Strengths and Weaknesses of the 4-3-3 System

[@jonaslundstrom2011]

Good video and nicely explained. My excperience is that teams on lower levels almost never should play 4-3-3 because of what you brought up, the need for high level of ball control and conditioning, but also the need for understanding and discipline of how to adapt within the defense when that is necessary. I think 4-3-3 is for teams on a higher level, with especially wingers being able to run like madmen throughout the game. I don´t think there is a coincidence that 4-4-2 works so well for most team, especially on lower levels.

[@keelanchurchill243]

Jonas Lundström don’t agree with that

[@captainmalone3217]

@@keelanchurchill243 explain more

[@LaVidaFutbol]

Nice work on the video. One thing that you mentioned that I did not fully agree with was at the beginning in which you take your #10 and you use that player to overlap the #7. Typically in this formation the #2 and the #3 are the players running up and down the field to overlap the wingers and then return so the midfield players do not have to make those runs... I like that you mentioned the triangles of pressure, there are many triangles with this formation that can be used both on offense and defense. Nice work and thank you!

[@neo87011]

All these formations are critically dependent on the quality and physicality of the players

[@umarrauf6767]

Physicality yes. Quality no.

[@neo87011]

@Byron Bredenhann awesome response...it still boils down to the kind of player. For instance Manchester city or Liverpool play the way they play based on the players they got in the market

[@georgek5186]

Excellent job explaining the 4 3 3 formations. Really help showing a Strength an weaknesses

[@SenorFlamyHD]

Thanks George!

[@benbelap]

I always say the best way to play against a 4-3-3 is to use a 4-3-3. Obviously it depends on your players, but if you have them, dont even think. Counter it with yours it makes for a very heart wrenching game of football. Ala Liverpool, Barcelona

[@pepsport9090]

Fantastic video. Helps me understand my role more and what is required from my team mates.

[@JustN0tMe]

I came here to learn about more ways to beat this formation and I ended up learning that my approach versus this formation was always right I remember Mourinho saying(when he 1st arrived in Chelsea) that as long the clubs used 442 versus him he would always win because of 4:20 I will add that a narrow 4231 is a great formation versus 433 I believe thats the reason why Mourinho stopped being the Special One because this formation became popular after Dortmunds Bundesliga win 10/11 🤔Some food for thought

[@ahmedababsa4358]

very good i like your style to explication and demonstration to play good football

[@shivainnocent5808]

ahmed ab

[@geoffwilliams2308]

The system used should be dependent on the players available to the coach. Asking players to fulfil a role they are not suited to is asking for trouble.

[@akudarikk]

i agree with u mate..

[@captainmalone3217]

@@akudarikk what part in particular ?

[@tatsuyasigh1906]

Prime example of how a 3-man midfield got overwhelmed: Westham - Man Utd last week

[@sammybosak10]

Exceptional exists

[@as7alexis970]

Technically a 4 man midfield, moderation is key and the players that started were too static ie. Mctominay fellaini and matic

[@tatsuyasigh1906]

@@as7alexis970 They played 5-3-2 that match. Wingbacks got pushed back too deep so there was lots of space in midfield. Ofc that had a lot to do with United's lack of intensity in general

[@as7alexis970]

@Behizy i didnt see a lot of tactical masterclass in the first half, and jose only decides to play fast, attractive football when hes losing or under pressure, he didnt know how to use mata in the first half and played long balls to him when hes a possession player, im sorry but jose is finished

[@DFWTB9506]

also how barca got beat by bayern munich back in i want to say 2013- 2014

[@steveward5267]

Good job on the explanation and strength/weakness. Helps a lot.

STRENGTHS - the longest English word that has only one vowel.

[@dgs299]

Thanks for this fact!

[@CraigPuzzleBooks]

You have excellent ideas on how to run different styles out of the 4-3-3. Thank you for making the video!

[@bestsoccertricks]

Great video... Love how the strengths and weaknesses of the 4-3-3 formation was explained.

[@nathanielacampbell]

I'm wondering if you can do one for the goalie

[@billbeis7691]

keep it up , make some versus with formations , that would be cool

[@2v1football]

Formations are just telephone numbers.. :) It's all about player roles in different phases of the game. Of course those telephone numbers are important guidance point for players and coaches!

[@Neno_6610]

My team plays a 2-3-5 position because all the midfielders want to attack and most of the defenders play offensive/midfield we score a lot of goals but also concced alot.

[@AJ-lh4fp]

My team uses a 4-5-1, can you make a video on it? Defense: lb, rb, two center backs Midfield: Dm, Lm, Rm, two CAM's Attack: 1 striker It would help

[@DGTLCLANGAMING]

Formations are basically guidelines for a tactical shape. Think about the difference between 4-3-3 and 4-5-1 with cams like you've described, the wingers are playing deep and the 2 midfielders are pushed forward. They're essentially the same formation so everything he says here applies to your situation

[@AJ-lh4fp]

@@DGTLCLANGAMING thanks but my coach switched our main formation a couple weeks ago 😂still thanks tho

[@betterworldok3802]

Well explained

[@jamesruscheinski8602]

What are advantages and disadvantages of 3-2-3-2 with team defense in own half and pressure to regain possession high up to midfield line in particular?

[@zulfikarabdullah4804]

great explanation on formation but the general formation tend to change whether the team is on the offensive or defensive. A suggestion since formations tend to change maybe include what would be the best defensive AND offensive formation to use.

[@eric108]

Please also do one for 4-3-3 (4), 4-3-3 (3), and 4-3-3 (5). THANKS

[@narutouzumaki3548]

Can we say football is like checkers or Chinese checkers when we think from the space perspective?

[@feliciano8887]

Hi my team plays with a 3-5-2. In defence we like to play the back with the back men and the midfielders while the 2 strikers stay up and wait for the counter attack, we hold the ball around the defence area until the opposite team starts to push up and when they go past around half way, we switch the play to the strikers so we could counter attack. Is these good tactics?

[@Happy123]

you can use inverted fullbacks to deal with the diamond midfield

[@Zack-rc3dt]

Happy123 that will make you really exposed at the back tough

[@Happy123]

thats when a sweeper keeper comes in XD

[@nitinapte8915]

Is 3,4,3 a good formation or should we use 4,5,1 to play a possession based attacking football

[@olatundedaniel3464]

Nice analysis!

[@beolly187]

Glad I found this. I really enjoy listening to Tom's podcast

[@WORLDCLASSCOACHING]

Thanks for listening to CoachingSoccerWeekly.com Billy!

[@leacroftlettman7371]

Love the explanation

[@mafik90]

I used to play attacking wing and i had to always put so much work to come back to cover for my right back who would always shift like you showed to covert that space on the left..

[@rukdropov]

I would also in the modern game you have to speak of offensive formations and defensive formations to explain the general approach when you have the ball and when you don't have the ball. So I would say something like 4-1-2-3(O) & 4-1-4-1(D). The old single formation explanation is something we should ditch.

[@rukdropov]

It always struck me how this formation is so close to the old WM. Putting aside role modifications for the modern game, all that has happened is the left half has dropped back to help the center-half out because teams started playing with two center-forwards.

[@urijahdoyle2579]

Do popular training program like Episoketren System really work and if so, how effective are they? We've heard many awesome things about this popular training program.

[@UltimateFeudEnterprise]

4-3-3 flat is pretty decent but I quite like the 4-2-3-1 or old Sir Alex Ferguson’s 4-4-2

[@ddkay6478]

No need to have great technical players ...Just need to have great tactical players...if they are able to always positioned themselves on the pitch in the right way ( Barça's Pep) then no teams can deal with it. But the fact is that the players have to be very very focus during the game...For example -> Ajax's Ten Hag

[@umarmars47]

What do you think of 3-2-4-1(3-6-1)??

[@-PlayMaker-]

Too clustered in mid. I don't like having a lone striker instead of three. 3 at the back is too narrow and slow. Most likely the back 3 are center backs, so very physical and big but also slow. Having four at the back gets rid of one cb and adds width and 2 faster more offensive players. This is why 433 is so good. Just watch Barca and you'll start to understand proper usage of space and build up as well as proper defending. 433 allows you to get many players forward without being to open to counter attacks. If you lose the ball then you press the player in possession hard with multiple players. This leaves opponents open for pass but since your pressing the ball you make him panic and misplace the pass or you cut off passing lanes. 361 leaves plenty of room for long balls over the top to the opponent strikers. Can't go through the mid so go over.

[@eminemishh]

Seems suicidal

[@George_1098]

Sundaland Please Unite This is some shit you see in Sunday league 😂😂

[@deveshtripathi7958]

Can you tell also about 4-2-3-1 formation

[@n5ryan5]

Great work. The 442 diamond is basically 433 with a false 9 right? What software did you use for this video?

[@dr1036]

You can immediately change to 3-4-3 to deal with diamond midfield

[@suarezblanco5454]

Denis R. , It would still be 2 vs 4 in the midfield. But I understand your point, it is a good idea to USE 3-4-3 because Its a lot of space in the wide areas.

[@SenorFlamyHD]

I've been running the 4-3-3 on my ultimate team for a while now and have been getting exposed on counter attacks. Would you recommend I keep one of the full backs defending at all times so I don't put so much pressure on my centerbacks? Thanks coach!

[@umarrauf6767]

I often set my CDM to stay back while attacking to keep a solid 3 at the back in the case of the counter.

[@robertovalero8334]

Look at Ajax Amsterdam from the 70's and 90's they were great in playing this system.

[@q0qcky753]

I'm a striker. My coach tells my team to create diamonds (mostly the three midfielders and me dropping down sometimes) and defend narrow, especially when the opposition is playing at the back, and so it prevents them from playing through the middle and we also use the triangles of pressure when they pass it out wide after seeing there is no way through the middle. What do you think?

[@taylorrussell3432]

I think the 4-4-2 works good with the stacked sweeper and stopper and two strikers. Which do you works better the 4-4-2 or the 4-3-3

[@WORLDCLASSCOACHING]

It always depends on the players you have but I'm not a fan of playing with a sweeper. I prefer the flexibility of the 4-3-3 over the 4-4-2 but again, the qualities of your players should determine the system you play.

[@joeymalone8596]

Technically good team of players can play 4-3-3 if your team are not good at keeping possession then 4-4-2 is the system you should play with players understanding and identifying their roles much easier.

[@Armandini127]

What coaching software are you using

[@tonyhudspeth3861]

hi could you tell me the software you use for this demonstration ?

[@macmcgranaghan4491]

could me send the website please

[@oniculator]

Who knows the software he used for the simulation?

[@Exmonboy]

Abdurrahman Oni asc software sign up for €25 for a year

[@deanmcnally7067]

This is my favourite formation

[@robdogg11]

I like to play 2 defensive mids instead 2 attacking, but one of my defensive mids plays more like a #8 but is a more defensive minded player.

[@omarsalah5499]

@@robdogg11 so you mean 4-2-3-1

[@omadhau4581]

433 combination have generally a space gaps problam if they manage to circulate gaps od midfield it could be dangerous

[@delarae9464]

Thanks 👍🏾

[@ashishmohan6064]

Which is the software being used

[@melissajvaaganay4169]

cool. Soccer is really great. 👍

[@bhartipattnayak4846]

nice and effective video

[@FredMwelwa]

as a counter to the 4-3-3, what formation do you think will be a natural counter to it exploring the spaces left by the forwards? and the spaces left?

[@WORLDCLASSCOACHING]

Fred, I think the 4-2-3-1 could put your players in a good position to counter the 4-3-3.

[@frosty6297]

5-3-2 also, can man mark with the 3 in midfield, the strikers could aggresively mark the strikers.

[@frosty6297]

show by spurs vs real madrid

[@DimitarFCBM]

4-2-3-1, example - Bayern Barcelona 7:0 in 2013

[@DimitarFCBM]

@@pepehimovic3135 2 seasons later Robben, Ribery, Alaba and Javi were injured. Lewy was injured too but still played.

[@vishnudev1589]

hi, have a major doubt, are the strengths and weaknesses the same or bit different if you play with a 4-3-3 system having ONE attacking midfielder instead of TWO(which you showed in the video). Btw, great explanation in this video

[@WORLDCLASSCOACHING]

There would be some differences. I may talk about them in a future video.

[@vishnudev1589]

that would be great, looking forward to it

[@abhishekbose6989]

Wouldn't that become 4-2-3-1?

[@FanofAslan]

Depends on how high those attacking players are on the flanks. It might become more of a 4-2-1-3.

[@aashishbhatta3142]

I think midfielder have too much to do

[@navidbakhshi6403]

What about bus parking system ?

[@thedead073]

Just Kick the ball underneath. Like all the other teams.

[@as7alexis970]

Ask jose

[@moussamounir2981]

could be3-4-3 in attacking ?

[@jaimerhoan9025]

Is Episoketren System helpful to increase your soccer skills? I've read many good stuff about this popular training course.

[@andremaynard8039]

What software was used to animate this drill?

[@danielmitchell9947]

I disagree with the cm's 'over lapping and under lapping' the lw and rw players. Thats what your full backs are for. Then your cdm falls in to cover.

[@abbasabdullahbin]

i still dont understand 'formations'...i mean...they are more like 'roles'......fullbacks have to stroll up and down the touchline...9 stays upfront 'ibra and costa' or drop deeps 'firmino suarez aguero'.

[@rafichowdhury8202]

actually ibra would fall under the idea of strikers dropping deep. I think better examples are lukaku, cavani, etc.

[@muglypunt968]

Formations are for defense more than anything so your team is aware of who is suppose to be defensively minded even while attacking. Formations while attacking aren't as rigid. They are more fluid and the positions preform tactics rather than hold shape. Only the defensive players hold formation. Attacking players should hold position all the time other wise they become predictable. Ie why Messi is so dangerous. That's the general jist anywhoo

[@muglypunt968]

Shouldn't*

[@colin17able]

what is the name of that software

[@WORLDCLASSCOACHING]

Planet.Training/en

[@التميز-ظ1ذ]

@@WORLDCLASSCOACHING hi

[@roypiper581]

This video also misses one BIG advantage of 4-3-3. You create players who can do it ALL. This makes them more valuable as they get older, increasing their sell-on value. Also, it allows you to build a conveyor belt academy where every player knows exactly what is expected of them and you can bring them through, perfectly. Think La Masia in the 2000s.

[@xblazekingz7070]

The weaknesses are stupid if u ask me...the midfielders can take care of it... 4-2-1-3 is better for possesion and defensive quick attack play... 4-3-3 is a build up attacking play with possesion...the best formation is 4-2-1-3.

[@mowafakzatari]

if they play with a diamond 4-4-2 it would be very dangerous , so i need my wings to help my midfielders not the defenders as you said captain .right

[@WORLDCLASSCOACHING]

I would rather my defender 'roll up' on the ball side and have the other three defenders slide across. This allows the wingers to stay high and threaten the back line of the opponent. But it all depends on the qualities of your players.

[@victwenty2324]

id rather press the midfield with 4312 allow the 10 to float and the second striker to help creat and the fullbacks to over lap that allows the 3 man mid to dominate a 442 but still have 2 strikers

[@zeekassa9437]

Thanks. Very helpful

[@christianaustin20]

Loved it

[@christianaustin20]

Great vid

[@roypiper581]

What does the greatest team of all time (mid-2000s Barcelona) and perhaps the greatest Champions League winner in a decade (Bayern in 2020) have in common???? 4-3-3. Every match. No matter what. Losers are those who need to adapt their tactics and change up formations match after match. Greatness is playing YOUR way and making others adapt to you.

[@javiercortes3684]

What app are you using?

[@Jl_Khai]

.

[@AfnanStudio_]

Listen on the intro u idiot

[@MK_4559]

Afnan Studio dude he is asking stop begging a bitch

[@rajabbuyinza4179]

good work keep it up

[@TrymYoutubeMainChannel]

i wish i had that program lol :P

[@sharatchandrapullabhotla2505]

The problem with Barcelona is they are not physically conditioned

[@denislaw8]

Thanks.

[@wasigupitobudiarto7767]

You are explaining total football

[@prophetascending9021]

I personally prefer a 3-2-4-1.

[@mohazabdiali2751]

I want 352

[@Bgbluie]

Good video but wtf is an outside back lol

[@fellixbrenden9407]

I am here because of fifa video game,aprreciate the video so much and thanks though.😁😊

[@developecoaching7264]

Everything depends of how quality players you have..

[@umarrauf6767]

I Disagree.

[@90MinutenLang020Damsko]

Other name for 4 3 3 is Johan Cruijff!

[@umarrauf6767]

Cruyff* only played in a diamond.

[@90MinutenLang020Damsko]

@@umarrauf6767 Cruijff 4-3-3 is the diamond system when performed with the right players, unstoppable offence and defence

[@samuelrod2789]

I’m here from my coach mason

[@sirius1807]

jurgen klopp made 4-3-3 have no weaknesses at all, his players have crazy work rate and atk-def together as a team

[@ivannovakovic2156]

They still have to prove a lot

[@Stratahoovius]

Their weakness is their narrowness. If you pull their team very wide, you can make space for your own attacks.

[@JustN0tMe]

If you use long balls to the wide areas or try to change sides they are immediately in danger thats how Klopp got in 7th place with Dortmund They attack and press soo high they leave to much space between the midfielders and the defense and between the defense and the GK

[@Readytogo11111]

napoli prove it otherwise

[@keijoxiv2243]

The tactic is very demanding and because of that Liverpool is so good at Anfield, because the pitch is little smaller than others. On bigger pitch they as said can be overstreched. Also as the season progresses the tiredness makes The tactic hard to manage.

[@estebanbowers7087]

Does Episoketren System really help to increase your soccer skills? We've read numerous good things about this popular training course.

[@Fantagiadasmile199]

What is the best way to improve my soccer skills? I read a lot of good opinions on the internet about how exactly Episoketren System will help you improve your soccer skills. Has any one tried using this popular training program?

[@qce18]

3-5-2 formation can counter this

[@risteantoniev9709]

but they only have 3 in the back instead if our 5, if we play a long ball we can counter the counter

[@PaolOerfurt]

I have an idea: 1 Goalkeeper, 5 Defender, 5 Offender

[@poorbrian4086]

That's a terrible idea.

[@solangejln]

No midfielder to make transition between attack and defense.

[@PaolOerfurt]

I mean in general rest free

[@PaolOerfurt]

11 friends they got to be

[@kareemsc9913]

Zlatan Ibrahimovic yup

[@عليعلي-ب2ظ8ر]

I think barcelona is the best team play with 433

[@mariobustos35]

Man city

[@MK_4559]

mario bustos yes i remember man city won the champions league 5 times idiot

[@mariobustos35]

@@MK_4559 reading your comment I realized you are just a kid that knows nothing about respect, and nothing at all about football,

[@suhasop4919]

@@MK_4559 noob

[@kamronwerner6481]

Has anyone tried Episoketren System? (google it) I've noticed numerous awesome things about this popular training program.

[@martintabora127]

That is why 5-2-3 is the best formation in football unless your players are shit compared to the competition

[@pbroski92]

FIFA PRO who even plays that formation?

[@harrison01ht]

Jog Chaber Wolverhampton wanderers

[@martintabora127]

Jog Chaber Chelsea did too last year

[@hipbubble7685]

Weakness: its "invented"by the dutch

[@Jeremia1]

That is why they lost two world cup finald

[@PLCSadra]

@@Jeremia1 that kind strategy applied on Spanish teams

[@zxn-hn4tv]

i prefer 3-2-3-2 master class formation

[@beenay18]

Which app are you using?