Formations

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

4-4-2Diamond

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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

4-3-3Standard

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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

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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

Question;Do players make the system or does

the system make the players ?