Do you remember the last time when you explained soccer formations to your team with the help of a soccer field diagram? If your answer to this question is a “never” or “long time back” , this confirms that the team knows nothing about positions and formations.
Most of the coaches make the mistake of assuming that kids tend to follow everything by simply giving them the required instructions verbally. Formations on the field are an important subject and you should always discuss it with the players in advance.
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. Another thing worth mentioning is that these formations should be finalized keeping in view the individual strengths and weaknesses of the players.
Given below are certain formations that are frequently used in soccer:
4-4-2: This is one of the most commonly used formations. By 4-4-2 it means, four defenders, four midfielders, and two players in the attacking position without a goalkeeper.
In this formation, midfielders play the most important role in form of supporting the forwarders through defense. In case of an attack, they must draw near the goal line and help out the defenders.
4-5-1: This is a defensive formation and consists of five midfielders and one forward. The best thing that it does is that it disallows the opponent players to attack because the midfielders are all stacked up in the center.
And then, due to the fact that there is only 1 forward, the midfielders proceed forward leaving the opponents yearning for the ball.
3-5-2: In this, there are 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 dynamic and aggressive formation on the soccer field diagram that is used by the team when it expects its opponents to play safe or defensive. 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 particular strategy that can be employed for the entire match. It must be in line with the changing situations in the game. So a coach should think proactively and rotate the players as required. But any 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 improves and becomes more dynamic, there will surely be more changes in the soccer formation strategies.
Now get out there and teach your players formations using a soccer field diagram. Our youth soccer coaching community is the best resource for information on formation with its 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.
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