Today’s main systems• 4-4-2, 4-3-3, 4-2-3-1• All other systems are derived from these.Three functions of every system:1. Attacking2. Build-up3. Defensive• Every system has it’s “pros & cons”• What are you prepared to “give up” ? • Players’ strengths and weaknesses (profile)
Traditional 4-4-2
• Back 4 – one full back joined in, normally down his side of play
• 2 centre half's – good defenders particularly in air; not so comfortable in possession
• Midfield 4 – well spread
• One attack minded; One defensive minded
Traditional 4-4-2• Wide players stay wide;
work tram lines and support their full back
• Wide players often out and out wingers
• Central midfield – balanced 1 holding as attack develops, 1 linked with attack
• Strikers – 1 target man; 1 quick player
Name team’s with success of 4-4-2
4-4-2 DiamondDifferences – • Back 4 – bigger responsibility for full backs
to provide width, quite often at the same time
• Screener/ holding midfield – linked to defence and often plays behind the ball
• Wide players now play in-field – leaving space on outside for full backs to move into from deep
4-4-2 Diamond
• Advanced midfield player; responsibility to link with front 2, provide penetration with passes/dribbles
• Strikers play together and at times apart, looking for balls down the side between centre half/full back
4-3-3 – version 1
• Again back 4 consisting of 2 centre half's/ 2 full backs
• Holding/screening midfielder
• 2 attacking midfield players
• 2 wide players (wingers?)
• 1 striker (target man)
4-3-3 – version 1
• Full backs need to support/provide the width• Screener protects the back 4 – centre of defence or
full back area eg Dunga• Centre midfield players look to exploit space, in
front of opponents and in behind• Wide players look to get 1 on 1 with opposition
full back• Striker, good at leading the line/screening-
protecting the ball and decent in the air
4-3-3 – version 2Differences
• Two full backs encouraged to push on to provide the width
• Two screeners/ holding midfielders; these stay close together and protect back 4
• Advanced midfielder – link between defenders/ defensive midfield and attacking unit
4-3-3 – version 2• Wide players play out to in on opposite side
of attacking flank (becoming 2nd striker)• Striker needs to link play/ be bright in his
movement and look for opportunities to get between defenders either by dribbling with the ball or receiving a pass
• This can also translate into 4-2-3-1
4 – 3 – 3 variation
• Based on central overload in midfield
• Width provided by both FBs holding wide positions in attack and pushing high
• Both wide MFs come infield and look to play behind opposition MF and in front of opposition Back 4 ( in the hole )
• Creates a 5 man midfield against opposition with CMF holding to cover CHs
Selecting a “system of play”
• Familiarity of system as a player
• Familiarity of system as a coach
• Tradition of the team
• Views of the coach
• Influenced by recent events i.e. Results