Your team will also have to look after the ball in tight positions too and have players who are confident playing in your own third of the pitch because this is what 3-2-3 requires. It is no good mastering long passing if you’re players are unable to control it and gift possession straight back to the other team! In this 9 v 9 soccer formation you must also ensure you have players who are comfortable receiving the ball.
with their back to their own goal so that they can have maximum field of vision and respond to quick switches in play. It's important that when they do this the covering wide defender plays with their shoulders open i.e. For instance, when the ball is on the left, the wide defender on that side of the pitch engages with the ball while the wide defender on the right tucks in to play as a third centre half and vice versa. Again, this is highly reliant upon the ability of the 2 wide defenders to cover ground.Ī further alternative is for the 2 wide defenders to pivot when the ball is in wide positions on the pitch. This formation comes into its own when the 2 wide defenders are athletic and can cover a lot of ground.Īn extension of this formation is to allow the 2 wide defenders to play as high as the ball, meaning you either defend with 4, play in midfield with 4 or attack with 4 depending on where the ball is in play at any given time. The same applies to the lone strikers, they need support from other players or a quality pass.The central column of 2 central defenders, 2 central midfield players and 2 forwards provide a solid spine to the team meaning that your team will always be able to compete in central areas. The full-backs are expected to work the full field length in a wingback formation. They need a good ‘engine’ to get up and down. It’s important when picking players to play there that they’ve got the right attributes. When the ball is passed, there will be a new triangle of players that should be on the move away from their markers.
Players waiting for a pass will constantly move to create an opportunity to pass. You ideally need to play in triangles.Ī player ideally will have two options when to pass the ball – this is the triangle. Forming combinations can be highly effective. So a full-back will be linking with a central midfielder. When players are in their positions, they’ll not only be combining with those directly next to them but those on a diagonal. That’s short, quick passing with one or two touches, played at a speed that is hard to close down and intercept. Tiki Taka is widely known for its combination play. Youth Soccer Players – Two players, battling for the ball Player Combinations – Defense & Attack Have them in a position where they’ll more often face a 1-on-1 situation. You don’t necessarily need the speed if you’ve players like Iniesta and Xavi, who can accurately control the ball and pass.Ī player with pace is best placed in a position that’ll be dangerous. Whether it’s the full-back in recovery or a winger taking on a player, it can be influential. Having pace is always a good trait for a team. Soccer Positions – Defense Midfield Forward. Players who play next to each other ideally complement one another with their attributes. You might have a central defender who is good at heading the ball but is slow.
Where to put Weak PlayersĪn opponent will look for weaknesses in your team, and any good coach will change the game to utilize your weak point.īe sure to minimize the risk by pairing players up who combine well. If your best player is a midfielder who can play a ball 60 yards into the corner, have a winger willing to run into space. Wherever that player is playing, who do they work with the best? Players often have a favorite player to play with – a trust factor may be because of a knowledge of what they can do and where they’ll be.Ī common saying in soccer is to build a team around your best player. When picking your system, getting the best out of your players is the intention. Soccer field infographic Formations – Positions – Systems: ConsiderationsĬhoosing your formation to play will depend on the following key points.