However, under the modernization of the game this formation has become very popular, notably because it is easily switchable between a very defensive system and a very attacking system. The 3-5-2 soccer formation, was traditionally known as an ‘Italian formation’ as few outside of Italy would use it. ‘Holes’, inevitably then open up when this is done and opportunities to concede further goals occur.
#Tactical soccer ball free#
Weakness: this formation does have one significant drawback – if the opposition side scores first, often from a ‘set piece’ such as a corner or free kick then it is very difficult for the team using this formation to get back into the game as it often requires ‘wholesale’ changes to the players’ involved and the formation itself, just to try and get back into the match and earn a draw. However, you would not see many soccer purists or even people who enjoy the game calling this ‘artful’, nor are you ever likely to see it employed to any extent in or by Brazil! Jose Mourinho the infamous manager of some of the most extremely successful sides, (trophies wise), in history, including Porto, Chelsea, Real Madrid, and Inter Milan, has made it into his very own ‘art form’. This formation is not pretty to say the least but can be very effective. It is also a system which is very difficult to score against, especially if played rigidly and ‘flat’ for there are effectively ‘two walls’ of defence in front of the goalkeeper that a team has to penetrate in order to score. Notably, the team employing it, ‘swamps’ midfield in an effort to not just control the game but to place a ‘strangle hold over it’ by dominating possession. This system can be extremely difficult to play against for any team for several reasons. The 4-5-1 formation is the first real defensive soccer formation that we’ll take a look at. Similarly it can also be put under pressure by teams that play 5 players in midfield, as they simply swamp the area and then control the game. Weakness: Its weakness if any is that it is a fairly centralized system which leaves space on the sides of the pitch for wingers or teams that play an expansive passing game to exploit. Barcelona for example are notable exponents of this formation. Considered attacking in nature it is utilized by teams that are very good technically going forward both as a unit and at speed on the counter attack. As I’m sure you’ll have now gathered it consists of four defenders, three midfielders and three attackers. The 4-3-3 system is probably the second most commonly used soccer formation in World Soccer history and indeed today.
Let’s however first start with 4-3-3, Four, Three, Three
Pep Guardiola at Manchester City on the other hand (who is widely regarded as the greatest coach in modern club football) employs a variety of different soccer formations and systems from week to week according how he feels a formation will best suit each game. Jürgen Klopp at Liverpool FC for example rarely alters from a 4-3-3 set-up, citing this consistency of approach as a major reason for his recent successes. If he doesn’t and the opposition win the ball then it is likely the opposing winger can expose a big hole that has been left and create a goal scoring chance. If a player, say for example, the left back finds himself venturing into a more advanced role up towards the oppositions penalty area then it is imperative that he ‘calls’ to one of his team-mates (probably the left midfielder) to fill in for him.
#Tactical soccer ball license#
What is absolutely key to this system is its rigid nature – players must stick to their roles and should not and are not given license to move vastly out of position or the formation will be exposed by the holes that occur. Conversely, if a team is attacking, the defence and midfield should move up the field as a ‘unit’ and help support the strikers in an effort to score goals. So, for example, if a team is under pressure then the midfield (and even the strikers) will ‘sit’ deeper on the pitch in order to relieve pressure on the defence.
The midfield is perhaps the key to the formation as they dictate the play of the game and each member should know when to help out both the defence and the attack according to how the ‘flow’ of the game is progressing.