Gafferbook
Patterns of play ยท U12 to adult

4-3-3: eight drops, winger runs in behind

The number 8 drops beside the six to receive; that drags their marker and opens space for the winger to run in behind. A rotation that creates a simple, repeatable way to attack.

U12 to adultAges
8 to 11 plus a keeperPlayers
Two thirds of a pitchArea
15 minsTime

Your assistant coach: turn this drill into a full session, plan the weeks around it and tell me how it went.

โž• Put it in tonight's session๐Ÿ—“ Build my season around itโœ๏ธ Make my own version

Set-up

  • Keeper, centre-back, six, eight, winger and striker on one side.
  • Passive mannequins (or cones) as the opposition, then live defenders.

Equipment: Goal, cones, mannequins or bibs, balls

How it works

  1. Centre-back plays to the six, eight drops beside them to receive.
  2. Eight plays into the striker, who lays off; winger has run in behind.
  3. Ball in behind to the winger, cross or cut-back for the striker and the eight arriving.

Coaching points

  • Eight: drop early, show for it, face forward.
  • Winger: go as the eight receives.
  • Striker: hold it, set it, then attack the box.

Formations this drill suits

4-3-3 (11v11) drills

Add this drill to a session plan โ†’

Make it easier

  • Unopposed patterns

Make it harder

  • Add two live defenders

AttackersDefendersKeeper / neutral- - โ†’ Passโ†’ Runใ€ฐโ†’ Dribble

Questions about this drill?

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4-3-3 third-man run to the striker

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4-2-3-1: finding the number 10 between the lines

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