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	Formations

	Soccer is all about scoring and stopping goals. But there are many different tactics that can be used in pursuit of these aims. It might be better to play more defensively to hold on to a lead. Or if the team are losing, a more attacking set up that allows the players to push further forward may be required. To alter the way the team is playing requires a change to the structure. Traditionally, teams play in a 4-4-2 formation. But as the game has progressed and developed, coaches and players have experimented with many variations of team formations. Adaptability is the key and the best coaches can change formations as the game progresses. Check out the guide to some of the more basic formations below.

	4-4-2

It's the most common formation in soccer.

4-4-2 - that is four defenders, four midfielders and two forwards.

It is an adaptable system where you have strength in midfield and plenty of width.

Having two forwards means that the front line has extra support rather than having to wait for the midfield to reach them.

This formation, like others, tends to free up the full-backs who will have more time on the ball than midfielders, particularly if the opposition is playing 4-4-2 as well.

In fact some coaches have deemed the two central midfielders in this formation as defenders and the full backs as forwards.

This formation also offers the chance for one of the two central midfielders to get forward and support the forwards.

Sometimes the two midfielders will take turns in pushing forward to keep the defenders guessing.

But some teams favor a more solid approach, assigning a defensive midfielder to cover the defense.

This variation of the 4-4-2 formation has been called the diamond formation as the four midfielders form a diamond-like shape.

This favors a team which doesn't have strong wingers.


	4-3-3

4-3-3 - that is four defenders, three midfielders and three attackers

This formation is quite an attacking one.

4-3-3 - that is four defenders, three midfielders and three forwards.

The system allows you to have three forwards whilst still having a strong midfield.

The three midfielders will normally play quite closely together to give protection to the defense and so they cannot be passed around by the opposition.


	The three forwards will split across the pitch to provide width to the attack. Usually you would have a central forward with one each side of him. If a coach needs a goal late on in a game then he may opt to move to three up front.


	4-5-1

Traditionally favored by European teams, the 4-5-1 formation is becoming ever more popular in the English Premiership.

It is most commonly seen when a team is holding a one-goal lead in a two-legged match.

The 4-5-1 - that is four defenders, five midfielders and one forward - is often seen in European games where teams face a tough away fixture and the coach chooses to pack the midfield.

It can be very effective, particularly at keeping possession, and with five midfielders covering the defense it provides a solid base. Sometimes you will see 10 men behind the ball.

But it also means that attacking options are limited. The forward often has a lone battle up front.

It works best with a big, strong front player who can win the ball in the air and hold it up until support arrives.

Otherwise it can produce relatively few goal-scoring chances.

This system has a lot in common with the 4-3-3 formation, which the 4-5-1 becomes when the wide midfielders join the lone forward.

Put simply, you play 4-3-3 when you have the ball and 4-5-1 when you do not.

	5-3-2

This formation was popular a few years ago and can be the an effective way of switching between defense and attack.

The 5-3-2 formation has five defenders, three midfielders and two forwards - although two of the defenders are expected to play attacking roles.

So you could almost call it a 3-5-2 formation if you wanted to.

Across the back line there are three central defenders - occasionally with one acting as a sweeper - so it provides good cover at the back if the two central defenders are vulnerable.

The two wing-backs who operate up the flanks (sides), play a key role in this line-up and it allows them to attack.

It is their job to work the full length of the pitch, supporting both the defense and the attack by getting crosses in and tackling back respectively.

If these two attacking defenders struggle with the pace of the game the team can be left short of support - be it up front or at the back so they need to be very fit.

	4-4-1-1

This formation is not as confusing as it looks.

It is a simple variation of 4-4-2 in which the second forward plays just behind the main forward but ahead of the midfield.

If a player plays ahead of the midfield but behind the forward it causes problems for the opposition because they will find it hard to mark them.

The midfield already have four midfielders to mark and if a defender takes up the job, he will get pulled out of defense.

This formation allows a creative player a bit more freedom to operate, he has more options - to pass short or long, dribble, cut wide or bear down on goal.

If he fails to create an opening for himself, more often than not he will create goal scoring chances for others.

And the added advantage is that if he creates something further forward, he can arrive late in the box to join the attack.