86-P10 · Phase of play
Attack Before the Defence Sets (4231)
Exploit the moments before the opposition can organise with this game-realistic attacking practice.
Formation
4-2-3-1 formation drills. Two holders. Three behind the striker.
The 4-2-3-1 is four defenders, two holding midfielders, three attacking midfielders and a lone striker. These practices are tagged for the 4-2-3-1 in the Touchtight Club library, each with the setup and key coaching points.
Touchtight Club has 178 practices for this page (as of October 2026). Below: 4 with a free full video and 20 practice outlines.
Age
Topic
Formation4-2-3-1
Practices
4-2-3-1 drills and practices
24 of 24 shown
80-P4 · Technical practice
Penetrating Passes Between the Lines
Develop your team’s ability to break lines with purpose in this technical attacking practice focused on penetrating passes and intelligent.
97-P7 · Pattern of play
How to Play Out From the Back (4231)
This engaging pattern of play develops both technical precision and tactical awareness for effective build-up play in a 4231 formation.
106-P7 · Pattern of play
Inverted FB and No.10 Movement
Develop intelligent attacking rotations between the inverted full-back and No.10 with these game-realistic patterns of play!
66-P6 · Small-sided game
3rd Man Breakout Runs-SSG
Unlock the attacking potential of your team with this SSG, designed to create and exploit space behind defensive lines through 3rd man runs.
66-P8 · Wave of play
3rd Man Run Attacking Play
Unlock attacking creativity with this third-man run wave practice, designed to develop technical patterns that break defensive lines.
99-P5 · Skill practice
4 v 4 + 2 Breakout Possession Game
This engaging rondo-based practice develops support play and penetrating possession to break lines and finish!
97-P9 · Functional practice
Beat the Press to Play Out (4231)
Master the art of building from the back with this functional practice, designed to refine your team's ability to navigate a high press.
85-P10 · Phase of play
Build Up From The Back (4231)
This practice develops Phase 1 build up play, specifically focusing on movements and patterns when building from the back in a 4231 setup.
92-P10 · Phase of play
Building from the Back Under Pressure
Master effective build-up play under pressure in this engaging 4231 focused phase of play practice.
90-P9 · Functional practice
CAM Receiving to Attack in the Final Third
This functional practice helps attacking midfielders improve their ability to receive between the lines and drive at the defensive unit.
02-P4 · Technical practice
Counter Attacking: Technical
Practice 4 of theme 2 is played in a 30 by 30 yard square, with a GK at each end and 2 groups of players at the side of each goal..
15-P2 · Rondo
Creating Space: Rondo
This 6 v 3 Possession practice is played in an area 25 x 25 yards, with the focus on the 6 players in possession creating effective supporti
78-P10 · Phase of play
Defend as a Back 4-Phase of Play
This practice challenges the back four to work as a unit, limiting space and forcing play into less dangerous areas.
78-P3 · Skill practice
Defend the Edge of the Box (Back 4)
This defensive practice challenges your team to maintain organisation in the final third while facing an attacking front four.
97-P3 · Rondo
Keep the Ball to Score Rondo
This rondo practice enhances passing accuracy, sharpens decision-making, and improves composure under pressure in tight spaces!
02-P5 · Opposed practice
Overload Skill: Counter Attacking
With a 30 x 30 yard area in which to work, as well as a 15 x 15 area at the top of the pitch for players to keep possession.
14-P14 · 11 v 11
Playing Out From The Back in a 4231: 11 v 11
This final practice combines aspects of this theme into an 11 v 11, with the focus on building play from the GK thorough the thirds.
43-P8 · Wave of play
Playing through the Thirds
This practice is a small sided game that focuses on developing players ability to progress through the thirds of the field.
28-P8 · Opposed practice
Quick Transfer Rondo
This Phase 1 practice takes place in a 20 by 35-yard area and focuses on developing build up play, movement and forward passing.
01-P4 · Technical practice
Technical Passing: Attacking Centrally
Practice 4 of theme 1 Attacking Centrally, is a technical passing practice that develops player combinations to finish.
79-P9 · Functional practice
The 9 and 10 Combinations to Finish
This practice puts attackers in two different scenarios, challenging them to combine quickly to exploit the overload and finish.
78-P4 · Skill practice
The Compact Back 4 Unit
Keep your defensive unit compact and organised in this practice designed to limit gaps and prevent the attackers from playing through.
48-P3 · Technical practice
Third Man Run Combination Play
This Technical passing soccer drill is focused on developing third-man runs and challenges players to time their forward runs & passes well
These are 24 of the 178 practices in Club for this page. Start a free trial to see them all ↗
Coaching it
How to get more from these practices.
What the shape gives you
Two midfielders sit in front of the back four for balance, and the three players behind the striker give the team creativity and support for the forward.
What to coach
The link between the two holders and the attacking three, and how the attacking midfielders support the lone striker and arrive in the box.
Out of possession
The shape can drop into two banks of four with the striker pressing or holding. Coach the team to switch between the two and stay compact.
Questions
What coaches ask.
- What is the 4-2-3-1 formation?
- The 4-2-3-1 has four defenders, two holding midfielders, three attacking midfielders and one striker, plus the goalkeeper.
- Which age group should use the 4-2-3-1?
- Formations like this are 11 v 11 shapes. Most leagues move to 11-a-side at U13 or U14 (U14 in England from 2026/27, U13 under U.S. Soccer formats), and younger teams use smaller-sided shapes. Check your league’s rules for your age group.
- Are these practices free?
- The practice outlines on this page are free to read, with the setup and key coaching points for each practice. The full coaching videos, progressions and player questions are in the Touchtight Club library, which you can try free for 14 days (card required).