by J Mock

Created on: September 28, 2009   Last Updated: September 13, 2010

Player formation is a tactical decision in football (soccer), it being a managerial judgment on player positioning for the ten outfield players on the pitch. Of the various team formations, the four-three-three formation is often seen as an attacking system, due to the playing of three forwards in the attacking third.

The 4-3-3 formation calls for four defenders, three players in midfield and three up-front. The goalkeeper is disregarded in the team formation, because he, or she, will take their respective position in front of goal.

The defense will consist of two centre-backs and a left and right back, allowing for a strong defensive line-up. In midfield, three players take their positions; in centre midfield, left and right midfield. Three forward players, usually with one in the centre and one on the left and right wing, make up the eleven players.

There are variations to the 4-3-3 system, in the nature of individual roles within the formation. In midfield the manager may opt for one or two defensive midfielders - playing in the 'holding-role' - to support the back four and make use of an attacking midfielder to support the three forwards.

With three forwards in the attacking third the team will possess width, and potentially pace up-front, for a three-pronged assault on the opponents goal. Playing three up-front allows for support in the attacking third, without waiting for support from midfield.

The system is not dissimilar to the 4-5-1 formation - four defenders, five in midfield and one striker - except that the 4-3-3 actively encourages the two wide-players to push forward, rather than track back and defend.

The 4-3-3 formation has been used successfully for decades, due to its effectiveness in playing attacking football. The Brazilian National team opted for this formation during the 1962 World Cup, and the highly-rated Ajax team won three European Cups during the 1970s, using three in midfield and three forward players.

In 2005/06, F.C Barcelona manager Frank Rijkaard made use of the attacking 4-3-3 system, with a defensive midfielder, holding midfielder, and attacking midfielder, behind the three forward players of Ronaldinho, Lionel Messi and Samuel Eto'o. The result was two La Liga (Spanish top division) titles and a UEFA Champions League trophy.

The four-three-three formation epitomises attacking, creative football and remains a popular, and successful, system in football today. A strong defense, with three forwards offering width in attack without compromising playing strength in midfield.

Reference; http://www.talkfootball.co.uk/guides/football_format ions.html

Learn more about this author, J Mock.
Click here to send this author comments or questions.