Playing out from the back · 11v11 3-4-3

Playing out from the back in a 3-4-3

A 3-4-3 has three at the back against the two strikers most teams press with, so there's a spare defender from the start. The two central midfielders stagger, the wing-backs give width, and the front three can come inside into the pockets because the wing-backs are already wide. It's a shape that makes the pitch big for your defenders.

Step 1 of 5

Goal kick against a 4-4-2. Three at the back against two strikers: one defender is always free.

Drawn for 11v11 3-4-3. Pick your own format and shape and every step is redrawn for your players. Then present it or send it to your team.

Step by step

Goal kick against a 4-4-2. Three at the back against two strikers: one defender is always free.
Wing-backs high, central pair staggered, wide forwards in the pockets.
Keeper to the left centre-back. Their striker presses, so the centre-back is still the free one.
Carry it forward. Their wide midfielder must leave our wing-back.
Down the line to the wing-back; the wide forward spins in behind their full-back.

When to use it

From goal kicks and settled possession, especially against a 4-4-2 press.

Coaching points

Back three spread: one defender is always free against two strikers.
Wing-backs high and wide to pin their wide midfielders.
The two central midfielders stagger so one is always open.
The wide forwards come inside into the pockets between their full-back and centre-back.
The free centre-back carries it forward and picks the pass.

Who does what

Position	Their job
Back three	Spread wide, the free one carries it forward.
Central pair	Stagger: one short, one high; rotate.
Wing-backs	Width and the forward pass down the line.
Wide forwards	Come inside into the pockets.
Striker	Pins the centre-backs, runs in behind.

When they change it

If they…	You…
Their wide midfielders mark our wing-backs	Their full-backs can't follow our wide forwards into the pockets. Play into the pocket.
They push a midfielder onto our free centre-back	Their midfield is now short: play into our central pair.
They drop deep	Our back three carries it into midfield.

Common mistakes

Wing-backs and wide forwards both hugging the touchline.
The free centre-back passing sideways instead of stepping forward.
The central pair standing level.

At 7v7, 9v9 and 11v11

7v7: At 7v7, a 3-2-1 has the same back three idea.
9v9: At 9v9, a 3-2-3 is the same shape with fewer midfielders.
11v11: The board: an 11v11 3-4-3 against a 4-4-2 press.

See the full 11v11 3-4-3 formation guide for the shape, positions and drills.

Drills to practise it

3-4-3 wide triangle rotation

U13 to adult · 6 to 10 plus a keeper

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Back three against a two-striker press

U12 to adult · 7 to 10 plus a keeper

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Centre-back step-in (carry the ball forward)

U11 to adult · 6 to 10 plus a keeper

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Front three interchange

U11 to adult · 3 to 6 plus a keeper

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Full-back: receive, drive, combine

U11 to adult · 4 to 8

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Questions coaches ask

Is a 3-4-3 good for playing out?

Very. Against two strikers there's always a spare defender, and the wing-backs and wide forwards give options at different heights.

What do the wide forwards do in a 3-4-3?

They come inside into the pockets, because the wing-backs give the width.

What if we keep losing the ball when we play out?

Expect it at first. Keep the shape, practise the same patterns in training under light pressure, and judge the decision rather than the result. If a game is getting away from you, it's fine to mix in a longer pass to the striker for a spell.

More tactics boards

With the ball

Playing out from the back

How to play out from the back at grassroots level: the goal-kick shape, making the pitch big, the third player, and what to do when they press. Animated at 7v7.

Watch it →

Without the ball

Pressing in a 3-4-3

How a 3-4-3 presses: front three against their back line, wing-backs jumping, the central pair stepping onto their midfield. Animated board.

Watch it →

With the ball

Getting it wide

How to use the width of the pitch: pull the defence to one side, switch it quickly and attack the space with a 1v1 or 2v1. With roles, mistakes and drills.

Watch it →

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