1 4 4 3 formation

[Granny]

What's your thoughts on back 4 without a sweeper. What coaches/teams are using this formation and how are you dealing with and over coming with the problems of getting caught out with a "flat back 4". I've always preferred to play and coach zonal positioning " but playing with a sweeper.

[pvfc]

1-4-4-3? I would just call that cheating!

Sweeper? - what century are we in?

[Super_Trooper]

Depending on the team - Flat 4 asks for offside opportunities and unless you have a fit quick backline the last thing you want is for the quick break to slip thru and you're done..

I've mucked around with a 3-4-2-1 works quite well if your wide midfielders are fit enough to almost play a running back position to help the defence out when needed (corners etc). Found by having an abundance of strength through the midfield it generally kept the ball well away from defence anyways and if there was a quick break it was usually covered

Can only play 3 in backline against teams that dont play wide very well otherwise best to have that 4th defender in there.. with only 3 the two wide players get drawn out too easily leaving gaps in the middle

If I have 4 in the backline i like having the two centre defenders work off each other rather than say you are a stopper - you are a sweeper..

FFA coaching wording is very much against the use of the terms 'sweeper and stopper' anyways... Very 1980's!!!

[neits/burgo/shadow]

Presuming you actually mean 1-4-3-3....

I am all for it. It's not easy to teach a new team a new system, especially if they have been playing with a sweeper most of the time. But its not impossible. It just takes time, persistence and accepting that mistakes can happen when you try something new.

I also think if you as a coach want to play this system, you need to be surrounded with people who are experienced with it, learn from these people and try transfer those concepts into your own team. Again, it may not be perfect straight away, but if we all decided it was too hard and went back to 'old school' football, the game here in Adelaide will only fall behind other states even more.

My job as a coach is to get as many of my players into state teams, development programs, Adelaide United and National teams. All of these teams play a 1-4-3-3 (or similar variations). It is my responsibility to prepare them for this so they have the best chance to be selected.

Vote #1 for 1-4-3-3 !!

[Super_Trooper]

I love the 4-3-3 and FFA is pushing for all teams to play this structure... I know at Adelaide City from the head coach (Edoardo) he is pushing for all teams to play to this structure that way as the players move from age groups up or to STIC's, state teams etc they dont have to learn a new system of play. Logical idea!

Doesnt mean that it will work straight away for each team and there is always someone who knows better..

I play with a different structure because frankly my div 1 team are what they are so we find a structure that works well for our needs and our league - training them into a 4-3-3 structure isnt always realistic for the div we are in..

As for juniors up to state/res/prem though - def. think isnt paramount!!!

[Granny]

1-4-4-3? I would just call that cheating!

Sweeper? - what century are we in?

Oh crap

yer 1 - 4 - 3 - 3

[Granny]

Presuming you actually mean 1-4-3-3....

I am all for it. It's not easy to teach a new team a new system, especially if they have been playing with a sweeper most of the time. But its not impossible. It just takes time, persistence and accepting that mistakes can happen when you try something new.

I also think if you as a coach want to play this system, you need to be surrounded with people who are experienced with it, learn from these people and try transfer those concepts into your own team. Again, it may not be perfect straight away, but if we all decided it was too hard and went back to 'old school' football, the game here in Adelaide will only fall behind other states even more.

My job as a coach is to get as many of my players into state teams, development programs, Adelaide United and National teams. All of these teams play a 1-4-3-3 (or similar variations). It is my responsibility to prepare them for this so they have the best chance to be selected.

Vote #1 for 1-4-3-3 !!

Totally agree with you there.

[southern]

I saw (especially in the state teams) a few teams that claim they play 4-3-3 actually playing 4-2-3-1...not very attaking/a bit predictable/boring. Bit stupid talking about numbers IMO. Nothing against 4-3-3, but players should be taught how to be more complete not how to play ONE system

[neits/burgo/shadow]

I saw (especially in the state teams) a few teams that claim they play 4-3-3 actually playing 4-2-3-1

...again, a very similar variation

[paul merson]

1-4-4-3? I would just call that cheating!

Sweeper? - what century are we in?

Barcenona played with one 3 weeks ago against Villareal.

Played a 3-4-3

[southern]

Then also the 4-4-2 or the 4-3-2-1 or the 4-2-4 or the 4-1-3-2...they are all similar variations! So, in other words, it's not about the 4-3-3 at all, it's about how players play! And, just saying, what's wrong with a 3-4-3 then?

[Fitz]

I play the 1-4-3-3, and it relies on pressure from the forwards and midfield to releive the back 4 of lots of the chance of getting caught flat. If the other team is behind your midfield, in the space between the 6 and the back 4, with strikers running into spaces or wide, you will be caught in a compromising position. The system relies on quick transitions, and high ball pressure further up the field. Its an excellent system when deployed correctly. High scores (as we are seeing in under-age levels) are common because players are too young to be getting into the finer details of the system that helps stop goals. Played with an intelligent team, who know the system, its an absolute joy to watch.

[Super Nala]

Presuming you actually mean 1-4-3-3....

I am all for it. It's not easy to teach a new team a new system, especially if they have been playing with a sweeper most of the time. But its not impossible. It just takes time, persistence and accepting that mistakes can happen when you try something new.

I also think if you as a coach want to play this system, you need to be surrounded with people who are experienced with it, learn from these people and try transfer those concepts into your own team. Again, it may not be perfect straight away, but if we all decided it was too hard and went back to 'old school' football, the game here in Adelaide will only fall behind other states even more.

My job as a coach is to get as many of my players into state teams, development programs, Adelaide United and National teams. All of these teams play a 1-4-3-3 (or similar variations). It is my responsibility to prepare them for this so they have the best chance to be selected.

Vote #1 for 1-4-3-3 !!

I agree. I coached a new team this year that had never played the 1-4-3-3 system, but with the right training and information they picked it up quickly and did very well this year.

I think as a coach you need to understand the system yourself before you can get the team to play it. I always try to go and watch as many state training session/games as possible. Its amazing what you can pick up from just watching. It also helps to select the right type of players that suit the system. No longer does a fullback need to be big and strong who just wins the ball and kicks it long. The new fullbacks need to be quick and have a good first touch as the 1-4-3-3 starts from playing out from the back. Even the goal keeper needs to be able to play and act as a another defender (the old sweeper).

Playing the 1-4-3-3 formation does help the players develop into better players. From my team this year, 4 players made a state team and another 6 players have been selected in a STIC team.

[Drusetta]

Presuming you actually mean 1-4-3-3....

I am all for it. It's not easy to teach a new team a new system, especially if they have been playing with a sweeper most of the time. But its not impossible. It just takes time, persistence and accepting that mistakes can happen when you try something new.

I also think if you as a coach want to play this system, you need to be surrounded with people who are experienced with it, learn from these people and try transfer those concepts into your own team. Again, it may not be perfect straight away, but if we all decided it was too hard and went back to 'old school' football, the game here in Adelaide will only fall behind other states even more.

My job as a coach is to get as many of my players into state teams, development programs, Adelaide United and National teams. All of these teams play a 1-4-3-3 (or similar variations). It is my responsibility to prepare them for this so they have the best chance to be selected.

Vote #1 for 1-4-3-3 !!

Agreed!