Why the 4-3-3 is My Favorite Soccer Formation

I've played soccer for over two decades, I've watched soccer for an equivalent amount of time and soccer video games are one of my favorite types of video games - ranking just behind football. Whether playing soccer outside on a grass field or playing a simulated game of soccer on a video game system such as Playstation, which I currently own, my favorite soccer formation is the 4-3-3. For clarification, I'm referring to four defenders, three midfielders and three forwards.

The 4-3-3 soccer formation is a flexible strategic soccer formation that allows for various tactical maneuvers. In my ideal 4-3-3 soccer formation, there would be a sweeper and a stopper, essentially stacked on top of each other in the middle of the field. While the sweeper is the last person of defense, the stopper provides an additional layer of defense that the opposing offense must withstand before reaching the goal. Furthermore, a speedy stopper can compensate for a mistake by the left or right defender, by taking an appropriate angle, which also allows the sweeper to remain as the last person of defense. Additionally, a speedy stopper can revert to the sweeper's role of last person of defense when the sweeper moves out of position to help defend on the left or right side of the field. Of course, in either case, good communication is highly desirable for a most effective outcome.

While the 4-3-3 formation allows much malleability on defense, the same can be true on the offensive side of the ball. If an opposing team is not posing a great offensive threat, then the stopper can act as a second center midfielder, adding to the offensive prowess of the team utilizing the 4-3-3 and allowing the center midfielder to advance more readily. It is a formation that allows key players, such as the sweeper, stopper and center midfielder the flexibility to adjust to the pace and feel of the game. When additional defense is required, they can act accordingly and, with proper communication, they can add to the assault on offense by adjusting in an analogous fashion. However, the beauty of the formation does not end there.

While the 4-4-2 formation creates a solid foundation in the defensive and midfield portions of the soccer field, the offense can fall apart during an attack due to the lack of attacking players, or rather, the lack of attacking players in key locations. In the 4-4-2, there doesn't quite seem to be a forward or attacking player in the best position all the time. When there is, the forward or attacking player does not have enough outlets or passing lanes for the ball, as there is only one other forward or attacking player. However, with the 4-3-3, there is typically always a forward or attacking player on the left, the right and in the center of the field, which is key.

One of the best ways to attack an opponent's goal is through crosses from either side of the field into the center, where on-running teammates can approach the ball, re-directing it toward a goalkeeper who is forced to quickly adjust to the new angle of attack. With the 4-3-3, a through ball down either side of the field will be met with the presence of an on-running forward. In such a case, the forward can expeditiously attack with a cross because there will always be someone in the center of the field (the center forward or striker) and an attacker running toward the far post (the third forward). A soccer formation with fewer forwards may have to wait for additional attackers to appear before a successful assault may occur. However, the 4-3-3 allows for such a possibility as well as the quick strike, which is a great way to score.

In order to properly attack a team, you need someone to advance the ball. This is the hardest to do down the center of the field, due to the opponent's tendency to have more people located in the center of the field, including the goalkeeper. With left and right wing forwards, in addition to a center forward, a properly orchestrated crossing attack is ameliorated. I've noticed this both in physical games on the soccer pitch as well as in video games, such as Playstation's FIFA '08 Soccer. Actually, it seems more relevant in video games, as the computer is less likely to be able to figure out that you want to send a through ball down the side of the field, whereas, in a live game, you may be able to communicate such a desire to a teammate. Although, if you're playing with only two forwards and one is busy crossing the ball, then it only leaves one forward to score. Not great odds if you ask me.

LIVIN is an amateur soccer player and soccer video game enthusiast.