SOCCER

The back four defenders must play as one unit around the entire defensive half of the field. Most often teams will use one central defender (stopper) as a man for man marker and the second as a sweeper or covering defender. Some teams opt for a ‘"flat back four" with both central defenders sharing the responsibility of marking. This system is often preferred with the "offside trap" tactics. The advantage of a 4-3-3 system is that it also allows more freedom for the two wide defenders to attack.

• Must play as one unit around the entire defensive half of the field.
• Maintain compactness to support each other and avoid being spread out.
• Must play as one unit up and down the wide channel with the midfield and wide forward.
• Provide instant width when building possession from the back.
• Deepest defender acts as the leader for providing information to the other three defenders.
• Disciplined in maintaining defensive responsibility, even when their team is attacking.
• Ability to defend on a 1 v 1 basis. Knowing when to delay and when to challenge an oncoming opponent.
• Support both the middle and wide midfield players by providing an option of an overlap or a supporting position behind the ball.

• Must play as one unit around the entire defensive half of the field.
• Maintain compactness to support each other and avoid being spread out.
• Must play as one unit up and down the center channel with the midfield and forwards.
• Communicate well with co-center back, knowing when to mark tight and when to drop deeper into a supporting position.
• Provide central cover when building possession from the back.
• Deepest defender acts as the leader for providing information to the other three defenders.
• Disciplined in maintaining defensive responsibility, even when their team is attacking.
• Ability to defend on a 1 v 1 basis. Knowing when to delay and when to challenge an oncoming opponent.
• Support both the middle and wide midfield players by providing an passing option behind the ball.
  
  

The three midfielders are the link between offense and defense and must operate from penalty area to penalty area. It is important to keep the shape in the midfield because of the minimum numbers. The support play should be more in behind the three forwards rather than runs beyond them.

• Must play as one unit across the middle of the field and interchange positions with each other.
• Understanding of "when" and "where" to use cross-over plays, diagonal runs versus straight runs, playing to feet or space and running with or without the ball.
• Must play as one unit up and down the field with the defenders and forwards.
• Maintain shape in the middle of the field and not become too isolated from each other.
• Team organizers and pace setters. Increase and lower the team tempo when needed.
• Use of cross over runs to create space for open passes when defenders are looking to play from the back. Getting possession of the ball from defense and carrying it forward.
• Use of deep probing runs into the attacking third to loose markers while attacking.
• Provide defensive cover if both wide midfielders attack and are in advanced positions. One midfielder may have to remain in a deep defensive position to stop any swift counter attack if the ball is lost.
• Track opponents attacking midfield runs deep into their own penalty area.
• Short quality passes to forwards feet and long well paced passes expose area behind the opponent’s defenders.
• Frequent use of "give and go" passes to link up with each other.
• Frequent use of "give and go" passes to link up with forwards.
• Constantly playing with the head up to scan the field and instantly assess the best forward passing option.

Due to the bonus of having an extra attacking player there is more freedom for the interchanging of positions.
The wide forward should exchange runs with the central striker to create space in the flank areas. Moreover, the
wide player will have more opportunities to interact with the wide midfielder.