11v11 · 56 drills

4-3-3 drills

Rondos, patterns of play and pressing practices that fit a 4-3-3, plus a session plan you can run this week.

The best way to coach a 4-3-3 is to train the moments the shape creates. Full-backs overlap the wingers; the 8s make third-man runs. Front three press high, curving runs to show play one way.

Your assistant coach: line your squad up in it, track who played where and see if it gets results.

📋 Put my squad in this shape ⏱ Track a match in it ⚖️ Compare it with my shape

With the ball

Full-backs overlap the wingers; the 8s make third-man runs.
The holding midfielder drops between centre-backs to build out.

Without the ball

Front three press high, curving runs to show play one way.
Midfield three slide across and protect the centre.

4-3-3 formation guide: positions, strengths and weaknesses →

Pick your team in this shape →

A 4-3-3 session plan (75 minutes)

Warm-up (10 min): Third-man passing pattern (Y shape). Everyone on the ball from the first minute.
Rondo / technique (15 min): 4-3-3 midfield triangle rondo (6v3). Short, sharp decisions under a little pressure.
Main practice (20 min): 4-2-3-1: finding the number 10 between the lines. Focus: attacking play, built for your formation.
Game (30 min): Conditioned game: free wide zones. Finish with a game: it's what they came for, and the best test of the session.

Got fewer players this week? Build a session for your numbers →

Rondos for a 4-3-3

4v1 rondo

Rondos · 5 (or groups of 5) · U8 to adult

Rondo with transition (U11 to U13)

Rondos · 9 to 12 · U11 to U13

4v2 rondo

Rondos · 6 (or groups of 6) · U10 to adult

4-3-3 midfield triangle rondo (6v3)

Rondos · 9 · U13 to adult

Directional rondo: play through the lines

Rondos · 9 to 11 · U11 to adult

4-3-3 patterns of play and build-up

4-3-3 full-back overlap with the winger

Patterns of play · 8 to 12 plus a keeper · U12 to adult

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

Patterns of play · 6 to 10 plus a keeper · U13 to adult

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

Patterns of play · 12 to 14 · U13 to adult

Playing out from the back 3v2 (plus keeper)

Build-up play · 6 to 8 · U9 to adult

Split centre-backs and the dropping midfielder

Build-up play · 8 to 10 plus a keeper · U12 to adult

4-3-3 underlapping number 8

Patterns of play · 6 to 10 plus a keeper · U12 to adult

Goal kick: short to the full-back

Build-up play · 6 to 10 plus a keeper · U10 to adult

Keeper to centre-back to the 6 (pivot turns)

Build-up play · 6 to 10 plus a keeper · U11 to adult

Back three against a two-striker press

Build-up play · 7 to 10 plus a keeper · U12 to adult

Build-up to midfield gates (6v4)

Build-up play · 10 plus a keeper · U11 to adult

Inverted full-back build-up

Build-up play · 8 to 12 plus a keeper · U14 to adult

The 6 drops between the centre-backs

Build-up play · 7 to 10 plus a keeper · U12 to adult

Switch across the back line

Build-up play · 6 to 10 plus a keeper · U11 to adult

Escape the wide trap

Build-up play · 6 to 9 plus a keeper · U12 to adult

Phase of play: 7v6 build-up with counter goals

Build-up play · 13 plus a keeper · U12 to adult

Centre-backs: find the free goal

Build-up play · 4 to 6 · U11 to adult

Holding midfielder: always be diagonal

Build-up play · 5 to 7 plus a keeper · U11 to adult

Full-back: receive, drive, combine

Build-up play · 4 to 8 · U11 to adult

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

Patterns of play · 8 to 11 plus a keeper · U12 to adult

4-3-3: byline and cut-back to the arriving eight

Patterns of play · 6 to 10 plus a keeper · U11 to adult

4-3-3: wide triangle rotation

Patterns of play · 4 to 8 plus a keeper · U12 to adult

4-3-3: striker drops, midfielder runs beyond

Patterns of play · 6 to 9 plus a keeper · U12 to adult

4-3-3: build through the free eight

Patterns of play · 9 to 15 plus keepers · U12 to adult

Pressing, defending and transitions

High press in a 4-3-3: front three shape

Pressing · 12 to 16 including keepers · U13 to adult

Counter-attack 3v2 to goal

Transitions · 8 to 14 plus keepers · U10 to adult

1v1 defending: show them outside

Defending · 6 to 16 · U8 to adult

Back line shifting with the ball

Defending · 8 to 12 plus a keeper · U12 to adult

Defending crosses in the box

Defending · 8 to 12 plus a keeper · U11 to adult

Back four: step up and drop together

Defending · 4 to 8 defenders plus attackers · U12 to adult

Holding the line (offside awareness)

Defending · 8 to 14 plus a keeper · U13 to adult

Also works well

Possession with neutrals (4v4+2)

Possession · 10 · U9 to adult

Switching play: 4v4 + 2 across three zones

Passing · 10 · U11 to adult

Third-man passing pattern (Y shape)

Passing · 6 to 10 · U11 to adult

Cross and finish: near post, far post

Shooting and finishing · 8 to 14 plus a keeper · U10 to adult

Striker movement: check away, then go

Shooting and finishing · 4 to 10 plus a keeper · U10 to adult

Conditioned game: free wide zones

Small-sided games · 12 to 18 · U9 to adult

Long driven passing in pairs

Passing · Pairs (whole squad) · U12 to adult

Cut inside and shoot

Shooting and finishing · 6 to 12 plus a keeper · U10 to adult

Wide 1v1: beat the full-back and cross

1v1 · 6 to 12 plus a keeper · U10 to adult

Cut-back finishing (pull-back to the spot)

Shooting and finishing · 6 to 14 plus a keeper · U11 to adult

Drills for other 11v11 formations

3-5-2 drills 4-4-2 drills 4-2-3-1 drills 3-4-3 drills

Ask about coaching the 4-3-3

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Questions

What drills suit a 4-3-3?

Start with a rondo that copies the shape (4v1 rondo), then practise the patterns the shape creates: full-backs overlap the wingers; the 8s make third-man runs. Finish with a game where your team plays the 4-3-3.

How do you train a 4-3-3 without the whole squad?

Work in units: the back line and holding players on build-up, the attackers on their combinations, then bring them together in a phase of play. Every drill here lists how many players it needs.