Week 35

Outcomes

• ✓Players can hold their attacking width in a 4-3-3 without drifting centrally when not directly involved
• ✓Players can combine between the number 10, wide forwards, and full-backs to create an overload on one side
• ✓Players can exploit the space in behind a defensive fullback who has been drawn narrow
• ✓Players can switch play through the number 6 or 8 to reset and attack the weak side

Equipment

• 14 cones
• 4 bibs (2 colours)
• 4 balls
• 2 full-size goals
• 2 goalkeepers
• 1 whiteboard + marker

Run of show

1. 1. Activation & 11+ Warm-Up

   15m

   Set up: Full squad in a 4-3-3 shape in a 50×35 yd grid. Cones mark the 11 positions.

   How to run it: FIFA 11+ warm-up, then a positional warm-up: coach calls a number (1–11) and that player must jog from their position to a cone 15 yds away and back. Then all players pass the ball around the team's 4-3-3 shape in a pre-set pattern (GK → CB → CM → wide forward → striker → opposite wide → CM → CB → GK). Two full circuits.

   • ›Wide forwards: stay wide during the passing pattern – don't drift to the ball
   • ›Number 10: always between the lines of the ball and the striker
   • ›Full-backs: high up in their position when the team is in possession

2. 2. Technical/Functional Practice – 4-3-3 Attacking Phase

   15m

   Set up: Full pitch. 10 attackers in a 4-3-3 shape (minus GK) vs 7 passive/semi-active defenders in a 4-3. Coach starts play from the goalkeeper.

   How to run it: Attacking team builds from the goalkeeper in a 4-3-3. They must play through three phases (defensive third, middle third, final third) before shooting. Defenders apply passive pressure until the ball enters the final third, then they become live. Attacking wide forwards must stay in wide channels until inside the final third. Run 6 sequences then increase defender pressure.

   • ›Striker must offer a target centrally and pin the centre-backs – don't drift wide
   • ›If the wide forward receives possession, the near fullback must overlap to create a 2v1
   • ›Number 10: move into the striker's shadow when the centre-backs have possession to receive a line-breaking pass
   • ›Switch play through the deepest midfielder when the ball side is closed down

3. 3. Skill/Phase Game – 7v7 Shape Maintenance

   15m

   Set up: 50×40 yd pitch. 7v7 (representing the outfield players of each attacking unit in a 4-3-3). Both teams in a 3-2-2 attacking shape. Cones mark the wide channels.

   How to run it: Both teams maintain their shape and try to create goal-scoring chances. Any player who drifts out of their position (wide forward leaves the wide channel, number 10 drops behind the midfield line) concedes a positional penalty (ball given to the other team). Play two 7-minute halves.

   • ›Discipline in shape creates the spaces – a compact attack is easier to defend than a spread one
   • ›Off-the-ball movement is the key: runs that stretch the opposition create the gaps
   • ›When the ball is wide, the opposite wide player must stay wide – don't collapse inward

4. 4. Conditioned Tactical Game – 11v11 Attacking Shape

   20m

   Set up: Full 60×44 yd pitch. 11v11 (or 9v9 if numbers don't allow). Both teams in a 4-3-3. Goals only count from moves that include a wide forward in the build-up.

   How to run it: Play 11v11 in a 4-3-3. To score a valid goal, the ball must travel through the wide forward's channel at least once in the final third before the finish. Coach tracks this and confirms validity. After 12 minutes, remove the condition for 8 minutes of free play. Freeze once to show a shape breakdown and correct it.

   • ›Wide forward on the ball side must be involved – midfielders must release the ball wide under pressure
   • ›Full-back supports the wide forward: overlap or underlap depending on the defender's position
   • ›Number 9 must hold position centrally to create space for the wide forwards to run into
   • ›When the team loses the ball in the final third, transition into a 4-3-3 press immediately

5. 5. Scrimmage – Free Play

   15m

   Set up: Full pitch, 9v9 or 11v11, goalkeepers.

   How to run it: Open scrimmage. Coach observes whether the 4-3-3 attacking shape is maintained organically.

   • ›Note how long the team holds its shape before it collapses into a formless attack
   • ›Identify the player who is most disciplined in their position

6. 6. Cool-Down & Debrief

   5m

   Set up: Circle, static stretching.

   How to run it: Stretching while discussing: 'Why does width in a 4-3-3 make us harder to defend?' (It stretches the defensive shape and creates gaps centrally.) Name one player who held their width excellently today.

   • ›Reinforce: discipline in shape is not restrictive – it is what creates freedom for the striker and number 10
   • ›Preview Session 2: fluid attacking rotations within the shape

Outcomes

• ✓Players can execute an inside-forward cut and fullback overlap to create a 2v1 in the wide channel
• ✓Players can recognise when to cut inside (keeper is set) versus when to cross (keeper is off their line)
• ✓Players can combine between the inside forward, fullback, and number 10 in a triangle to penetrate the final third
• ✓Players can maintain positional balance after a rotation so the vacated space is covered

Equipment

• 10 cones
• 4 bibs (2 colours)
• 4 balls
• 2 full-size goals
• 2 goalkeepers

Run of show

1. 1. Activation & 11+ Warm-Up

   15m

   Set up: Two groups of 6 in a 30×25 yd grid.

   How to run it: FIFA 11+ warm-up, then a rotation warm-up: in groups of 3, player A (inside forward) passes to player B (fullback) and cuts inside. Player B passes to player C (number 10) who has moved into the space A vacated. C plays B into space. Repeat pattern, rotating roles each time. 8 reps each.

   • ›Inside forward's cut must be explosive – a slow cut doesn't pull the defender
   • ›Fullback's overlap is timed to arrive when A is pulling the defender in
   • ›Number 10 fills the space left by the inside forward – not A's old position, but the gap it created

2. 2. Technical/Functional Practice – Inside Forward Cut + Fullback Overlap

   15m

   Set up: Half-pitch with a full-size goal and goalkeeper. Cones mark a wide channel (5 yds wide) on the left and right. Inside forward at the wide forward position, fullback behind them, number 10 central.

   How to run it: Ball is played to the inside forward in the wide channel. They check their shoulder, drive 3 yds toward goal (drawing the defender), then cut inside with a chop or turn. The fullback overlaps into the wide channel vacated by the inside forward. Number 10 makes a run to the penalty spot. Inside forward plays the fullback who crosses or cuts back. Progress: add a live defending fullback.

   • ›The 2-3 yd drive toward goal is key – it commits the defender before the cut
   • ›Fullback's run must be at full pace into the channel – arriving at jogging pace wastes the overlap
   • ›Number 10 at the penalty spot must attack the cutback or cross with pace, not stand and wait
   • ›After cutting inside, the inside forward becomes a penalty-spot threat; they don't stop and watch

3. 3. Skill/Phase Game – Triangle Combination in Wide Areas

   15m

   Set up: 45×35 yd pitch. 6v6. Two wide zones (5 yds each side) are free for attackers only. Goals scored from a cross or cutback from the wide zone count double.

   How to run it: Play 6v6. Attacking team uses the inside forward, fullback, and number 10 triangle to create wide zone opportunities. Defenders cannot enter the wide zone. After winning possession in the wide zone, they must deliver a cross or cutback within 4 seconds. Play two 7-minute halves.

   • ›Inside forward + fullback combination in the wide zone before the cross
   • ›Number 10 provides the central link: receives from the fullback if the inside forward is closed down
   • ›Don't overcrowd the wide zone – only two players at a time

4. 4. Conditioned Tactical Game – 11v11 Rotation Bonus

   20m

   Set up: Full 60×44 yd pitch. 9v9 (or 11v11) with goalkeepers.

   How to run it: Normal play. Any goal that includes an inside-forward cut and a fullback overlap in the same sequence counts double. Coach tracks the rotations and confirms bonuses. After 10 minutes, remove the condition. Freeze once to show a rotation that nearly worked and ask: 'What would have completed it?'

   • ›Rotation is not forced – if the defender doesn't commit, hold the wide position
   • ›Number 10 role is pivotal: they are the triangle's base and must always be available for a lay-off
   • ›Defensive team: if the inside forward cuts inside, the central midfielder must pick them up
   • ›Keep the rotation in both wide channels – don't overload just the left or the right

5. 5. Scrimmage – Free Play

   15m

   Set up: Full pitch, 9v9, goalkeepers.

   How to run it: Open scrimmage. Coach observes rotation quality and inside-forward movement. Notes one excellent rotation for the debrief.

   • ›Is the fullback reading the inside forward's movement automatically?
   • ›Is the number 10 arriving at the penalty spot from wide rotations?

6. 6. Cool-Down & Debrief

   5m

   Set up: Circle, static stretching.

   How to run it: Stretching while reviewing: 'What does the inside forward cutting inside give us?' (cross option from the fullback; central shot option from the inside forward.) Close with homework.

   • ›Positive close: name the best rotation of the session
   • ›Preview Week 36: goal-scoring from different areas and distances