A soccer formation describes the lineup of a soccer team. There are quite a number of formations in soccer and the formation a team uses is determined by several factors:
• The type of players (tall, long, fast etc.)
• The tactics that the team wants to employ (defensive, offensive, balanced etc.)
• The type of opponent's
Formations are usually quoted in numbers. The number of defenders is represented by the first number, the midfielders by the second and the strikers/forwards by the third. For example the 3-4-3 formation has three defenders, four midfielders and three attackers.
A formation should be adapted to the type of players and not vice versa. For example, if you have two fast running attackers in your team, then it would be pretty natural to choose a 4-4-3. However, if the two attackers are tall and strong but pretty slow, you should consider the 4-4-2 instead. If you plan to use several different formations during a game you should always make your players aware of this.
Following are some of the most common formations used in soccer today:
4-4-2
The 4-4-2 is the most widely used formation ever. Many coaches prefer to adapt this formation as it balances the team in a proper way. The 4-4-2 has four defenders, four midfielders and two attackers. In this formation, the midfielders need to constantly support the two attackers and also provide them with quality passes.
4-3-3
The 4-3-3 consists of four defenders, three midfielders and three attackers. This is an offensive formation and should be used against opponents that like to play defensive soccer. One of the attackers should always fall back to the midfield when the opponents regain the possession of the ball. The 4-3-3 is often used by the Dutch national team as they like to attack with many players.
4-5-1
The 4-5-1 is an efficient formation for slowing down the opposition's attacks. In terms of offense the team would have to rely on the wings and midfielders as the lone man up front will be isolated.
3-5-2
The 3-5-2 is an attacking formation and is often adapted when facing weaker opponents.
In this formation the coach may be trying to maximize ball possession retention but it must be understood that two of the midfielders should have defensive duties.
3-4-3
The 3-4-3 is considered to be an attacking formation. In this formation one striker should stay at the top of the attack. He should also be able to maintain that discipline. The three defenders will be helped out by one midfielder who has to constantly backtrack to cover for the defense as he will be the offensive midfielders anchor man (another name for defensive midfielder).
3-6-1
The 3-6-1 formation is for killing play in midfield as it leaves virtually no room for both teams to build their attacks. This formation may also create confusion among the players; especially the midfielders as some of them will need to help the defense line and others will need to support the lone front man.
5-2-2-1
Lastly the 5-2-2-1 formation is rarely used as it is ultra defensive and is not productive for the team in terms of offensive play. This formation is ideal when facing skilled opponents. I often recommend coaches to adapt this formation in the beginning of the game (first 10-20 minutes) and then change to 4-4-2. The reason is that your team will never be able to keep a 0-0 results if you don't allow your players to attack. You surely know that offense is considered to be the best defense.
As a coach you will need to teach your players how to switch fast to different formations. The best way for doing this is to line up your players for a specific formation (ex: 4-4-2) during the practice and then instruct them to move and pretend like they were playing a real soccer game. This is an efficient method for introducing your players to formations that they've never played before.
• The type of players (tall, long, fast etc.)
• The tactics that the team wants to employ (defensive, offensive, balanced etc.)
• The type of opponent's
Formations are usually quoted in numbers. The number of defenders is represented by the first number, the midfielders by the second and the strikers/forwards by the third. For example the 3-4-3 formation has three defenders, four midfielders and three attackers.
A formation should be adapted to the type of players and not vice versa. For example, if you have two fast running attackers in your team, then it would be pretty natural to choose a 4-4-3. However, if the two attackers are tall and strong but pretty slow, you should consider the 4-4-2 instead. If you plan to use several different formations during a game you should always make your players aware of this.
Following are some of the most common formations used in soccer today:
4-4-2
The 4-4-2 is the most widely used formation ever. Many coaches prefer to adapt this formation as it balances the team in a proper way. The 4-4-2 has four defenders, four midfielders and two attackers. In this formation, the midfielders need to constantly support the two attackers and also provide them with quality passes.
4-3-3
The 4-3-3 consists of four defenders, three midfielders and three attackers. This is an offensive formation and should be used against opponents that like to play defensive soccer. One of the attackers should always fall back to the midfield when the opponents regain the possession of the ball. The 4-3-3 is often used by the Dutch national team as they like to attack with many players.
4-5-1
The 4-5-1 is an efficient formation for slowing down the opposition's attacks. In terms of offense the team would have to rely on the wings and midfielders as the lone man up front will be isolated.
3-5-2
The 3-5-2 is an attacking formation and is often adapted when facing weaker opponents.
In this formation the coach may be trying to maximize ball possession retention but it must be understood that two of the midfielders should have defensive duties.
3-4-3
The 3-4-3 is considered to be an attacking formation. In this formation one striker should stay at the top of the attack. He should also be able to maintain that discipline. The three defenders will be helped out by one midfielder who has to constantly backtrack to cover for the defense as he will be the offensive midfielders anchor man (another name for defensive midfielder).
3-6-1
The 3-6-1 formation is for killing play in midfield as it leaves virtually no room for both teams to build their attacks. This formation may also create confusion among the players; especially the midfielders as some of them will need to help the defense line and others will need to support the lone front man.
5-2-2-1
Lastly the 5-2-2-1 formation is rarely used as it is ultra defensive and is not productive for the team in terms of offensive play. This formation is ideal when facing skilled opponents. I often recommend coaches to adapt this formation in the beginning of the game (first 10-20 minutes) and then change to 4-4-2. The reason is that your team will never be able to keep a 0-0 results if you don't allow your players to attack. You surely know that offense is considered to be the best defense.
As a coach you will need to teach your players how to switch fast to different formations. The best way for doing this is to line up your players for a specific formation (ex: 4-4-2) during the practice and then instruct them to move and pretend like they were playing a real soccer game. This is an efficient method for introducing your players to formations that they've never played before.
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