9v9 4-3-1 Intro Shape and Building out of the Back

[@The_Futbol_Kid_02]

Hey Coach Rory, big fan! Can you do a video on a 9v9 3-4-1 formation. Incredibly difficult to defend but also provides excellent defensive coverage (assuming the right personel). It also shifts into a 431 or 332 more easily to help match-up defensively and press.

[@CoachRorySoccer]

I’ll add it to the list.

[@The_Futbol_Kid_02]

@CoachRorySoccer you probably have quite the list, haha. Any quick thoughts you have on the formation, strengths, weaknesses? We run a 341 but don't have the right personal for it (strong 9, talented players at 10, 8, 6, but no true "holding CM", 1 offensive WB, 1 defensive WB, 2 strong CBs). First sub can play anywhere but striker. Appreciate the vids and inspiration!

[@tulleedman3674]

@@CoachRorySoccerHey, I found this video just the other day. I really appreciated it and watched a couple of your other videos directly after. I also sent it to the other coaches as well as the players on our team. Thank you🙏 Did you ever make a 3-4-1 video? I looked for it but couldn’t find it.

[@CoachRorySoccer]

@@tulleedman3674 thank you! No but I can add it to the list

[@tulleedman3674]

@@CoachRorySoccer Would be highly appreciated🙏🙌

[@britt3343]

Really good explaining it 👍🏼

[@Ghostbusters758]

I will show to my team thx coach

[@Zein-football-high-press-41221]

Good video 👍⚽️💪

[@CoachRorySoccer]

Thanks!

[@MrThreeamigos007]

Good video, I like the way you explained it. thank you coach.

[@CoachRorySoccer]

Glad you liked it!

[@mattjohanson2319]

I really like this 4-3-1 formation, but worry that I don't have the kids for it. I am thinking of trying out a 4-2-2 with similar concepts that you laid out here. The back line would be the same and the same holding mid. But 2 strikers and 1 attacking mid basically switch places. The 6 and 9 on my team have the best soccer IQ and can distribute well and the 9 is the best scorer. I think I can help them work together well in the center. I believe there are benefits pressing with 2 up top as you shared in a different recent video. Also, the schools here run a 4-4-2, so I think this will help with that transition. My question is whether or not you see any concerns with this approach or anything I should watch out for? I think I can adapt your other videos to this formation as well. BTW, your videos have been super helpful to my team in 7v7 as we went from winless prior to U9 to undefeated this last season. Thanks so much for doing these!

[@CoachRorySoccer]

Many teams play a 4-2-1-1 you may think about. I just worry about the ability to use the wide areas and spread teams out. Let me know how it goes!

[@JeffreyjK95]

Absolutely love the videos and explanation. Played all my life, but this is my first season coaching. Your videos are helping me so much! My question for you is what would be a similar formation for 11v11? This would be for u10

[@CoachRorySoccer]

11v11 well there are many way to go but you he natural progression from a 4-3-1 at 9v9 is to a 4-3-3 at 11v11 Glad you like the vids.

[@JeffreyjK95]

@@CoachRorySoccerYou're the best! I love the way you are such a good educator, I really value that. You are uniquely good at teaching how to teach some of the very difficult concepts in soccer to teach, if that makes any sense. “Genius is making complex ideas simple, not making simple ideas complex.” - Albert Einstein "Making the simple complicated is commonplace; making the complicated simple, awesomely simple, that's creativity." -Charles Mingus ^^^^ They say it better Also, the birds eye view format is really helpful, what program do you use to show that? You are helping me become the coach I want to be, so thank you!

[@CoachRorySoccer]

@@JeffreyjK95 thank you!!! Really appreciate it. The program is tactical pad.

[@michaelwarren3351]

Hey Rory. Loving the videos. I need a bit of advice please! My team is moving from 7 a side to 9 aside next season, this is only my 2nd season in coaching! What basics or minimal drills, training should I be looking at, im worried about structuring my training

[@CoachRorySoccer]

Hey thanks! Check out my latest video on session structure. I’d try to follow that as much as possible.

[@tillmandavids]

When goalie gains possession from shot on goal, do you build out the same for 9v9? Does the other team have to clear the penalty area? I looked up the laws and can't find a distance they have to be. Thanks again!

[@CoachRorySoccer]

There is no build out like at 9v9. Build out is similar but your adding two players so it depends somewhat on your formation

[@thedefensivegoat]

me using this for a grade 8 recess soccer game for my team(i'm 14 lol) just wanna win yk

[@PPp-yr6co]

Hello, my friend, can you talk in a video clip about the best 10v10 tactic in terms of attack and defense? I trust your point of view, my friend!

[@CoachRorySoccer]

I’ll add it to the list!

[@74Walle]

❤👏👏

[@ThomasTobler_engineer]

😮

[@nicolasgosselin5392]

Hi coach, I'm a new coach of a competitive U12 F. Lots of teams we're playing against (and lots of teams within my organization) value defenders that are just clearing out the ball all the time. And also goalies that kick it as far as possible whenever there's a goal kick. From your videos, you seem to always want to play possession from the back. When do you build out from the back and when do you just kick it as far as possible?

[@CoachRorySoccer]

I build out all the time at this level. Unfortunately most team value winning above all else. In terms of when I would play it long etc it would be very specific situations with older teams and I was trying to win a game vs a team that perhaps was much more skilled than mine. But at the youth level I build out always.

[@coreytohme9861]

I would only clear it out the back during emergencies or if a team was high pressing leaving gaps in their shape elsewhere. Otherwise ALWAYS build out the back. At the younger to mid age levels, a cleared ball may help win more games, but the players are not learning as much as a team. Adults understand it better than the kids, but ask them/yourself do you want to win, or do you want to learn the game? In my opinion, I value growth in skills and good decision making over wins and/or high scores. I congratulate my girls when they "do the right thing" even if it doesn't have the best outcome. They need positive reinforcement for doing the right thing especially when it seems that they may being beat in one area of the field or another. I am more interested in building good players than keeping a winless record.

[@theveluxhorse1120]

Clearing out from the back is emergency only. If you can drill it in to your girls to play good football you will be well ahead of the majority who have kittle to no faith in their teams ability to play. I'm luck that I've been with my team since under 7s. We've practised passing over and over again. We're playing a year up in U12s (we're U11) and we're out playing most teams. Getting the girls to be confident under pressure anywhere on the pitch will pay dividends in the end. It's a long process but you gotta stick with it.

[@ukdavo]

Not sure why the opposition 11 does not press your 2 as your 4 passes to him/her. You’ve got an overload at the back (3defs + gk v striker) but you’re not using this. By the way, am playing devils advocate here. This isn’t to put you down or anything. You’ve posted content which is way more than I’ve ever done. Keep up the good work.

[@CoachRorySoccer]

Love it! Well that certainly could have been the case. Maybe I just forgot to move that player in that moment when doing tactical pad. If your pressing with just the 9 you would ideally want your 11 to stay wide to cut off that option for the 4. Overall I think I was trying to show build out philosophy not pressing. But to be honest that video was a while ago. 😬

[@barryanderson3568]

In BC Canada we go from 7v7 u8-10 then to 8v8 in u11

[@ReneBold]

and U13 to 9v9

[@jordenbarnette8980]

What qualities do you look for in positioning the 8 & 10 offensive mids? I’m in my 6th year of coaching but first time coaching a true 13u team. I may not have the players to run a 4-3-1 may have to do a 3-3-2. But trying to figure out what I have would work best.

[@CoachRorySoccer]

Gotta fit system best for you. 8 and 10 should be creative players who are threats to score. Good vision. Good passers. Don’t need to be especially fast.

[@jordenbarnette8980]

@@CoachRorySoccer thank you!

[@kimzollinger3840]

Good video, but the pointer could be brighter?

[@CoachRorySoccer]

My new videos are much better production value. This one was back when I was a KZbin newb. 😂

[@batterymanification]

Hey question for you, what software is this? Want to use something similar to show me 2011s how to progress up the field. Thanks I’m advance

[@CoachRorySoccer]

Tactical Pad. Good luck!

[@robertom1155]

Hey Coach, where would you put a weaker player in this formation that has passing and dribbling issues

[@CoachRorySoccer]

Up top or on the wing.

[@ai79]

Hi Coach, thanks again for all you do, your videos are a blessing. Following up on this question: if you have 3 weaker players on the field at any given time, where do you position them - on top and both wings?

[@joaopedroschroeder3280]

is there a program that i can use too so i can apply this configuration to show to my team to visualize?

[@CoachRorySoccer]

Tactical pad.

[@joaopedroschroeder3280]

Thanks

[@Wissassin]

Im confused why this is called 4-3-1? vs 3-4-1 as its laid out in the later. Trying to implement with u11 team. thanks

[@CoachRorySoccer]

Well basically you have a back line of 4. Two CBs and two FBs or wings. The midfield is made up of three players. And a single striker. So that’s why it’s called 431.

[@MikeBaas]

Note to self: the 6 is an option if there are two forwards pressing - which I think is another way of saying that switching isn't an option. But I think the caviat is: only if the 6 is actually on! I think the coaching point is that the CBs have to be able to think to clear the ball if switching, wingbacks or the center midfielder are just not on because the build out didn't go well for whatever reason, and not to force picking any of the other options. This is the ejector seat option. We lost our game today in the last 30 seconds because the build went cockeyed and the CB chose the pressured CM as an option with a build that went bad from the start. GK played the ball to a too high CB (positioned at top corner of 18) who didn't look wide and was intensely pressured, as was the CM. It was such a bitter, bitter loss to work on BOOTB so many times just to have everything go dead wrong like that.

[@CoachRorySoccer]

100%. Where they high pressing you? In a high press the 6 is usually not a good option, at least initially

[@MikeBaas]

@@CoachRorySoccer Yes, Coach. Almost all teams in my division high press so that's what we practice and prepare to face every week. But we don't have any players with a big enough foot to clear the press, so we depend on passing to get out of the back.

[@MikeBaas]

@@CoachRorySoccer That's why it has been most challenging to understand where the 6 fits in a high press because most of the time it feels like they shouldn't ever be involved until we are in the second 3rd of the field after the BOOTB has progressed.

[@CoachRorySoccer]

@@MikeBaas Basically you have to switch field or play direct to your striker/ACM

[@jontabor3667]

I’m coaching an under 11 team (5th and 6th) graders and I can barely get them to stay on their side of the field, much less in their position. For example, left HB is over on the right chasing the ball around like a Labrador retriever or a FB down inside the other teams 6 yrd line. I talk about staying in their lanes and sliding up and down the field while maintaining their positions, but as soon as the whistle blows and the ball starts moving they gravitate towards it like a black hole pulling in an entire solar system. I explain using a small clipboard diagram, then half speed walk through and they dead ass look me in the eye and say they understand. But as soon as we start mixing it up, amnesia sets in. The other day we had been scrimmaging for less than 5 minutes and the play just happened to be on the right side of the field for the full 5 minutes. I noticed my left forward just standing at mid-field completely disengaged and unaware what was happening. I asked him what he was doing and he said “he was bored because the ball never comes on his side of the field”. Not 10 seconds later he missed 4 consecutive scoring opportunities within 3 minutes because he was either out of position or didn’t have his body turned and ready for a cross. And when I say “cross” I really mean a deflection of some sort and completely unintentional. The ball just happened to find it’s way crossing in front of the goal from right to left about 7 feet from the goal post. It’s frustrating and I’m not sure how to break the habit. So if your kids are demonstrating field awareness and thinking through passing options, you’re doing well.

[@ericeversmann4055]

Thanks!

[@serpasita]

What kind of software is that? Great video btw!

[@CoachRorySoccer]

Thank you!!! It’s tactical pad software.

[@Dontbeasheep33]

Wingers always stay wide on white line when in possession

[@CoachRorySoccer]

Well in a youth team short answer yes. I try to keep things as simple as possible for them. The winger on side ball is on should be wide. Winger on the opposite side can cinch

[@leedchristensen]

I can’t get my u12 players to make a decent pass in the first place..

[@CoachRorySoccer]

Baby steps.

[@Monduras]

My u12s are hopeless- tried this in practice and they just lost interest… how do you teach this for the entire team??

[@CoachRorySoccer]

Have to break it down. Start with build out. Depending on your numbers and skill level, run through a couple of choreographed patterns of play and then go 7v5, 8v6, 9v4, 9v5, to small goals placed either at half line or a little beyond. Ball starts at GK. If defenders will ball they go to big goal. Attacking team tries to score on two small goals placed wide.

[@bradleyfearnley4399]

@@CoachRorySoccer any patterns you’d suggest trying?

[@bradleyfearnley4399]

@@CoachRorySoccer any patterns you’d suggest trying?

[@CoachRorySoccer]

@@bradleyfearnley4399 yes. I need to do a video on build out patterns for 9v9 but they are theme and variation off my 7v7 patterns which are on the channel.

[@bradleyfearnley4399]

@@CoachRorySoccer I’m trying to work out how I can switch to this I use 3-4-1 but it’s worn out and boring. I want to play 4-1-2-1 but it’s thinking about how I can get into training and get it across to the lads. Maybe setup an attacking team in the formation to play against some defenders?

[@klingvideos6609]

Good shit

[@CoachRorySoccer]

Thanks!

[@fitnessymas9605]

What about 4-4-0 so the we can exploit the wings and attack 2 vs1 on the wing

[@CoachRorySoccer]

Depending on how your coaching off ball movement should be able to create 2v1 in most any formation. I prefer 431 because of its natural transition from 231 at 7v7

[@MikeBaas]

What is the definition of a trigger?

[@CoachRorySoccer]

Basically something that happens in the course of play that stimulates a player to perform a specific action. For example, when to make a run, when to hold up play, when to combine, defensively when to press, when to cover, when to drop...etc.

[@MikeBaas]

@@CoachRorySoccer That's what I thought. A trigger is what adds the improvisational and creative qualtities to the pattern. Coaching to this is the next level beyond exploring patterns.

[@bob37747]

What about if the reds do man to man ?

[@CoachRorySoccer]

These are just starting patterns. What would happen in a specific pressing situation varies.

[@ahmadrayej]

I think this is 2321 not 431

[@CoachRorySoccer]

Typically four in the back is considered 4. But it honestly doesn’t really matter.

[@ahmadrayej]

@@CoachRorySoccer ok, but some times we want a strong deffence. the build ups wasnt based on a back 4 with deeper areas for full backs.

[@joseluisalvaradoaquino-jo4wt]

En español

[@CoachRorySoccer]

I can't speak a lick of espanol. My wife is from Argentina too, so I have no excuse...