soccer team formations

4-4-2

The midfield area is an important section of the field. Teams often pack their midfield with players.

The 4-4-2 is a common, defense-minded soccer formation. It relies on the forwards covering much ground.

• The two wide midfield players can act as wingers when their team attacks.

• A line of four defenders and four midfield players feed two forward players.

• The forwards will both run back for defense and search for space in attack.

• The midfield players have to move up and down the complete length of the field, supporting in attack and defense.

4-2-4

In 4-2-4, two midfield players act as a link between the four players in attack and the four in defense.

They must cover a huge amount of ground for the soccer formation to work.

Because of the huge strain put on the two midfield players, 4-2-4 is rarely played today.

4-3-3

4-2-4 is sometimes altered by dropping an attacking player back into the midfield to make a 4-3-3 formation with two central strikers and one winger.

The winger may switch wings during the game, searching for openings.

3-2-2-3

This system uses three center backs and two wing backs out wide (this formation is closely linked to, the more commonly known as 5-3-2). In defense, one of the center backs may be given the task of marking a particularly dangerous opposing forward. In 3-2-2-3, one of the center backs can often support his team’s attack by pushing forward.

To successfully play this formation wing backs must patrol almost the complete length of the field, identify players out of position and cover for them.

4-1-2-1-2

The diamonds soccer formation centers around the natural creation of angles within the midfield. The deeper lying midfielder has a more defensive role, while the opposition is in possession this player’s role is to screen and protect the defensive line.

This formation also relies heavily on the wing backs and strikers to help in midfield to create width in possession as this formation focuses much of the play in the centre of the field.

3-4-3

3-4-3 loads the midfield and attack for better attacking options but also with more defensive vulnerability.

Since the three attackers can create plenty of width and stretch a defensive line, the midfield are given more freedom to assign certain defensive/attacking roles;

2 defenders would typically assume a defensive midfielder role, acting as a first line of defense, covering the defensive line, while the other two are given more attacking roles, linking up with the attacking line to create chances to score a goal.

4-2-3-1

This 4-2-3-1 soccer formation loads the midfield, allowing two midfielders to assume the role of defensive midfielders. They are tasked with breaking up play, cutting off attacking passing channels and shielding the defense.

If played correctly, this will allow the three attacking midfielders to play more advanced roles, joining in attack with the lone striker and creating dangerous attacks. Attacking players are allowed to play with comparative freedom when compared to other, more structured formations. If this soccer formation is played incorrectly it can leave the striker isolated and attacks break down easily.

4-1-2-2-1

This 4-1-2-2-1 soccer formation is popular with modern professional teams.With a more fluid twist on a standard 4-3-3, this formation affords a defensive midfielder to shield a defense, and works particularly well for counter attacking teams.

The two midfielders operate in tandem helping the team to transition quickly between attack and defense, and the three attacking players are allowed freedom to switch positions to unsettle defenses.

3-3-1-3

The 3-3-1-3 is an inherently attack formation that aims to press and defend high up the pitch, and stretch the play as wide as possible when in possession.

The back three and the holding midfielder are essentially four defensive players, the two wing-backs surge forward whenever possible, trying to create overloads against opposition full-backs, and also venturing into more central attacking positions to provide a goal threat.

5-5-0

5-5-0 is a very defensive formation, but it has been used to devastating effect as a counter attacking method.

This game sets two banks of 5 defenders and 5 midfielders, inviting pressure from the opposition and packing vital areas to make it difficult for the team in possession to make space to score. When the team regains possession, the midfield will break quickly, linking up to take advantage of a disorganized defense.

Don’t expect to have the majority of possession with this formation, breakaways and counter attacks must be incisive and accurate.