Master the 3‑1 Attacking System in Futsal: Rotations, Movements & Training

The 3‑1 attacking system has been around for decades, but at the highest levels, it’s still one of the most dangerous ways to break defenses and create goals. When executed well, it gives your team width, depth, and balance—and puts your pivot in positions where they can turn, lay off, or finish.

Most teams know the 3‑1 shape. Few teams make it dynamic. Too often, the pivot stays static, the wings stop rotating, and defenders read every pass.

That’s why I’ve built two resources to help your team bring the 3‑1 to life:

• New Video: How to Rotate in the 3‑1 System with 3 Players – a simple drill to teach fluid rotations in small-sided training.

• Most Popular Video: 11 Attacking Movements for the 3‑1 System (2020)– the essential attacking combinations every team must master.

These will make your 3‑1 faster, less predictable, and much harder to defend.

Why the 3‑1 System Works

The 3‑1 shape puts three players—the fixo and two wings—in the build-up zone, while the pivot provides depth in the finishing zone.

This creates:

• Constant width and depth to stretch defenses

• Two reliable passing options for the ball carrier

• A central reference point (the pivot) to drag defenders and open space

When your pivot is mobile and your wings and fixo rotate intelligently, defenders are forced to chase and adjust constantly. That’s how the 3‑1 becomes a weapon rather than just a formation.

The 11 Attacking Movements You Need

From Rafael Fogageiro’s The Attacking System 3‑1 in Futsal e‑book and my most-watched tutorial, there are 11 key attacking sequences every team should drill:

• Diagonal and parallel runs

• Overlaps and “curtain” screens

• Winger‑pivot one‑twos

• Triangle passing patterns

• Second‑post combinations

These movements break through both man-to-man and zone defenses and give your team multiple ways to create high-quality chances.

Go Beyond the Basics – Train Like the Pros

If you’re serious about building a 3‑1 that wins games, take the next step:

1. Get Rafael Fogageiro’s E‑Book – “The Attacking System 3‑1 in Futsal.”Learn the role of each position, advanced rotations, and step-by-step training drills for every level.👉 Buy the E‑Book Here

2. Join Our Online 3‑1 System Course.Full video lessons with demonstrations so you can coach your team to move, rotate, and finish like the pros.👉 Start the Course Today

Keen in learning more about the 3-1 attacking system? Dive deeper with our on-demand course, covering the ins and outs of the 3-1 attacking system against various defenses. Start studying On-Demand now: www.carofutsal.com.au/courses

Start Improving Today

Watch the videos. Study the e‑book. Put the drills into your training. When your team understands the 3‑1 system and moves with purpose, you’ll control possession, create more goals, and frustrate every opponent you face.

Your Next Steps:

• Watch the Rotation Drill (3 Players)

• Watch 11 Attacking Movements

• Get the E‑Book

• Join the Online Course

Let’s make your 3‑1 unstoppable!

Stay tuned for more Futsal content.

#TheDoctor Andre Caro