Penetrating Patterns in a 4-3-3

SoccerSpecific

Penetrating Patterns in a 4-3-3 is a perfect session to use on the day before match day, as the team goes through some simple but essential patterns to penetrate in the 4-3-3 formation. The session is functional in nature, working on key qualities for each position in the formation.

For more great activities and sessions, please visit our Learning Library!


Penetrating Patterns in a 4-3-3

1.

Setup:

10 player finishing patterns- 3 finishes. Balls start at A. B, C and D. 4 mannequins set up as above.

Penetrating Patterns in a 4-3-3 Image 1 | SoccerSpecific.com

Instructions:

  1. Ball starts at A, ball circulates through the CB’s, played up to ST, back to CM and through for WF.
  2. Ball starts at B- CM lays off to the ST who plays back to AM and then in behind for CM (up back through); they take a positive first touch to goal and strikes on goal.
  3. Ball starts at A, ball circulates through the CB’s, played into WF, back to CM, wide to OB for cross and finish.
  4. Player at B makes a run to receive a long pass from D to receive and go to goal.

    Next set starts from left side.

Coaching Points:

  • Speed of play on circulation
  • Quality of passes- repetition
  • Quality of crosses and finish- if you can’t score, set someone up

2.

Setup:

10 player finishing patterns 2- 3 finishes. Balls start at A. B, C and D. 4 mannequins set up as above.

Penetrating Patterns in a 4-3-3 Image 2 | SoccerSpecific.com

Instructions:

  1. Ball starts at A, ball circulates through the CB’s, played up to ST, back to CM and through for WF.
  2. Ball starts at B- CM lays off to the ST who plays back to AM and then in behind for CM (up back through); they take a positive first touch to goal and strikes on goal.
  3. Ball starts at A, ball circulates through the CB’s, played into WF, back to CM, wide to OB for cross and finish.
  4. Player at B makes a run to receive a long pass from D to receive and go to goal.

    Next set starts from left side.

Coaching Points:

  • Speed of play on circulation
  • Quality of passes- repetition
  • Quality of crosses and finish- if you can’t score, set someone up

3.

Setup:

10 player finishing patterns- 3 finishes. Balls start at A. B, C and D. 4 mannequins set up as above.

Penetrating Patterns in a 4-3-3 Image 3 | SoccerSpecific.com

Instructions:

  1. Ball starts at A, ball circulates through the CB’s, played up to ST, back to CM and through for WF.
  2. Ball starts at B- CM lays off to the ST who plays back to AM and then in behind for CM (up back through); they take a positive first touch to goal and strikes on goal.
  3. Ball starts at A, ball circulates through the CB’s, played into WF, back to CM, wide to OB for cross and finish.
  4. Player at B makes a run to receive a long pass from D to receive and go to goal.

    Next set starts from left side.

Coaching Points:

  • Speed of play on circulation
  • Quality of passes- repetition
  • Quality of crosses and finish- if you can’t score, set someone up

4.

Setup:

10 player finishing patterns- 3 finishes. Balls start at A. B, C and D. 5 mannequins set up as above.

Penetrating Patterns in a 4-3-3 Image 4 | SoccerSpecific.com

Instructions:

  1. Ball starts at A, ball circulates through the CB’s, played up to ST, back to CM and through for WF.
  2. Ball starts at B- CM lays off to the ST who plays back to AM and then in behind for CM (up back through); they take a positive first touch to goal and strikes on goal.
  3. Ball starts at D with an aerial pass for deep CM to control (aerial) and finish.
  4. Player at B makes a run to receive a long pass from D to receive and go to goal.

    Next set starts from left side.

Coaching Points:

  • Speed of play on circulation
  • Quality of passes- repetition
  • Quality of crosses and finish- if you can’t score, set someone up