4-3-3: build through the free eight
A phase of play: the attacking team builds from its keeper against three pressers and looks for the eight who is free between the lines, then plays through the end gates. Puts the 4-3-3 shape under real pressure.
Your assistant coach: turn this drill into a full session, plan the weeks around it and tell me how it went.
Set-up
- Attacking team: keeper, back four, six, two eights; two 4 m gates at the far end.
- Defending team: three pressers and two midfielders; they attack the keeper's goal.
Equipment: Goals, cones, bibs, balls
How it works
- Keeper starts. Find the free player and play forward to an eight.
- Eight turns and passes or dribbles through a gate for a point.
- If the defending team wins it, they try to score in the big goal straight away.
Coaching points
- Width and depth before the first pass.
- Six and eights: never all on one line.
- Play forward when it's on; recycle when it isn't.
Formations this drill suits
Add this drill to a session plan โ
Make it easier
- Two pressers
Make it harder
- Pressers allowed into the box
AttackersDefendersKeeper / neutral- - โ Passโ Runใฐโ Dribble
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