How to coach 4-3-3

England destroyed Spain playing 4-3-3 in the Nations League earlier this month and with the likes of Manchester City, Liverpool, Chelsea and Leeds playing the formation it could be the dream formation for your team this season.

With the growing popularity of the 4-3-3 system these are my favourite sessions for each part of the tactic:

The 4-3-3 tactic is a great attacking formation with a strong traditional back four. The three man midfield can play in different tactical styles with attacking and defending players. Three strikers usually form a potent front line with the centre forward stretching the opponents’ defensive line.

Work the back four is a defending tactics session in which you can structure the back four against opposing attacks with different formations. It is an excellent session when preparing for playing 4-3-3 on match day.

Midfielders have a number of roles to play in 4-3-3. Use Develop a three-man midfield to develop a three-player midfield both in attack and defence. This is a fantastic way to work your players with and without the ball which includes pressing, covering, supporting, switching play, fast passing and shooting

Up front you need your three strikers to work together to create goals. Attacking as a front three trains strikers to create and combine in overload situations, giving them help in recognising goalscoring opportunities, shooting early, or passing to team mates in better positions

Tactics tips This session puts the formation 4-3-3 into a match situation using it to break down the 3-5-2 system being used by many teams. It is about applying immediate pressure to the opposition when they have the ball. To win the ball back as quickly as possible and then punish them on the counter attack.

11v11 formations 4-3-3
Work the back four
Develop a 3-man midfield
Attacking as a front three
Tactics tips – 4-3-3 to beat 3-5-2