Soccer team positions and player set up

Soccer team positions,
Systems of play,team formation and set up.

The first soccer team position and player set up to consider is

#1  Soccer team position  4-4-2

Defense

4, defenders are usually arranged as outside left, inside left, inside right and outside right.
The most recent idea is to have them lined up in a banana shape with the middle of the curve closest to the goalkeeper and the outside defenders, the points, slightly ahead but behind the midfielders.
As this is the shape of a banana the defenders can see one another usualy all the time.

Some considered the flat back option but this means much more communication from the capitain of the defense usually one of the insiders.
The general idea is to have the two defenders attend to the attack coming in from their side.

This means that the opposite outside tucks in a little to cover the center of the field covering the goal and any incoming additional attacking opponents.
When the team has possession the defenders would then play wide to stretch out the other teams attackers.
This is also known as playing it around the back.

Sometimes the defenders can be lined up in a diamond shape. This is to utilize the last player back as a "sweeper" who clears the ball up the field and out to the other defenders and mid fielders.
This player is in constant communication with the goalkeeper and relays the message to the other defenders. This is because the goalkeepers can see the complete field from their vantage point.

At times and in some cases too often this central defender will by-pass the midfield and play it up to the forwards. I say too often because this usually has the forwards out numbered by the opposing defenders.. However there are a few "power forwards" who could handle this situation, but most are unable too.

The defender at the top of the diamond is considered the "stopper" whose duty is to challenge any attack or attacking play. They usually play from side to side rather than up and down the field.
These defenders are involved in shutting down any play and play making.
These players really read the game well. They need to, or they would be doing all the running.

Midfield

4, mid-fielders are usually arranged as outside left, inside left, inside right and outside right.
The outside players are called, wingers or flank players and are also involved in striking at the goal.
This would make this line up have a possibility of 4 strikers at any given time.
These wingers usually have the bulk of the running to do as they could carry the ball from the defending third and into the attacking third.
This also depends on the team strategy as outlined by the coaching staff.

The two inside midfielders are supposed to be the "play makers". These are the individuals who are responsible for carrying out the plans the coach and players have designed and used as the methods of attack and goal scoring.
These positions have traditionally played these roles. However nowadays the play making comes from anyone and sometimes all the players at any given time.
These inside players have also been more defensive in their general on field play.
This defensive idea is to stop the opposition from creating attacking options.

Forwards

These are the main ggoooooooooooalll scoring machines. The ones who react to the ball quickly and are able to shoot from any place on the field.
To be effective they should work closely together as a team and pair. To this extent they are sometimes called "twin strikers".
They are also responsible for creating space by making the defenders mark them.
They make the defense leave their zonal resposibilities whereby taking them "out of the game".

#2 Soccer team position 4-5-1

Defense

4, defenders are usually arranged as outside left, inside left, inside right and outside right.
The most recent idea is to have them lined up in a banana shape with the middle of the curve closest to the goalkeeper and the outside defenders, the points, slightly ahead but behind the midfielders.

Some considered the flat back option but this means much more communication from the capitain of the defense usually one of the insiders.
The general idea is to have the two defenders attend to the attack coming in from their side.
This format requires a high degree of verbal communication in addition to sight and hand gestures.

With both of these options the opposite outside tucks in a little to mark the center of the field covering the goal and any incoming additional attacking opponents.
When the team has possession the defenders would then play wide to stretch out the other teams attackers.
This is also known as playing it around the back.

Sometimes the defenders can be lined up in a diamond shape. This is to utilize the last player back as a "sweeper" who clears the ball up the field and out to the other defenders and mid fielders.
This player is in constant communication with the goalkeeper and relays the message to the other defenders. This is because the goalkeepers can see the complete field from their vanatge point.

At times and in some cases too often this central defender will by-pass the midfield and play it up to the forwards. I say too often because this usually has the forwards out numbered by the opposing defenders.. However there are a few "power forwards" who could handle this situation, but most are unable too.
It does create a certain amount of excitment with this surprize attacking option.

The defender at the top of the diamond is considered the "stopper" whose duty is to challenge any attack or attacking play. They usually play from side to side rather than up and down the field.
This defender is involved in shutting down any play and play making.
These players really read the game well. They need to, or they would be doing all the running as the ball is in constant motion.

Midfield

5, midfielders

Two outside/wing players who dominate the flanks of the field. They also act as attackers creating many scoring opportunities for their teams.
These are hard working players and a usually super-fit. However sometimes after a few runs on the side these can switch with inside players for a rest.
If this is possible, the team can keep their opponents confused and always looking for changing plays and positions.
This type of positonal play can not be defended by a man-on-man team defense. This requires a good zone defense and a constantly communicative team.

The 2 inside players are usually defensive in their roles but will become part of the attack when their team has possession. They will generally use the central midfielder to create plays and control the tempo of the game.

Forward,

This team is usually confident of their lone striker.
The striker in this formation actually acts as a "post-up" player. This means that this striker at times plays with the opposing defense at his/her back.
This player will try and stretch the defense, will receive the ball to lay it back to the oncoming team-mates to close the ground/space that this striker has created.
The cycle continues until a good scoring opportunity has been formulated.

Occationally this striker will turn and attack the goal when the timing is right.
This is usually communicated to the strikers by their team-mates.
However a great striker will sense these situations based on the run of play and the opportunities that this striker has created.

#3 Soccer team position  5-4-1

Defense

5, defenders

The addition to this defensive style is a central defender who can control the play from the back line.
This defender could also be an attacking player who will feed through balls to the striker. In addition to this the play maker will help create and initialze an attack from the defensive edge of the mid-field.
It can be thought that this player is also a mid-field player when the attack is mounted.

This team has this formation of positions in order not to lose.
They do not want goals scored against them and are usually willing to have a single goal scored for them and will to play for a draw, albeit 0-0.
It is also possible that their goalkeeper is not the "best" in the league.

It is possible however that this team has also been set up to play a strong attacking team.
This would mean that the coaching staff has done their homework and scouted the opposition.
All in all this team is more prepared to defend as opposed to attack.
This team is an opportunistic attacking team and will usually attack against the run of play.
This happens when the opposing team has made a mistake.

This system and idea can also produce and utilize the positions and concepts known as "wing back".
These are the players who can make over-lapping runs from their defensive ends right to the opposing goal lines.

When communicated properly the following happens.

1) A full on attack has been launched.
At least 5 are attacking simultaneously.

2) The outside midfield has now become support, over lapping and or cutting in and out when and where necessary.

3) Positons have changed to reflect those areas (space) not covered.
The attacking team has changed the zonal aspects and created a player mis-match numerically.

4, mid-fielders are usually arranged as outside left, inside left, inside right and outside right.
The outside players are called, wingers or flank players and are also involved in striking the goal.
This would make this line up have a possibility of 4 strikers at any given time.
These wingers usually have the bulk of the running to do as they could carry the ball from the defending third and into the attacking third.
This also depends on the team strategy as outlined by the coaching staff.

The two inside midfielders are supposed to be the "play makers". These are the individuals who are responsible for carrying out the plans the coach and players have designed and used as the methods of attack and goal scoring.
These positions have traditionally played these roles. However nowadays the play making comes from anyone and sometimes all the players at any given time.
These inside players have also been more defensive in their general on field play.
This defensive idea is to stop the opposition from creating attacking options.

This team will require a midfield who is willing to strike the goal at any given time.
Usualy 2 of these players are latent strikers.
They might feel confident that the defense is solid and willing to step up into the middle third of the field.
They then work in unison with the striker/forward.

This team is usually confident of their lone striker.
The striker in this formation actually acts as a "post-up" player. This means that this striker usually plays with the opposing defense at his/her back.
This player will try and stretch the defense, will receive the ball to lay it back to the oncoming team-mates to close the ground/space that this striker has created.
The cycle continues until a good scoring opportunity has been formulated.

Occationally this striker will turn and attack the goal when the timing is right.
This is usually communicated to the strikers by their team-mates.
However a great striker will sense these situations based on the run of play and the opportunities that this striker has created.

#4 Soccer team position 5-5

Defense

5, defenders

The addition to this defensive style is a central defender who can control the play from the back line.
This defender could also be an attacking player who will feed through balls to the striker. In addition to this the play maker will help create and initialze an attack from the defensive edge of the mid-field.
It can be thought that this player is also a mid-field player when the attack is mounted.

This team has this formation of positions in order not to lose.
They do not want goals scored against them and are usually willing to have a single goal scored for them and will to play for a draw albeit 0-0.
It is also possible that their goalkeeper is not the "best" in the league.
It is however possible that this team has also be set up to play a strong attacking team.
This would mean that the coaching staff has done their homework and scouted the opposition.
All in all this team is more prepared to defend as opposed to attack.
This team is an opportunistic attacking team and usually against the run of play.
This happens when the opposing team has made or been forced to make a mistake.

5, midfielders

Two outside/wing players who dominate the sides of the field. They also act as attackers creating many scoring opportunities for their teams.
These are hard working players and a usually super-fit. However sometimes after a few runs on the side these two can switch with the two inside players for a rest.
If this is possible, the team can keep their opponents confused and always looking for changing plays and positions.
This type of positonal play can not be defended by a man-on-man team defense. This requires a good zone defense and a constantly communicative team.

The 2 inside players are usually defensive in their roles but will become part of the attack when their team has possession. They will generally use the central midfielder to create plays and control the tempo of the game.

The tactical aspect of this team is to play within 2 thirds of the field at a time.
When defending they will remain in the defensive and middle thirds of the field.
While the attack is on the defense tries to occupy the middle third.
This is to gain space and pressure the opposing team to remain in their own defensive end.
This allows for an attack of the goal by 5 players at a time. Not that other systems doesn't allow this, but it is systematic in its nature and creates these opportunities.

#5 Soccer team position 3-5-2

Defense

3, defenders
These three are very confident that they can handle a lone striker or two forwards. They are also reliant on a good defensive midfield.
On the attack these players will play wide positions. On the defense these players will be more compact and allow the outside midfields to aid in the wider positions.
At times the inside mid-fielders will "show" for the ball. This creates an additional attack from the centre of the pitch as the mid-fielders become out let players. They are trying to convert the play by maintaining possession.

5, midfielders

Two outside/wing players who dominate the sides of the field. They also act as attackers creating many scoring opportunities for their teams.
These are hard working players and a usually super-fit. However sometimes after a few runs on the side these can switch with inside players for a rest.
If this is possible, the team can keep their opponents confused and always looking for changing plays and positions.
This type of positonal play can not be defended by a man on man team defense. This requires a good zone defense and a constantly communicative team.

The 2 inside players are usually defensive in their roles but will become part of the attack when their team has possession. They will generally use the central midfielder to create plays and control the tempo of the game.

Forwards

These are the main ggoooooooooooalll scoring machines. The ones who react to the ball quickly and are able to shoot from any place on the field.
To be effective they should work closely together as a team and pair. To this extent they are sometimes called "twin strikers".
They are also responsible for creating space by making the defenders mark them.
They make the defense leave their zonal resposibilities whereby taking them "out of the game".

#6 Soccer team position 3-4-3

Defense

3, defenders
These three are very confident that they can handle a lone striker or two forwards. They are also reliant on a good defensive midfield.
On the attack these players will play wide positions. On the defense these players will be more compact and allow the outside midfields to aid in the wider positions.
At times the inside mid-fielders will "show" for the ball. This creates an additional attack from the centre of the pitch as the mid-fielders become out-let players.
They are trying to convert the play by maintaining possession.
When there are only 4 midfielders the attitude is to feed the 3 strikers with the long ball from the back.

Midfield

4, mid-fielders are usually arranged as outside left, inside left, inside right and outside right.
The outside players are called, wingers or flank players and are also involved in striking the goal.
This would make this line up have a possibility of 4 strikers at any given time.
These wingers usually have the bulk of the running to do as they could carry the ball from the defending third and into the attacking third.
This also depends on the team strategy as outlined by the coaching staff.

The two inside mid-fielders are supposed to be the "play makers".
These are the individuals who are responsible for carrying out the plans the coach and players have designed and used as the methods of attack and goal scoring.
These positions have traditionally played these roles. However nowadays the play making comes from anyone and sometimes all the players at any given time.
These inside players have also been more defensive in their general on field play.
This defensive idea is to stop the opposition from creating attacking options.
They will then gain possession of the ball and and mount an immediate attack through their play making abilities.

Forwards

3, forwards,this is the first time in any formations that we discuss the possibility of three strikers.
This is a team who definitely has goal scoring in mind first.
They want to put pressure on the on their opponents by having a greater numerical advantage while attacking.

Additional notes
Although it is good to have a system for your team, remember that any team has to adjust to the opposition's system and style of play.
This means that some teams defend in a certain system and attack in another formation.
This shows the versatility of the team and the ability of the coach to recognize the strengths and weakness of the team and of the opposition.
If you are in a highly competitive situation as a coach you would need to have scouted the other teams or be aware of their potentials in certain areas.
If you are weaker in certain areas of your coaching abilities then try and acquire support to round off your teams potential.
When you have others in your corner you can do little else but learn something new.
You might not only grow but get "sparked" to learn more techniques in your areas of concern.
You will also have helped the team gain an edge and increase their chances of becoming winners.
Seek out the best for the best, has always been my "motto".