The 3-4-3 System...

 
Our dear Soccer alert readers we are going to be writing some articles on youth development, technical and tactical training tips also some fitness training tips for those who love soccer and aspire to grace the great Soccer pitches of the world. This is on  the organization and use of the 3-4-3 system during attacking and defense. 

Starting Formation
Three players in the defensive unit, four midfielders, and three attackers (see figure). The division of the players into the three units obviously sets the scene for a style of play where the main part of the game will take place in the opposition's half of the field.

Organization
The few players on defense are positioned in accordance with the fact that the opposition often plays with one or two attackers. No one wants four players to be tied up with only two opponents, and it is not unusual to see the best teams playing with only two at the back if the opposition is only playing one striker. The three attackers are positioned in such a way that width is a natural feature of the attacking play.

Attacking
The attackers should not trap themselves by getting too close to the opposition's defenders. The two wingers should move back down the pitch to become available. This normally occurs when play is on the opposite side of the pitch. The two wingers are often fast, and by moving back down the pitch for a short distance on receiving the ball, they can more easily turn away from the defenders and reach a high speed before the challenge. The system is based on well-developed teamwork between the outer midfield players and wingers, and between the central attacker and the rest of midfield.

Defending
As a rule, the three on defense play with zonal marking, but when the opposition, who is controlling play, encroaches over the halfway line, the closest defender should challenge the potential attacker who is in the relevant area. Defenders maintain the switch to man-to-man marking until the situation is cleared. It is commonly the right and left backs who undertake the man-to-man marking, while the third player functions as a sweeper. If the attacker is in the central area, number 3 will mark this player, and either 5 or one of the wide backs will act in support.

The organization of the midfield is crucial in giving confidence to the few players on defense. At the commencement of play, number 5 is a free player and could be classified as a libero who is pushing forward. Number 5 operates defensively according to the situation; this is usually as the defensive midfield player, but also as the player who gets right back if it looks as if the opposition is about to break through on one of the wings. The four midfielders should cover the open space in the midfield area. When the opposition has the ball and is in the process of a buildup, players consciously try to centralize the game in this area. The players' positions form a diamond, but a tight diamond. This means that the area along the sides of the defensive half of the pitch should normally be covered by the two wingers. The central attacker should remain central in both the offensive and defensive phases.