4-2-3-1 SOCCER FORMATION

This formation can be very successful if all players do their part on the soccer

field and cover their zone in defense as shown in the picture below.

4-2-3-1 system of play can be used against most other soccer formations and the strength of this formation lies in the midfield and overlapping outside defenders (RB & LB).

The formation is designed to out-number the opposition in midfield, but have enough flexibility to support both the defense and offense quickly and

effectively.

Weakness for this formation in soccer comes from three attacking midfield players forgetting that they have to defend and slacking off when transitioning

on defense.

The 4-2-3-1 soccer formation is played with players marking the zone in blue.

Focus on defending the goal by playing zone defense with every player on the

field marking their zone where communication will be the key in doing so.

The only player having any freedom when defending is the Forward player.

DEFENSIVE PLAYERS

The back line of 4-2-3-1 soccer formation will be composed of 2 Center Backs and 2 Outside Backs (RB & LB).

The center backs should have the ability to read the game well and stop players

in 1v1 situations.

Communication will ensure that all empty space is covered and that they are leading the defense by telling players in front of them where to position

themselves and what players to mark. Communication will also ensure that players step up in sync when attempting

offside traps.

Back line can be quickly converted into an even more defensive formation by playing with a Sweeper role, meaning one CB playing 5 - 10 YDS/M behind the

other CB.

Sweeper will be the player that reads the game better than other players and he will have the advantage of doubling up on any player or reading the play and

positioning himself better since he is positioned behind the defensive line.

Outside Back (RB & LB) positions in this system of play will usually be occupied by players that are short, agile and very quick with good ball handling skills.

Outside Backs will need to be in exceptional conditioning shape because they will run deep into offense providing support for the attack than tracking back to

defend when the ball possession changes.

Defense in this soccer formation will have two Defensive Midfielders in front of them taking much pressure off by providing support.

Right Outside Back (#2)

Responsibilities

Offense

Stay wide – “chalk on boots” (stick close to touchlines when team has

possession)

Play ball through #8/RDM (Right Defensive Midfield and #7/RAM (Right

Attacking Midfield)

Overlap, overlap, overlap

Take the ball to end line and cross into #9/CF (Central Forward) or cut

back to offensive midfielders

Defense

Mark wingers from other team

Force play wide towards sideline and prevent crosses from coming in

Pinch close into #4/RCB (Right Center Back) when team loses possession

Right Outside Back Area of Responsibility (#2): Get wide and overlap,

force play wide on defense

Left Outside Back (#3)

Responsibilities

Offense

Stay wide – “chalk on boots” (stick close to touchlines when team has

possession)

Play ball through #6/LDM (Left Defensive Midfield) and #11/LAM (Left

Attacking Midfield

Overlap, overlap, overlap

Take the ball to end line and cross into #9/CF (Central Forward) or cut

back to offensive midfielders

Defense

Mark wingers from other team

Force play wide towards sideline and prevent crosses from coming in

Pinch close into #5/LCB (Left Center Back) when team loses possession

Left Outside Back Area of Responsibility (#3): Get wide and overlap,

force play wide on defense

Central Defense (#4 and #5)

Responsibilities

Offense

Play the ball wide to #3/LB (Left Back) and #2/RB (Right Back)

Play ball through #6 and #8 (Holding Midfielders)

Support midfield to maintain possession

Get to comers of the 18 yard box to begin play from the back

Defense

Mark central strikers from other team

Win tackles and headers

Use the goal keeper to keep possession

Central Defenders Area of Responsibility (#4 and #5): Stay central and

organized, force play wide

MIDFIELD PLAYERS

4-2-3-1 system of play midfield is composed of 2 Center Defensive Midfield

players and 3 Attacking Midfield Players.

The 2 Defensive Midfield players are the ones that hold the midfield disrupting

the opponents attacks and also act as connecting or starting point of their team

attacks.

These 2 players will be the backbone of defense and they will need to be

DESTROYERS on the team, not afraid to tackle hard and go for dead balls.

Defensive Midfield players will want to have the ability to win headers and

defend in 1v1 situations. They will also need to read the game very well.

Defensive Midfield players will need solid passing skills and the ability to stay

calm when the ball is passed to them because they will act as connectors

between defense and attack.

Their job is to protect the defense and stop the attack before it reaches the

Center Backs.

4-2-3-1 formation in soccer will play with 3 Attacking Midfielders that will have

to constantly join the attack helping the Forward and then quickly transition

back on defense when the ball changes possession.

Attacking Midfielders will position themselves into Center Attacking, Left

Attacking and Right Attacking Midfield players.

Right and Left Attacking Midfield players will want to spread the game down the

sidelines.

These players will have to be in top conditioning shape because of constantly

running forward to support the attack than running back to support the defense.

Because of solid defense behind the Attacking Midfielders, they will have the

freedom of always joining the attack.

Attacking Midfield Players will have great vision of the field spotting their

teammate runs, ability to read the game very well, great ball control,

exceptional passing and quick decision making skills.

These players will also need to know how to score goals because they will be

used as attacking force along with the lone forward.

Players suited for this position will often be the ones that get most touches on

the ball during practice.

This player will want the ball most out of everyone else on the field and will

somehow find the space to receive the ball most during practice.

Having a good shot from distance and playing with both feet is a big plus.

Players in this soccer position will move from their own penalty box to their

opponent’s penalty box.

The picture above shows the most important zone that each position in midfield

covers.

Defensive Midfield players will not want to be more than 20 YDS/M away from

the Attacking Midfield line when defending.

Deeper Defensive Midfield goes back when defending, Attacking Midfield will

follow.

Attacking Midfield will run from one penalty box to another.

Central Attacking Midfielder (#10)

Responsibilities

Offense

Setup goals with passing

Play the ball out to #11/LAM (Left Attacking Midfield) and #7/RAM (Right

Attacking Midfield)

Play give and go’s with #9/CF (Central Forward)

Play through balls between defenders for #9/CF (Central Forward),

#11/LAM (Left Attacking Midfield) and #7/RAM (Right Attacking Midfield)

Use #6/LDM (Left Defensive Midfield) and #8/RDM (Right Defensive

midfield) to maintain possession when receiving ball with back to goal

Defense

Pressure defensive midfielder when he has the ball

Drop centrally to clog middle and force ball out wide

Central Attacking Mid Area of Responsibility (#10): Support

defensively but focus on offense

Left Attacking Midfield (#11)

Responsibilities

Offense

Stay pinched in closer to the middle and get into attack when ball moves

forward

Play the ball out wide to overlapping #3/LB (Left Outside Back)

Play give and go’s with #9/CF (Central Forward) and #10/CAM (Central

Attacking Midfield)

Play through balls between defenders for #9/CF (Central Forward) and

#10/CAM (Central Attacking Midfield)

Cut in on right foot to take shots at goal

Defense

Pressure outside defensive back when he has the ball

Force the ball wide towards the sidelines

Cover defensively for #3/LB (Left Outside Back) when he goes forward on

overlapping run

Left Attacking Midfield Area of Responsibility (#11): Stay pinched in,

support Central Striker attack

Right Attacking Midfield (#7)

Responsibilities

Offense

Stay pinched in closer to the middle and get into attack when ball moves

forward

Play the ball out wide to overlapping #2/RB (Right Outside Back)

Play give and go’s with #9/CF (Central Forward) and #10/CAM (Central

Attacking Midfield)

Play through balls between defenders for #9/CF Central Forward) and

#10/CAM (Central Attacking Midfield)

Cut in on right foot to take shots at goal

Defense

Pressure outside defensive back when he has the ball

Force the ball wide towards the sidelines

Cover defensively for #2/RB (Right Outside Back) when he goes forward

on overlapping run

Left Attacking Midfield Area of Responsibility (#7): Stay pinched in,

support Central Striker attack

Left Holding Midfield (#6)

Responsibilities

Offense

Play the ball wide to #3/LB (Left Outside Back) on overlaps

Play give and go’s with #11/LAM (Left Attacking Midfield) and #10/CAM

(Central Attacking Midfield)

Play ball over the top to #9/CF (Center Forward)

Defense

Cut off passing lanes from opposition midfield to forward

Close down space on opposition offensive midfielders

Stay in from of defensive support

Drop into middle between #5/LCB (Left Center Back) and #4/RCB (Right

Center Back) when the spread wide to play the ball out of the back

Left Holding Midfield Area of Responsibility (#6): Stay central in front

of defenders, win the ball

Right Holding Midfield (#8)

Responsibilities

Offense

Play the ball wide to #2/RB (Right Outside Back) on overlaps

Play give and go’s with #11/LAM (Left Attacking Midfield) and #10/CAM

(Central Attacking Midfield)

Play ball over the top to #9/CF (Center Forward)

Defense

Cut off passing lanes from opposition midfield to forward

Close down space on opposition offensive midfielders

Stay in from of defensive support

Drop into middle between #5/LCB (Left Center Back) and #4/RCB (Right

Center Back) when the spread wide to play the ball out of the back

Right Holding Midfield Area of Responsibility (#8): Stay central in front

of defenders, win the ball

ATTACKING PLAYER

Although this formation appears as if there was only one Forward, that is not

the case because of constant Attacking Midfielders joining the attack and

becoming Forwards.

Suddenly 1 lone attacker turns into 4 strikers.

The Center Forward position in this 4-2-3-1 soccer formation is preferred to be

tall and strong point man that can win the ball in the air and shield it until help

arrives.

This Forward will be clinical finisher with the ability to score from rare

opportunities.

Center Forward/Striker (#9)

Responsibilities

Offense

Score goals

Hold the ball with back to goal and pass to attacking midfielders

Play give and go’s with the supporting players

Make runs between defenders for through balls from attacking midfielders

Defense

Pressure defenders with the ball

Force play to one side of the field to make it easier to defend in the

offensive half

Central Sticker Area of Responsibility (#9): High up the field, usually in

the middle