Very Basics of the 4-3-1 Formation

If you are not aware our girls move to 9v9 this year. Meaning bigger field (more space), new formation and much more! This is what we have been building towards over the last two years with our style of play and 2-3-1 formation.
So, I will nerd out a bit here but I think some of you might be interested in our plans.
We plan to play a 4-3-1 formation to start.
- Our 2-3-1 formation over the last 2 years has been preparing us for this formation.
- The 4-3-1 is one of the best formations to get team used to playing 11v11 football.
- Although it can look a bit defensive on paper it can actually be an attacking formation once the girls learn the system. In attack we will look like a 2-3-3.
- Gives us effective wide wing play.
- Right/left defenders can push high and join the attack
- If outside defenders can mark opposition wingers and inside defenders can mark opposition strikers/attacking midfielders, the other team’s attack is completely shut down.
- Teaches players how to play in a 4-defense system very early in their development.
- Effective for keeping clean sheets.

[@silvrbreez]

Shared with my U12 boys team. Thanks for putting this together!

[@willporter3616]

Hope it made sense to them!

[@sarareyes811]

I like the style of this formation

[@willporter3616]

Me too. It makes the transition to 11v11 very easy with a variety of formations as well.

[@jackpepperbox]

Great video, sent it to my team. My only question is, during a goal kick, wouldn't the CBs be on the corners of the goal box, not the penalty box?

[@willporter3616]

Great question. I would say it depends on the age group and skill level. For example: if young and playing with a build out line then you can start the CB's on the corners of the penalty box because they have plenty of time and space. If there is no build out line then you most likely need to come inside to the goal box to create more time and space if the other team presses. Make sense?

[@goldenfootholden]

i’m watching it because my soccer coach said to

[@willporter3616]

Thanks for checking out the video!

[@troy2268]

Samee😊

[@Just_a_bad_editor]

Me too

[@Pattydoesstuff]

Same

[@jarvinballecio1134]

Coach, do your outside mids( #11, #7) play more " narrow" to allow the outside backs to open the field? If so, are they still considered "outside mids" if they act like central midfielders? Cheers, from Washington D.C.

[@michaeldriskill7843]

Implementing this with my U12s. My concern is that it seems a bit vulnerable on counter attack, especially if your CB's aren't overly athletic. Any suggestions to counter that or is that unfounded?
It does seems to work well defensively if the Offense is not counterattacking. Most common formation we play against is 3-3-2, so on paper it seems we could double both forwards, man up with each midfielder, push our forward up to keep 2 defenders of the other team occupied. Then we might have to account for the other defender who is free attacking, but that's a lower risk option. Thoughts?

[@willporter3616]

The 4-3-1 is a great formation to begin to teach players the concepts that will be required of the back 4 in other formations at the 11v11 level. One of the best ways to play this formation and prevent the counter attack is to start to teach the wingbacks that when one progress forward into the attack the other must hold and the back 3 get compact.

[@miguelcaparica4677]

And the goalkeeper? doesn't it count?

[@StinkyWizzleTits]

Here's a great indepth breakdown of 4-3-1
th-cam.com/video/ZK9Cabl34JE/w-d-xo.html

[@crwfabrication8350]

If you referring to the formation numbering, no. Both teams have a goalie, and there's always one. It's a known given and never placed into formation numbering. So it's 4-3-1. Not 1-4-3-1.

[@HARPER77]

2321 u mean

[@StinkyWizzleTits]

Not if you break it down in to defense, mid and forwards.