PLAYING THE

GK-3-4-3 FORMATION

COACHING THE GK-3-4-3

1.
2.
3.
4.
5.
6.
7.
8.
9.
10.
11.

The two outside centre backs must expand in possession

The centre backs should use their extra man to play out of defence
When the centre back steps out, the midfielders must rotate positions
The two wide forwards must start high & pinch inside to compact the defence
The three forwards should be constantly on the move to disrupt the defence
The three defenders should look to pass beyond the opponents midfield
The wide midfielder & forward on that side should interchange movements
When the attack is down one side, The opposite winger should come inside
A minimum of three players should be in the box on crosses
In defence, the two wide midfielders & forwards can drop back to make a 541
The central defender can drop back as a sweeper with the other two marking

The two outside centre backs must expand in possession

The two wide
centre backs must
spread wide in order
to use the full width
of the pitch and
increase distance
between themselves
and the opposing
forwards

The centre backs should use their extra man to play out of defence

The three defenders are now

spread out and can quickly
move the ball in order to free
a defender to bring the ball
forward

When the centre backs step out, the midfielders must rotate positions

As the central defenders dribbles

forward into midfield, the players
in front of the ball must rotate in
order to create space to receive

Number 6 comes
to receive
Number 9 pulls
defenders away

Number 8 goes
high to make space

Number 10 pulls
of the defenders

Number 7 goes high and wide

The two wide forwards must start high and pinch inside to compact the defence

The two wide

forwards go right
up against the
marker to pin
them and then go
inside to compact
the defence

Now the wide midfielders

can drag the opponents wide
midfielder into defensive
areas that they are not
comfortable in

The three forwards should be constantly on the move to disrupt the defence

Space behind the defence

Space outside the defence

Wide players can also help in

the rotation and movement by
exploiting areas left by the
forwards movements

Space in front of the defence

The three defenders must try to pass beyond the opponents midfield

However, dont force a

pass and give possession
away, be patient and play
into a midfielder who can
now pass forwards

Play into the number 10

who can turn and attack
If the 10 is blocked then
feed the wide player

The wide midfielder and forwards on that side should interchange movements

If the forward goes

outside to provide
width, the midfielder
can come off the line
and inside

If the forward comes

inside and narrow,
the midfielder can
go outside to provide
width

When the attack is down one side, the opposite winger should come inside

The opposite wide player can

now come off the wing and
into the space behind the
opponents midfield

The number 9
must run on
the blindside
of the nearest
centre back

The forward and wide player

interchange to get onto the ball
and create dangerous situations

A minimum of three players should be in the box on crosses

Three players must

make the effort to get
into the box to score

In defence, the two wide players and forwards can drop back to make a GK-5-4-1

The two wide midfielders drop

deep and closer to the teams
three centre backs

The two wide forwards drop

back and closer to the teams
centre midfielders

The central defender can now drop back as a sweeper with the other two marking

The sweeper can now drop behind

to offer support and cover to the
marking centre backs

The two centre backs now mark

tightly with the two centre
midfielders blocking passes into
the opponents forwards

FORMATION OVERVIEW
GK-3-4-3

ROATING THE SHAPE

GK-5-4-1
The 7 & 5 drop back into defence & the 10 &
11 drop back into midfield to make a 541
formation

STRENGTHS

Three centre backs split to play out

Lots of attacking players

Rotation and movement in wide areas will

disrupt opponents defence
CONCERNS

If teams sit deep then the pitch can be

congested in attacking areas

The centre backs can be pulled into wide 1v1

situations

GK-3-5-2
The number 10 & 11 push high to become
two centre forwards & the number 9 drops
deeper behind to make a 352 formation
GK-4-4-2
The number 5 drops back into defence to
make a back four. The number 11 drops back
into midfield to make a four man midfield.
This leaves the 10 & 9 as centre forwards in a
442 formation

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