PLAYING OUT FROM THE BACK IN A 4-3-3

SESSION TITLE: PLAYING OUT FROM THE BACK IN A 4-3-3

OBJECTIVES

• Coach the goalkeeper and defenders to build up play from the back
• coach the defence to transfer possession successful  under pressure to the midfielders
• coach a team to build up play from the back four

PRACTICE I – 7 v 3 RONDO

Organization

Measure out a practice space 24 x 16 yards divided in two.

Players play in a 7v3 rondo with the attacking 7 made up of the back four and the midfield three.

All players except the pivot midfielder are positioned on the lines as shown below and the centre backs and full backs can play along their designated line. The pivot midfielder play 1v3 against the opposition in the middle with only two of the defending three can defend in any one zone. Progress to a 7v4.

Instruction

The play starts from a support player behind the centre backs. A good candidate for this role is the goalkeeper as this helps to develop the relationship with the back four.

The attackers maintain possession of the ball and seek to advance the ball from the centre backs to the central midfielders through penetration and switch of play.

If the defenders win the ball they look to dribble over or pass the ball to a teammate over the opposition’s end line.

Key Coaching Points 

1. Centre backs split and full backs push up high and wide to form an “arc shape”.

2. Pivot chooses moment to support the centre backs thereby releasing both full backs

3. Make good decisions. You have 3 options; 1st choice – play penetrative pass or 2nd choice – play square/wide to get around or 3rd choice – play backwards to retain possession.

4. Midfielders play on different lines so only one of the attacking central midfielders can drop in at a time to support play.

PRACTICE II – 8 v 5 RONDO

Organization

Measure out a practice space 40x 25 yards divided in four.

Players play in an 8v5 rondo with the attacking 8 made up of the back four, midfield three and centre forward.

The Back four and centre forward are positioned on the lines and the centre backs and full backs can play along their designated line. The three central midfielders play 3v5 against the opposition in the middle. Only two of the defending five can defend in any one zone

Instruction

Play starts from the support player behind the centre backs.

The attackers maintain possession of the ball and seek to advance the ball from the centre backs to the central forward through the central midfielders and the full backs . Both attacking central midfielders cannot occupy the same zone and should aim to play on different horizontal lines.

If the defenders win the ball they look to dribble over or pass the ball to a teammate over the opposition’s end line.

Key Coaching Points

1. Reinforce previous coaching points
2. The central midfielders chooses moment to support the centre backs thereby releasing both full backs
3. Centre backs move forward with play to provide a 3rd choice option in case further forward players need to make a back pass.

PRACTICE III – 9 v 9 SMALL SIDED GAME

Organization

Players play in an 9v9 format with one side playing a 1-4-3-1 vs the other 1-4-2-2. Play is in a 60v40 yards (max 80v60 yards) pitch with players allowed to go wherever they want.

Instruction

In event of a goal, restart play from the goalkeeper of the goal scoring side.

Key Coaching Points

1. Goal keeper places ball centrally from goal kicks
2. Centre backs split wide and full backs push high and wide to form an arc shape
3. If under heavy press, the centre backs slide alongside the 18 yard box, the pivot midfielder waits in/around the “D” and the central midfielders take positions to receive on the half turn behind the opponents first line of press.
4. Goalkeeper support the play from behind in event a back pass is needed to maintain possession.
5. Goalkeeper should continually scan field in order to locate the spare player and make a long pass to this spare player if needed to escape the press (skipping lines).
6. Piston movement of the central midfielders when central defenders are in possession (midfielders playing on different lines)

TECHNICAL DETAILS

• Body Position: Receive on the half turn
• Receiving: Receive on the back foot and play on the front foot
• Passing: Timing of and disguise passes.
• Movement: Move to create supporting triangles and diamonds for player in possession.
• Communication: Communicate to your teammate – turn, play, switch, pass, man on

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