Tell me the last time you explained to your team various soccer formations by using a soccer field diagram? If you said “never” or “long time back”, it’s clear that your team is not completely aware of what formations and positions are.
Almost all coaches falter when they consider that spoken instructions are sufficient and the kids will learn everything through these. The players must take part in the dialogue about formations on the field as they are an important matter.
These illustrate the soccer positions of the players in each part from the defensive line and as such are the planned choices made usually in the form of numbers. The formations should never be inflexible and so the coach must continue to exchange players in every game. Something very important which should be kept in mind is that formations must be decided after taking into consideration each player’s strong and weak points.
Given below are certain formations that are frequently used in soccer:
4-4-2: This one is used most frequently. The series 4-4-2 is derived from the idea that it comprises of 4 defending players, 4 mid fielders, and two attacking players excluding a goalkeeper.
In this formation, midfielders play the most important role in form of supporting the forwarders through defense. At the time of attack, they should move towards the goal line to support the defenders.
4-5-1: Having five mid-fielders and one forward, this is better known as a defensive formation. The biggest benefit with this kind of formation is that because the midfielders are all focused in the center, the opposition cannot attack easily.
Also, because there is only 1 forward, it requires the midfielders to push forward which in turn makes the opposition craving to get the possession of the ball.
3-5-2: This formation has three defenders, five midfielders, and two forwards. This formation has the attacking as well as defending advantage since 2 wingmen get to attack and the center midfielder disallows counter attacking.
3-4-3: This is the most violent form of formation on the soccer field diagram that the players resort to when the opponents are defending. Using three defenders, four midfielders and three forwards, the plan is to attack using the forwards and make use of the defenders in case the opposition pierces the defensive line.
There is no single plan that stays good for the whole match. It must be in line with the changing situations in the game. So a coach must think quickly and keep rotating the players throughout. And then, a formation can be either offensive or defensive.
Efficient soccer tactics regarding formations are crucial as a team’s win or lose depends on it. As the game progresses towards action, the formation should change accordingly.
Now use the soccer field diagram to teach the players in the field. Our youth soccer coaching community is full of information on formations in the form of articles, newsletters, and videos.
Andre Botelho is a recognized authority in youth soccer coaching and has already helped thousands of youth coaches to dramatically improve their coaching skills. Learn how to explode your players’ skills and make training fun by downloading your free ebook at: Soccer Drills.