.
4) Take space on through runs, overlaps, and corner runs; avoid running straight up the field.
5) Strong attack in the box to finish crosses and follow-up opportunities.

Rufner
Created on 12/18/06 11:43 AM