This system is more attacking then the sweeper behind system (1-1-3-3-3).
The advantage of this set-up is that you have a free player behind the midfield (highlighted). This creates a numerical advantage for your team in the middle. This overload will help your team, especially your attackers, to push forward and penetrate the opposition's circle.
When not in possession you will have an extra man to support your midfielders. This arrangement gives more opportunities to 1/2 court press and/or full press the opposition.
When to use:
You would employ this system if your midfiled is being overrun and is struggling to cope with the opposition, but your back line is coping with their players.
Disadvantages:
A disadvantage of this system is that the back 3 have to play man to man (there is no sweeper support for your defenders.)
To cover this you may have to look at using the defender on the opposite side to the ball. The covering defender (see diagram) will move into the middle of the pitch to offer some support to the player engaged in the 1v1.
Limitations:
Captain's decision: This system only really applies if your back 3 are confident and can cope with the 3 forwards on the day.
in more ways than one
in more ways than one
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