Soccer Formations

Posted by Soccer Manual Team

February 29, 2008

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4-4-2
This is the most common formation. Its one of the safest defensively. This can be used with first time players. This is the foundation for many formations.
How to Play: The safest way to play this formation is with a “Sweeper” in defense. This player is the last defender and should not have to mark anyone, his job is to clear everything out of the back. The other 3 defenders should worry more about marking. The Midfielders should be spread out across the field, the 2 center midfielders should play side to side, if your playing with a sweeper. The 2 forwards should be about 10-15 yards from each other and shift together, to play off of each other. See Illustration.
Pros: Its simple to teach and learn, it gives you a lot of safety in the back.
Cons: Its very predictable, it doesn’t give you any element of surprise

3-4-3
A more attack minded formation, you give up a little in defense but you gain a third forward. Most teams play with 2 forwards, some may argue that 4 defenders to cover 2 forwards is not logical.
How to Play: To play this formation you should have a really strong and fast defense, your center midfielders should be staggered ,one should play as a defensive center-mid and the other as an attacking center-mid. Your forwards should constantly be making runs, staying with in 10-15 yards of each other. Forwards should also be staggered. The center forward should play above the 2 wide forwards. He should also constantly be making diagonal runs. Remember to always make triangles.
You Must: Communication between goalie and sweeper is key. The sweeper needs to be extremely fast.
Pros: You almost always have numbers when attacking.
Cons: When a team counter attacks, you could be very vulnerable.

4-2-2-2
A defensive formation, But it works very well for distributing.
How to Play: With 4 flat defenders to watch the back, the advantage to this formation are the 2 defensive midfielders who will always check and give you more options. This is to eliminate the long ball syndrome. When one of the two center defenders has possession of the ball the outside defender opens up wide, and one of the defensive midfielders checks. This provides 2 very easy and clear options for the man on the ball. The job of the defensive midfielders is to distribute to one of the outside midfielders. The defensive midfielder should not have to take more then 2 touches, and he should always look to distribute to the wings.
You Must: You must have smart defensive midfielders, not necessarily fast or big. Players that are comfortable with the ball at their feet and can distribute well.
Pros: You always have plenty of options to keep possession of the ball. You will be very strong on defense.
Cons: You wont have as many players up top.

5-4-1
Don’t let this formation fool you, a team that can execute this formation is just as if not more dangerous then a team running 3 forwards.
How to Play: The 2 outside defenders make runs all the way up. For this to work, defenders must be in sync. If the left defender makes a run up line, the others defenders shift to the left and become a flat four in the back. The midfielders will make room for the runner (the left defender) by shifting to the right, while the right midfielder becomes the right forward. This causes confusion amongst defenders because they don’t know who they should mark. This will eventually look like a 4-3-3
You Must: You must not use this formation with a defensive mentality, if you do you will be caught in your half the entire game.
Pros: Opposing teams wont know what hit them. It creates a lot of opportunities by confusing defenders.
Cons: This is a very difficult formation to teach and learn. Players must be in excellent shape.

3-5-2
The objective of this formation is to force the other team down the center of the field.
How to Play: Accomplish this with your forwards, your forwards should not allow the opposing team to create an attack using their wings, instead make them play down the center of the field where you have more players. When attacking, the two forwards become left and right while the center %%%attacking midfielder%%% becomes the center forward (in theory, unmarked). The defense in this formation works like the 3-4-3 formation, and all the same rules apply. Your defenders must be very fast and skilled. In the midfield, there are 2 defensive midfielders to help in recovering balls, and distributing. When attacking one of the two center defensive midfielders should join the attack .
Pros: If executed properly, you have numbers on offense and you have numbers on defense.
Cons: If not executed properly, counter attacks are deadly, and creating an attack will be difficult.