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

What is the 4-3-3? What are its advantages and disadvantages? What drills to use to refine your 4-3-3 tactic? Discover our complete guide on the 4-3-3 formation.

Soccer is a sport full of tactics and strategies. Choosing your match tactic isn't always simple and hesitation is part of the game. After exploring the 4-2-3-1 tactic and the 3-5-2 tactic, we present in this article the complete guide to the 4-3-3.

1. What is the 4-3-3 in soccer?
2. Tactics: how to play the 4-3-3?
3. What training drills to use to work on the 4-3-3?
4. What defensive positioning in 4-3-3?
5. The offensive movement of the 4-3-3 in soccer
6. The strengths of the 4-3-3 formation
7. The weaknesses of the 4-3-3 system
8. The 4-3-3: the famous example of Jürgen Klopp's Liverpool
9. The 4-3-3, a versatile tactic

What is the 4-3-3 in soccer?

The 4-3-3 tactic consists of:

• 4 defenders
• 3 midfielders
• 3 attackers

The 4-3-3 in soccer is one of the most popular tactics that also inspires dreams. Very appreciated by Jürgen Klopp at Liverpool or by Pep Guardiola during his Catalan episode, the 4-3-3 is also one of the most complicated tactics to implement where rigor and organization must be perfectly linked. However, it is considered a balanced formation.

The 4-3-3 with a high point

You notably have several choices in midfield, such as playing with a true number 6, Sergio Busquets for example, and two players higher up with a box-to-box profile like Iniesta and Xavi (Pep Guardiola's FC Barcelona). You can also decide to play with two players in front of the defense and one player higher up who has the responsibilities of a number 10.

The 4-3-3 with a low point

Moreover, the 4-3-3 allows for uniform distribution of players on the field. Finally, overlaps on the flanks are the great strength of this formation thanks to the possibility of playing with true wingers on the sides of the attack, playing in relay with the advancing fullbacks.

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

The key to a 4-3-3 tactic lies in its coordination between the different lines of the team. The defense must communicate precisely to stay solid and as a block to stay compact. In case of fullback overlaps, coordination must also be done with the midfielders so that, if necessary, they take their place.

Ball recovery happens mainly in midfield. These midfielders must be the bridge between the defense, relatively high, and the attack. Short play as well as long play, the midfielders of a 4-3-3 must be technically impeccable to combine in tight spaces as well as to open up the play.

In attack, the wingers must be fast and sufficiently skilled at dribbling to create differences to serve their number 9, generally precise in finishing. This center forward must be mobile and it's not uncommon to see them drop off to create space.

On the defensive side, upon losing the ball, counter-pressing pairs very well with a 4-3-3 formation. To recall, the goal of the latter is that as soon as the ball is lost, the players stay high and try to recover the ball as quickly as possible. If this isn't possible, the wingers must make defensive efforts to get back into position and cover for their fullbacks.

As you'll have understood, physical condition is very important to play the 4-3-3. Don't hesitate to work on these aspects in training.

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

As mentioned previously, implementing a 4-3-3 for your team requires work. Specific drills can help your players understand this tactic. Here are some examples:

1. Rapid transition drills: these drills allow you to simulate game situations where the team goes from defense to attack in the blink of an eye. This will improve the players' reactivity and their ability to exploit counter-attacks.
2. Positioning drills: they allow you to work on your players' positioning within the 4-3-3 framework, particularly by emphasizing the creation and maintenance of passing lines.
3. Combination drills: they will help your players combine in crucial zones like the flanks. This can be done through small-sided games or real game situations.

To work on the 4-3-3 during your next training session, here's a drill used by Jürgen Klopp at Liverpool, in which he emphasizes build-up play and forward play with 3 midfielders.

Discover all the instructions on the detailed sheet of this build-up and forward play drill in 4-3-3 by Jürgen Klopp.

Build-up and forward play in 4-3-3 by Jürgen Klopp

If you're looking for more drill examples, don't hesitate to consult our article dedicated to 4-3-3 training drills focused on pressing.

What defensive positioning in 4-3-3?

The key to the 4-3-3, as mentioned previously, is to be able to find a balance between attack and defense. Let's focus first on defensive positioning in 4-3-3 and the role of each player to make this tactic work well.

What role for central defenders in 4-3-3?

Central defenders are the heart of the defense in a 4-3-3 system. Their main responsibility is to secure the central zone in front of the goal, preventing opposing attackers from finding spaces to shoot or pass. Great tactical awareness is required to anticipate and see the play before others. These players must excel in aerial duels and sliding or standing tackles. It was Paolo Maldini who said that a good defender was a standing defender.

In a 4-3-3, the two central defenders must work in tandem. They represent a duo within a collective, with good communication and perfect coordination to cover the spaces left by their partners in case of movement. One can position themselves slightly forward to intercept passes while the other stays back to cover potential breaks of the defensive line.

What positioning for fullbacks?

Fullbacks also have a crucial role in defense in the 4-3-3. Their main task is to control the flanks of the field, preventing opposing wingers from penetrating the goal area, first, or, secondly, crossing the ball. The priority is the defensive axis by covering for the central defenders.

In the defensive phase, fullbacks must stay aligned with the central defenders to form a compact back line (watch the alignment) that's difficult to break through. They must also be ready at all times to drop back quickly in case of a counter-attack, closing spaces on the wings and helping to cover the central defenders if necessary.

The contribution of midfield?

As their position indicates, midfielders are not defenders but their role is just as important in the defensive phase in 4-3-3. The midfielder is responsible for protecting the defense and recovering the ball. The defensive midfielder, often positioned in front of the central defenders, acts as a protective screen, intercepting passes and disrupting opposing offensive actions while being the first solution for build-up play to break lines.

Box-to-box midfielders must combine their efforts to cover spaces and support fullbacks in case of opposing overlaps. Their ability to press high on the field also allows reducing the time and space available to opponents to organize their attacks, thus forcing errors and ball recoveries in dangerous zones for the opponent.

Attackers, shadow defenders in 4-3-3?

In the 4-3-3 system, attackers play an often underestimated role in defense. Wingers, in particular, are required to drop back to help fullbacks, thus forming a first line of defense against opposing advances. As with central defenders, wingers and their fullbacks are also a duo within a collective.

The center forward, or striker, participates in pressing by harassing opposing central defenders, forcing them to play long and less precise balls. Their position is often between these two players. This constant pressure from attackers is essential to maintain a high and compact defense, making it difficult for the opponent to progress in an organized manner.

The offensive movement of the 4-3-3 in soccer

Now that we've just seen how to defend well in 4-3-3 and the role of each player in all parts of the field, let's do the same with the offensive movement of this tactic.

Fullbacks as an offensive advantage

Fullbacks play a key role in the offensive movement of a 4-3-3. Their ability to advance on the wings offers additional options and widens the field, creating spaces for midfielders and attackers. When they advance, they can deliver precise crosses to the center forward or wingers or combine with midfielders to penetrate deeper into the opposing defense.

Fullbacks must be technically competent to dribble and pass under pressure. Today, these fullbacks are also called "pistons" in certain systems. They are more offensive and score more and more, hence their rarity and price on the transfer market.

Midfield as the metronome

The midfield in a 4-3-3 is the engine of the team. Composed generally of a defensive midfielder and two box-to-box midfielders, it must orchestrate the play by quickly transitioning from defense to attack. The defensive midfielder, although primarily charged with protecting the defense, must also be capable of distributing the ball effectively to launch attacks, they see quickly, well, and before everyone like Sergio Busquets or Rodri under Pep Guardiola.

Box-to-box midfielders have a versatile role. They must support attackers by advancing into free spaces and providing decisive passes. Their mobility and vision of play are crucial to create space and shooting opportunities. Triangle play has no secrets for them.

Attack on all fronts

In a 4-3-3, wingers, often fast and skillful, seek to get past opposing fullbacks and penetrate the penalty area to shoot or cross. Their ability to dribble and eliminate opponents creates numerical superiority situations in attack. They must be very coordinated with the midfield but also the fullbacks.

The center forward must be capable of playing as a pivot, controlling the ball and making lay-offs for teammates like, for example, Karim Benzema at Real Madrid with Carlo Ancelotti, during the 2021-22 season where he won the Ballon d'Or. Their role isn't only to score goals but also to create spaces for wingers and box-to-box midfielders by attracting opposing defenders. Their intelligent positioning and ability to exploit free spaces are decisive for the success of the offensive movement.

The strengths of the 4-3-3 formation

The 4-3-3 offers several strengths which make it a very attractive tactic for coaches in the amateur and professional world.

This tactic offers:

1. Good distribution of players on the field.
2. A balance between defense and attack.
3. Compact presence in midfield with 3 players, particularly practical for triangle play and to escape opposing pressing.
4. The presence of wingers who widen the opposing defense.
5. Danger through the center or the flanks.

The weaknesses of the 4-3-3 system

Like any tactic, the 4-3-3 doesn't only have strengths and has several weaknesses that must be kept in mind as a coach. Here are its limits:

1. Tactic very easily counterable if wingers and midfielders don't go beyond their functions.
2. Major contribution from fullbacks who must be able to respond physically.
3. Requires great technical precision, particularly for midfielders who orchestrate the play.
4. Also requires having fast and enduring wide players in the squad.

The 4-3-3: the famous example of Jürgen Klopp's Liverpool

We all know Jürgen Klopp since his time at Borussia Dortmund with a very particular style of play characterized by a lot of intensity and rhythm. The main asset of his 4-3-3 formation is to be able to use offensive-defensive transitions in the best possible way. He has greatly used counter-pressing in his different 4-3-3 formations. During gegenpressing, your players will press deliberately and in an organized manner to regain possession of the ball as quickly as possible. In a 4-3-3 tactic, there will be a double objective:

1. Reduce counter-attack chances for the opposing team.
2. Regain control of the ball to continue as quickly as possible and take advantage of the opponent's imbalance.

Arriving at Liverpool in 2015, Jürgen Klopp immediately implemented his style of play with success. Jürgen Klopp's Liverpool playing in 4-3-3 won among others the Premier League in 2019 and 2020 as well as the Champions League in 2019. Liverpool was then playing in a 4-3-3 with a low point:

Jürgen Klopp's Liverpool 4-3-3 with low point

During the period from 2018 to 2020, Jürgen Klopp's Liverpool and their 4-3-3 faced many teams and often found solutions against different opposing tactics, such as:

• Defensively solid opponents who try to be constantly in defensive numerical superiority against this 4-3-3.
• Opponents who defend deep on the field to limit the imbalance caused by a potential counter-press.

Central defenders in Liverpool's 4-3-3

In Jürgen Klopp's Liverpool 4-3-3, the 3 main central defenders were Van Dijk, Gomez, and Matip, with Lovren as backup. Central defenders participate in build-up play, particularly during switches of play, to allow fluidity in ball circulation. The objective of central defenders in this 4-3-3 is to find a midfielder to break the first opposing defensive line, or to find a fullback along the line to stretch the opposing block. Central defenders can also play long, particularly Virgil Van Dijk, who allows finding one of the 3 attacking players directly.

The role of fullbacks in this 4-3-3 formation

In a 4-3-3, fullbacks allow using the full width of the field while giving rhythm and intensity to their team. During offensive phases, fullbacks allow covering for wingers to potentially seek to cross. In Liverpool's 4-3-3 formation, it was Alexander-Arnold and Robertson who played this role to perfection. The last important aspect of fullbacks in a 4-3-3 tactic is their ability to make diagonal runs behind the defense on the weak side.

The box-to-box defensive midfielder: Fabinho

The box-to-box defensive midfielder of Liverpool's 4-3-3 in the 2018-2020 years was Fabinho and his role was to perform the link between the defensive line and midfield. It's often him who sets the tempo of his team. His ability to make quick decisions under pressure is key: it's him who will often start the offensive movement of a low-point 4-3-3.

Central midfielders and their contributions in this 4-3-3

In this 4-3-3 with a low point, the two central midfielders must show adaptability and be very complete, both defensively and offensively. They must show athletic qualities to constantly offer solutions to their defenders or box-to-box midfielder. Players who played in this position in Jürgen Klopp's 4-3-3 are: Henderson, Wijnaldum, Keïta, Milner, or Chamberlain. Finally, they will push forward to create numerical superiority during offensive play phases.

The role of attacking players in a 4-3-3

During the 2018-2019 season, the 3 most famous players of this 4-3-3 formation are obviously the attacking trio Salah (27 goals), Firmino (16 goals), and Mané (26 goals). Whether it's Salah or Mané, they are very comfortable technically and can therefore eliminate their direct opponent, which will create an imbalance in the opposing defense and open passing angles for Firmino. The center forward of this 4-3-3 (Firmino) is an excellent back-to-goal player, which allows him to lose very few balls and serve as support (one-twos) for the two wingers.

The 4-3-3, a versatile tactic

To conclude, the 4-3-3 offers everything of a versatile soccer tactic. The balance between the different lines of the field is an undeniable positive aspect. By using the right training drills adapted to the 4-3-3, differences can quickly be made by your players.

However, playing in 4-3-3 implies a squad tailored for it. Fast, enduring, and technically clean players must be present. If this tactic takes hold, you'll be able to offer pleasant and attractive soccer.

Don't hesitate to test implementing a 4-3-3 with your team. If you see it's not working, reorganize into a 4-2-3-1 to secure your defense. It's not uncommon to see professional formations positioned in 4-2-3-1 in the defensive phase then in 4-3-3 in the offensive phase.

Whatever the case, coordination and communication must reign to lead your team and your tactic to victory.

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