Coaching Football

The 4-3-3 formation consists of 4 defenders, 3 midfielders and 3 attackers. The three midfield players usually play closely together in order to protect the defence, and move laterally across the pitch as a coordinated unit. The three strikers split across the pitch to spread the attack, and are expected to “tackle back” when necessary. Normally one of the strikers will play a more central role with the other two either side and slightly dropped off.

Barcelona are a side that plays regularly with this formation.

Mostly teams do not start a game using this formation as it requires specialist strikers to be fully effective.

Very often if a team is a goal behind with not long left in a game a manager will opt to use this formation with the extra striker up front.