Structures and Structures and Strategies Strategies

By Gav n AjBy Gav n Aj

4-4-24-4-2

4-4-24-4-2• The most common formation you will likely see in British

football is the 4-4-2. • It's made up of four defenders, four midfielders and two strikers. • It is an adaptable system where you have strength in midfield and

plenty of width. • • Having two strikers 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 see the two central midfielders in this formation as defenders and the full-backs as attackers.

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

AdvantagesAdvantages• 4-4-2 formation has equal capabilities in defence and

offence. Using 4-4-2 formation, we will be able to cover almost the whole field, from box to box. In short, 4-4-2 is

the most balance formation among others. • Defensively it is very string as it allows 8 outfield players to

get behind the ball.• In attack it allows the wide midfielders to overlap and join

the front line.• Very compact in defence giving good support• Well balanced formation

WeaknessesWeaknesses

• It can be wasteful in that you need 4 at the back row defenders to cover 2 strikers

• Can be over run in midfield by a 3-5-2

Player RolesPlayer Roles• WDMOPTCCS-Why Did Mr Octopus Pass The

Chocolate Cake Sideways• Width• Depth• Mobility• Overload• Penetration • Tempo• Cover• Communication• Support

Defensive RolesDefensive Roles• Defence;

• 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.

Defensive RolesDefensive Roles• 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 RolesMidfield Roles• 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 RolesForwards Roles• 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".

TECHNICAL, PHYSICAL AND TECHNICAL, PHYSICAL AND PERSONAL QUALITIES REQUIRED PERSONAL QUALITIES REQUIRED

WHEN APPLYING STRATEGIESWHEN APPLYING STRATEGIES

Technical Physical Personal

GROUP AND TEAM GROUP AND TEAM PRINCIPLESPRINCIPLES

• ‘Why did Mr. Octopus pass the chocolate cake sideways / backwards’

Decisions made in 4-4-2 Decisions made in 4-4-2

TACTICAL OR DESIGN TACTICAL OR DESIGN ELEMENTSELEMENTS

• Tactical Elements are about:1. Recognising opponents individual and team weaknesses and

knowing how best to apply a structure/ strategy which can take advantage of highlighted weaknesses

2. Using individual and our team’s strengths to select, apply and adapt a structure/strategy

(Must also consider our weaknesses + opponents strengths)

Q. Discuss the importance of two of the following to ensure the effective performance of your chosen structure/strategy:

- Roles and Relationships- Group and Team principles- Tactical or Design Elements

Problems identified withProblems identified with 4-4-2 4-4-2

• Overload in Midfield (Against 3-5-2)• No Depth in Defence and midfield in 4-4-2• Lack of Width in Midfield • One Left footed player for a 4-4-2(lack of

balance)• Strikers playing too far up the pitch resulting in

no Target Man for Midfield or Wide Players to link with (parallel attack rather than tandem)

Programme to develop Programme to develop 4-4-24-4-2

How to analyse 4-4-2How to analyse 4-4-2• Match Analysis Sheet• Video• Observation checklist• Internal & External Feedback

3-5-23-5-2

3-5-23-5-2• The 3-5-2 formation tends to be

selected by attack minded who have fit, fast wingbacks in the squad

AdvantagesAdvantages• Strength:

3-5-2 formation sacrifice some of your defensive capability in order to maximize attack. " Offense is the best defence" became the main philosophy of this formation. 3-5-2 is almost the strongest formation in midfield battle. Midfield area is very important to build an offensive movement and counter attack. Midfield area is also important to prevent enemy counter attack, and if you use pressing style (closing all over).

WeaknessesWeaknesses• 3-5-2 formation is very vulnerable in defence especially

when the enemy launch a counter attack. Because you have lack of defender, they must be kept in your red area (see stone wall). Both of your DM also may not move too far from your yellow area (see stone wall).

Player RolesPlayer Roles• Defence

• Sweeper (SW) In this formation, the sweeper needs absolute control over the defenders. The communication between the defenders has to be almost perfect, since they are more likely to be out numbered than the 4-4-2 defenders.Central Defender (CD) Marks a forward, and also organizes the defense.Left/Right Defenders (LD/RD) Communication is the key to a stabile 3 men defense. Should be less active in offensive plays unless the midfielders can fill in.

MidfieldMidfield• Left/Right Centermidfielders (LC/RC) Both center

midfielders play a defensive part in this formation. They cover for the center midfielder who leads the offensive plays, and at least one of them functions as a defender when the ball is in their own half of the pitch.Left/right Midfielders (LM/RM) Need to call for the ball more than usual, since a team with a central midfielder tends to drive the ball up the middle rather than the outsides.Centermidfielder (CM) This player needs good ball handling and passing skills, since the CM has the control over the offensive plays, distribution of the ball in the opponent's half, and standard situations.

ForwardsForwards• Forwards (F1/F2) One of these

should occasionally drop back to support the center midfielder

How to monitor and How to monitor and evaluate programmeevaluate programme