The most effective formation in a nine a side game??

 

The 3-2-3 Formation

A look at the 3-2-3 formation and how it is implemented

 

The 3-2-3 is the 9 a side equivalent of the 4-2-4 formation

 

It is an adaptable system that gives teams strength in central areas but a lack of width. So it is vital the team all moves to side of the pitch AS A GROUP or “concedes” the wide area.

The role of central midfielders can change, depending on how much emphasis any team is putting on defence or attack.

 

Our key passing area and style is

-       Early, before the opposition defence is organised

-       Into the area between the opposition centre circle and penalty area

-       Our front line striker needs to be ready for this at all times

 

The 3-2-3 formation is effective because it can be adapted based on whether a team is setting out to attack or defend.

 

 

THE INDIVIDUAL ROLES

Centre backs in the 3-2-3 Formation

The way we should set up is that the quickest defender will “sweep” behind two markers, whose job will be to mark the forward(s), this means that IF the forwards use pace to get away from the markers, then they can be covered by the pace of the sweeper!

 

The primary role of our defenders is to defend against opposition attackers and other players occupying the central third of the pitch, especially when they get near the goal. This means "tucking in " as a narrow centre back when the ball is on the opposite side of the pitch, not staying wide to mark a player!

 

Good defenders need good tackling ability as a prerequisite, and they should also help their fellow centre backs, particularly when the opposition hit a long ball from their own defence. 

Work AS A UNIT!!

All three defenders need to excel in this role, often using their lack of size, so their tackling needs to be “tiger like” and often they need to "nick" the ball, rather than putting in “big tackles”!

 

The next step of all their development is learning WHEN to go for a tackle, sometimes standing and blocking is more important, especially when the other centre backs aren't in position and "set"!! 

This DELAY is as important as the actual tackle often, as it allows the rest of the team to get into position!!

 

Amongst the things that they have to work on are:

·       Attacking the ball rather than waiting for it; I’ve seen opposition players "nipping in front of defenders" and defenders become off balance and unable to help the other defenders.

·       Rather than controlling the ball and getting closed down, defenders need to clear the ball early into the area behind the opposition defence - this also allows us to regroup and reorganise!!

·       Staying close as a THREE rather than spreading out wide just because the ball is there

·       Don’t get too deep and keep the CDM JUST in front of them, not alongside them

·       Communicate with each other throughout

 

Our defenders can also be a major attacking weapon.

Once they get the ball they need to either

-       Kick it long to the strikers, or

-       Pass it short to the midfielders (who can launch the longer pass)

 

When we defend a corner we should use two of our defenders on the posts to protect our keeper in front and behind!

 

Defenders should concentrate on being centre backs when defending and not get caught out wide, except in emergencies!

They all need to be "sweepers" if the other centre backs attack the ball and miss it; they also need to be loud communicators on the pitch!!

They also need to learn when to "shepherd" the attacker and ball away from goal rather than make a tackle.

The rule needs to be make a tackle ONLY when 100% sure of winning the ball. A defender "on her arse" is of no value to the team defensively unless the ball is out of play!!

But the most valuable asset for any team is communication - loud clear instruction is crucial to the effectiveness of the defence as a whole (defending is a team activity, not just the back three)

While their teammates' passing may be expansive, centre-backs generally keep things simple, distributing short passes, often to the midfield players, as well as long passes to the halfway point in the other half (for the quickest strikers to chase up).

We must not be “flat” as we are then potentially exposed to fast strikers and counter attacks, or sudden changes of direction. So our quickest defender should act as a sweeper, slightly behind the other two defenders (both of whom should be central whenever possible – on an IMAGINARY line between the ball and the middle of the goal)

 

I expect one centre back to attack the ball and one to drop back to cover this gives us depth and better shape! In addition, by having a three, we can call in a third defender to fill the, sometimes huge, gap between our keeper and centre back!

All three defenders (like our keeper) needs to get somewhere close to an “imaginary” line between the centre of the goal and wherever the ball is – marking someone who is wide when the ball in near our goal is BAD!!

When facing an opposition free kick I expect the central defenders to instruct other players where they want them, this is not a "would you mind" instruction, more of a "you WILL go there"!!
The only exception should be free kicks where a shot at goal is likely, when I expect the keeper to also have her say!

 

ONE OF THE BACK THREE SHOULD “SWEEP” BEHIND THE OTHER TWO

When I play 3 back with a sweeper, it is a back three with a single player behind the two-man line;

 

The other two centre backs are the markers, but all the defenders have a primary responsibility for marking a player, as opposed to true zonal play. 

When we are defending I expect the midfield players to drop into a full back role.

 

Most opponents will also play either 3-3-2 or 3-4-1 so we will have at least one spare player at all times!

 

The sweeper ideally shouldn't have to touch the ball too often defensively.

However people screw up sometimes. The sweeper should simply clean up the “garbage” and continue to provide knowledge and instruction through her vision and communication. 

The sweeper doesn't mean that the other defenders don't develop. But it does mean that they don't necessarily get punished on the scoreboard when they make a mistake.

 

Playing a sweeper, really requires a good player to be that sweeper, preferably someone quick, someone who can win the ball, distribute well (forwards, sideways, backwards), fill the gap between the defensive line and our keeper and most importantly can communicate decisively and assertively!! Ideally someone who has played midfield in the past!

When we are attacking I want my sweeper to be organising the other defenders to prepare for any counter attack, rather than watching the game!! ALWAYS FEAR THE WORST!!

 

I believe that the sweeper position is becoming obsolete, as a great deal of teams rely on the offside trap as a defensive strategy. Needless to say, the offside trap only works with straight back line, which needs a mobile/fast keeper who is quick off the line, so you cannot have both a sweeper and operate the offside trap.

 

The sweeper's ability to read the game is even more vital than for their central defensive partner as they also have to utilise (help and instruct) the "marking defenders"

 

The sweeper is a defensive position in football, so called because their job is to 'sweep up' any attacking moves that pass other defenders. 

 

Defensive Midfielder in the 3-2-3 Formation

In a 3-2-3 formation, it is common to have one defensive midfielder and another whose job is to get forward and join the strikers in the penalty area. The best reader of the game should take on this role for the team! This means they act as the defensive midfielder, but is also the first point of our attack!

The defensive midfielder is charged with breaking up opposition attacks, and when the team is on the back foot, act as an extra member of the defence. Like the front of a defensive diamond!
I see them as an "insurance policy" should the team surrender possession, acting as another centre back!

They are all about getting the football “out of their feet” and looking for early passes in behind the opposition back line (for fast strikers to run on to) or passing the ball simply to their own players

The first priority is to stop the opposition getting the ball into our half, by protecting the back line, rather than joining it.

But it is key that she gets forward to support the strikers when the team have the ball, otherwise there is a risk that the front players would lack support, particularly as we have no wingers to support! Either way, stay central and fill in the gap in the middle of the pitch.

I expect players to take turns in going forward. But if our CDM goes forward she need to ensure someone is covering her!

The centre midfield is the "heartbeat" of the team and sets the pace and style of play the team plays, not only are they ball winners, ball players and leaders but they are often how the team is judged. Even if not captain, they are the natural leaders and need to communicate loudly and positively!!

 

Attacking Midfielder in the 3-2-3 Formation

In a 3-2-3 formation, it is common to have one defensive midfielder and another, whose job is to get forward and join the strikers in, and around, the penalty area.

The attacking midfielder still has defensive responsibilities, especially when her team does not have possession.

But it is key that she gets forward to support the strikers when the team have the ball, otherwise there is a risk that the front players would lack support, particularly as we have no wingers able to support!

The centre midfield is the "heartbeat" of the team and sets the pace and style of play the team plays, not only are they ball winners, ball players and leaders but they are often how the team is judged. Even if not captain, they are the natural leaders and need to communicate loudly and positively!!

 

While one advanced midfielder has a responsibility to support the strikers, it is also the job of the other to get into advanced goal scoring positions, just behind the “marked attackers”.

 

Strikers in the 3-2-3 Formation

We should keep our  top scorer playing high up the pitch, she should be capable of holding the ball up and laying it off to her attacking partners and the midfield supporting players. This player furthest up the field is a striker, who can hold off defenders and bring her teammates into play, as well as getting in the space behind the defence so as to run on to the ball and face the keeper 1:1.

To be most effective, she must stay high up the pitch, not go wide and not drop back – even if she’s frustrated, as the ball isn’t getting to her.

 

As a team we must practice hitting the ball EARLY into an area in the middle of the pitch, behind the defenders, between the centre circle and the arc outside the penalty area!!

We should use the other two strikers as withdrawn strikers, capable of playing in the 'hole' (the area behind the main striker) and using their creative skills to set up those around them, primarily our fastest striker

Often the forwards play as a group and need to be in close proximity to help each other, they should start central and hit the "channels" and look to get behind the defenders in the space!!

 

I HOPE THIS ALL MAKES SENSE BUT PLAYERS JUST LEARN THEIR OWN ROLE INITIALLY!!