The shape
A flat back four with two central midfielders directly in front, a block of six. Ahead of them three attackers spread across the pitch, the central one just behind a lone centre forward. With the ball the two holders split to receive from the centre backs, the full backs push on and the wide attackers come inside to make room. Without the ball the three drop to halfway and the holders sit on the 23 m line.
Roles
- Goalkeeper. Outlets short to the centre backs or the holders, who are built to receive under pressure.
- Full backs. Supply the width, since the wide attackers come inside. Carry to the 23 m line and deliver into the circle, then recover.
- Centre backs. Hold the top of the circle and feed the holders. Step onto the centre forward together, with a holder dropping to cover.
- Two holding midfielders. Receive, turn and feed the three in front. Without the ball they screen the top of the circle and pick up anyone running at the back four.
- Wide attackers (left and right forward). Start wide and come inside into the pockets, letting the full backs overlap. Finish at the far post and penalty spot.
- Attacking midfielder. Plays between the opposition midfield and defence, receives on the half turn and shoots from the top of the circle or slips the centre forward in.
- Centre forward. Occupies both centre backs, holds the ball up and deflects at the near post. Presses their centre backs to force the outlet wide.
Strengths
- A block of six is very hard to play through.
- Four attackers arrive in the circle for the second and third phase.
- The holders let the full backs attack without fear.
- Flexible: a 4-4-2 when the attacking midfielder drops, a 4-3-3 when a holder steps up.
Weaknesses
- The lone centre forward is easily doubled up.
- The wide attackers must come inside or the full backs have nowhere to run.
- A gap opens between the holders and the three if nobody drops.
- Slow to press because the three start deep.
When to use it
Pick it when your best player is a creative midfielder who needs to play between the lines, and you have two sound central midfielders who stay disciplined. At grassroots level it is a strong shape against a better team, because the block keeps the score down while four attackers can still score on the counter.
What to coach in training
- Half turn for the attacking midfielder: the ball comes from a holder, a defender closes from behind, the player opens up and shoots or plays wide in two touches.
- Block of six against eight attackers who can only score from inside the circle. Coach the holders to pass the runner on, not follow them.
- Counter from a turnover: the block wins the ball on the 23 m line and the four attackers must get a shot off in eight touches.
Works well against
It does well against a 4-3-3 and a 3-4-3, because the two holders deal with the opposing centre half and the three attackers can press three defenders. The double screen is also built for a side that counters through the middle. Less comfortable against a 4-4-2 with two deep midfielders, because the pocket between the lines disappears.
