Hockey: The 3 - 1 - 3 - 3 formation

This document explains the 5 - 3 - 2 formation.

This framework reflects a structure that has 5 forwards, 3 half backs, 2 backs, and
goalkeeper, it is very similar to structures often described as 3-3-4 or ......

This set-up will see your team playing with a sweeper behind the back 3. The advantage of this system is that there is always a covering player to support the back 3 defenders.

Your back 3 can play this 2 ways:

1. Man to man back 3, with players sticking with the same player or
2. Zonal defending. Players stay in position and mark any player that comes into their area.

With this system you would look to attack using the width from the back.

When to use:

This system is good when:

• You have a slow back 3 players who keep being out run by forwards.
• The opposition is better and keep beating one of your back 3
• The opposition throw good long aerials landing in your 25.

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.

This system gives support to the backline as well as the midfield.

It relies on the 2 forwards to do a lot of running in defence and play further forward when their team is in possession.

When to use:

If your team is very fit and want to force the other team back by creating overloads in your defence and midfield.