Formations - The things which make football a subject to be studied.
Posted on March 15, 2008 Filed Under Basics of Football, Tricks, tips & drills
Football is all about scoring and stopping goals. But there are many different tactics that can be used in pursuit of these aims - and that’s where the manager earns his crust.
It might be better to play more defensively to hold on to a lead. Or, if the team is 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 - that is four defenders, four midfielders and two strikers.
But, as the game has progressed and developed, managers and players have experimented with many variations of team formations.
Adaptability is the key and the best managers can change formations as the game progresses.
The 3-4-3:
3-4-3 is my favourite formation. I like it because I like to play attacking football with a solid defence. And this I think gives the proper balance. It has three centre backs with two holding midfielders in the centre. This is solidifies the defence. It also has two traditional midfielders who operate on the attacking half who are more on the sides than in the centre. In front of them are two wingers preferably pacy and skillful with an ability to go past full backs and deliver the right ball to the lone forward who will be waiting inside the penalty area to pounce on anything that comes in. I would prefer someone like Adriano for that position. You also need a very strong shot stopping Goal Keeper.
The disadvantages in this formation are that even if the opponent have moderate wingers the wings can be easily exploited and the team will surely be punished for that. Or if one of the midfielders diverts one of the centre backs into the wing then there will only be two defenders at the back line to protect the goal.
The advantage of this formation is just one and that is the fact that Goals!! are assured. We must not forget that only goals win matches for you.
The 4-1-2-1-2:
A formation which the French national team made famous. With Zidane in an attacking role and Henry and Trezeguet lurking in the centre, the french won Euro 2000 with this formation. I needn’t say much about this formation. It has the perfect balance.
The 3-5-2:
The 3-5-2 has three defenders, five midfielders and two attackers.
The two wide midfielders are really attacking full-backs, so you could almost call it a 5-3-2 formation if you wanted to.
Glenn Hoddle favoured this system when he was in charge of England.
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, play a key role in this line-up.
It allows them to attack and Brazilians Cafu and Roberto Carlos were masters at this.
It is their job to work the full length of the pitch, supporting both the defence 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.
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