Here is another short article on the 1-4-3-3 system of play.
A good summay of its evolution, but importantly, the author points to the critical element in this system of play (well any systen when it comes right down to it) - the need for players on and off the ball to constantly create working triangles. No triangles, no passing options - simple as that and kids need to get this geometric shape trained in so that it is a deeply entrenched preferential behaviour when playing and particularly under pressure of time and space.
The diagram illustrates the matter nicely. Start referring to the positions by their numbers - helps convey the roles and responsibilities for each position. This diagram has the midfield three players in "point forward" - that is positions 6, 8 and 10. The other configuration required by the FFA in later years is "point back".
Hope you find this helpful as we geear up to begin training all those junior / youth players arond the ACT.
Where Did The 433 System Come From?
Did the Dutch invent the 4-3-3 system? No they did not. But they did give us "Total Football" and a whole different way to look at the game. Total Football utilized space in a different way, used a circular motion of players with take over roles, and pressing. Rinus Michels was the developer of this type of football, which placed heavy physical demands on players. Valeriy Lobanovskyi (Dynamo) in the early 1970s also had similar ways of looking at the game. Michels style of football was developed during his time with Ajax, which he then demonstrated to the world in the 1974 World Cup using the 4-3-3 formation. Michels would later take "Total Football" to Barcelona, where other Dutch greats followed. The Spanish have since developed a new style of football, based on this Dutch influence culminating in the 2010 World Cup win.
The 4-3-3 system can be traced back to the 1920/30s. Football was in a period of change. Herbert Chapman (Arsenal, Northhampton, Leeds) is credited with the development of the W M system. Football had now evolved from 2-3-5 to 3-2-2-3. By the late 1950s football looked different again with the evolution of the 4-2-4 system or use of a 4th back. While the initial developments leading to the 4-2-4 were devised by Marton Bukovi . The credit for creating the 4-2-4 lies with two different people: Flavio Costa, the Brazilian national coach and another Hungarian, Bela Guttman. By the 1962 World Cup, Brazil had developed the 4-2-4 system to such an extent that it resembled 4-3-3 when Zagallo would play back deep into the midfield. The great Alf Ramsey also experimented heavily with a 4-3-3 system in the 1950s and 60s. He was the last coach of England to win the world cup (1966). During the world cup final, however, he played a 4-1-3-2 (4-4-2?) system. That is another story. The formation seemed to evolve quickly over the 1960s and early 70s in different parts of the world. By 1974 the timing was perfect for Michels to unveil "Total Football" with a new variation of the 4-3-3 system. The system was evolved further by Cryuff and Van Gaal with the 3-4-3 variation.
The Dutch may not have invented 4-3-3, but they did give us "Total Football" which used a wonderful 4-3-3 system, a different way to view space, and a system to develop young players. The 4-3-3 is an exciting system and there are many different ways to play the system (not just midfield triangle facing forwards or backwards). It is not just 3 lines of players. It is how these players interact together and move, that determines how a 4-3-3 system works. It is more about individual and team tactics, than formation (the Brazilians understand this well). The 4-3-3 system creates more triangles than other systems (see figure 1) and is a great system for our elite youth teams to learn from. It can create a very attacking style of football, but again this gets down to the tactics of the coach. I have great respect for other formations as well. The 4-2-3-1 system appears to be better understood by community and representative players as an interim step or alternate formation, from my experience. The triangulation of the formation is perhaps the most important aspect here. To give a player 3 or 4 passing options in attack is very important. It all starts with the 6 and 7 year olds in 4v4 games.
Football tactics develop over time, sometimes together but in different parts of the world. Culture will play its part on how football is played, as well. The trends today suggest that speed and distance players cover in games will increase. Players may not be regarded as just a forward, midfielder or back but may have multiple roles. Are we seeing the development of a "total footballer"? The development of the "total footballer" will allow for new approaches and formations to the game. Learning the basics of the game will still be the most important thing in football. Which is the best training method? Game sense training, formation training, reductionist/didactic type training or a mix?