Tactics: How to Play in a 3-4-3?

The 3-4-3, fairly little used in amateur soccer given its complexity, can nevertheless prove to be a very effective playing system. With its 3 defenders, just like the 3-5-2 formation, it comes in flat or diamond. The flat 3-4-3 was used by Conte at Chelsea during the 2016/2017 season, while the diamond 3-4-3 was popularized by Johan Cruyff at FC Barcelona.

1. What is the 3-4-3 in soccer?
2. Tactics: how to play the 3-4-3 effectively?
3. What are the strengths of the 3-4-3 system?
4. The weaknesses of the 3-4-3 in soccer
5. What training drills to use to work on the 3-4-3?
6. Conclusion on the 3-4-3 formation

What is the 3-4-3 in soccer?

The 3-4-3 is a soccer formation that allows playing with 3 defenders, 4 midfielders, and 3 attacking players. It's a playing system that reserves nice surprises, because contrary to what one might imagine, it's very strongly oriented toward the offensive aspect.

The 3-4-3 comes in different ways, and we'll focus here on the 2 most common formations: the flat 3-4-3 and the diamond 3-4-3. In both cases, the 3-4-3 breaks down into 3 lines, with the 4 midfielders who will create a fairly compact zone in the center.

The different lines of the 3-4-3

This 3-4-3 formation has been used by many professional teams, including for example Thomas Tuchel's Borussia Dortmund or Antonio Conte's Chelsea. But then how to evolve effectively in 3-4-3? What are the advantages and disadvantages of this playing system? How to propose quality offensive movement in 3-4-3 while maintaining defensive balance? We'll give you the keys with this complete guide to the 3-4-3 formation. Vamonos! (little wink to our Spanish friends)

Tactics: how to play the 3-4-3 effectively?

What midfield disposition in 3-4-3?

If you want to implement a 3-4-3 formation, you'll have the possibility to choose between 2 midfield dispositions:

1. The flat 3-4-3: it's the most widespread because simpler to implement. Your midfielders position themselves flat to form only one line.
2. The diamond 3-4-3: here, your midfielders will form a diamond, "or diamond as the English say... because they have more money" (connoisseurs will recognize the reference).

Flat midfield in a 3-4-3 formation

Diamond midfield in a 3-4-3 formation

Tactical system in 3-4-3 and offensive movement

What is the best offensive movement in 3-4-3? This will depend on the formation you've favored in midfield. If you opt for a flat 3-4-3, the offensive movement will focus on:

• Fullbacks will play a primordial role in the offensive movement of the 3-4-3. They'll be very solicited, hence the importance of having fullbacks with good physical condition (or always having quality replacements).
• In the offensive phase, the 2 central midfielders will play relatively high to bring their support to attacking players and especially find passing angles to the 2 attacking players positioned on the sides.

Build-up play on the sides in a 3-4-3 playing system

If you use a diamond 3-4-3, we advise you to insist on the two number 8s by giving them the instruction to move toward the sides in the offensive phase, before freeing a space, in which the central defender can progress before playing directly to an attacker. In a diamond 3-4-3, if the number 8s are in possession of the ball, it can be interesting to seek the diagonal and play to the opposite attacker to create an imbalance in the opposing defense.

Defensive positioning in 3-4-3

With a 3-4-3 tactic, defensive positioning is surely the most delicate aspect. First of all, you'll need to ensure that you have 3 quality central defenders, with build-up play qualities. The 3-4-3 is above all a possession game, so the quality of defenders' build-up play will play a key role.

As soon as the ball is lost, you'll ask your players to perform counter-pressing ("gegenpressing") to recover the ball as quickly as possible to not be in danger on the flanks.

Example of counter-pressing (with a 4-5-1 formation)

What are the strengths of the 3-4-3 system?

The 3-4-3 playing system has many advantages, both on the offensive and defensive points. Here are some of the main strengths of the 3-4-3:

1. Numerical superiority in midfield, without abandoning the wings, can prove formidable against a team playing in a 4-4-2 playing system.
2. You can benefit from very rapid forward play thanks to the natural verticality that the 3-4-3 offers with these 3 attacking players.
3. The defensive-offensive transition is simplified thanks to strong density in midfield.

The weaknesses of the 3-4-3 in soccer

Obviously, the 3-4-3 formation isn't perfect and you'll need to be attentive to different points, such as:

1. Numerical inferiority on the wings can be problematic, unless you ask your attackers to perform a defensive retreat to bring their support to wide players.
2. Positioning on the field can be difficult to grasp for some players who aren't used to playing in 3-4-3. Even if you work on positional play, the 3-4-3 requires thinking outside the classic positioning and sometimes finding yourself between 2 positions. So think about working well on this playing system before applying it in an official match.
3. By definition, the 3-4-3 only contains 3 defenders, which can make the defensive task more complicated. You'll therefore be more inclined to concede a counter-attack, especially against a formation playing with a 4-3-3 tactic. So think about reminding your players well that they can switch to 5-4-1 during defensive phases (the 2 midfielders drop back one level as fullbacks, and the 2 wingers take the place of the 2 midfielders). Be careful, this type of change requires excellent coordination.

What training drills to use to work on the 3-4-3?

The first drill to work well on the particularities of the 3-4-3 is work on goalkeeper build-up play and duels in 1v2 with defender in pursuit.

Duels in 1v2 with defender in pursuit, following goalkeeper build-up play

Delimit a space of approximately 30x40m then place 2 large goals on each width. Then place 4 mini-goals in the center of the field as well as 2 cones at the same level (see animation above). Finally, place a cone near each large goal. Form 2 teams of 6 players and ask them to position themselves at the level of each cone.

The drill will consist of a series of duels in 2v1 then 2v2 after a short goalkeeper build-up play.

If you want to know more, consult the complete sheet of the drill to have more details on the evolutions and possible variations.

The second training drill we propose to work on a 3-4-3 formation is a finishing drill with slalom and passing sequence (without contact). It will allow you to work on finishing and rapid offensive sequences with a shot after a slalom. Very practical for replicating the offensive phases of a 3-4-3 system.

Finishing drill with slalom and passing sequence (without contact)

Head to the complete sheet if you want to know more about the detailed instructions and possible variations of this drill.

Conclusion on the 3-4-3 formation

As we've seen, the 3-4-3 formation can prove very effective when well used, with true numerical superiority in midfield. However, keep well in mind that a 3-4-3 formation can be difficult to implement at the amateur level because it requires a lot of work beforehand. So think about working well on defensive-offensive transitions and counter-pressing to put all the chances on your side.

Découvrez nos autres fiches tactiques