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Category Archives for "Soccer Formations"

4-1-2-1-2 Formation: The Ultimate Coaching Guide

The 4-1-2-1-2 formation is a great option for teams with capable individuals in every position.

Efficiency in central and wide areas opens up opportunities to make chances from anywhere.

However, a lack of talent in the midfield makes this system difficult to execute effectively.

It may be a more suitable option as a backup formation or as a tactical change when a team is trailing.

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9v9 Soccer Formations (8 Great Options to Choose From)

Usually played by 11 to 13-year-olds, 9v9 soccer allows players to hone their touch and technique before they progress to playing on a full-sized pitch.

At this age, they should also begin to grasp what positions to take up on the pitch, how to create space and time for themselves, and how to work alongside their teammates and make the most of their talents.

Naturally, formations play a crucial role in the players’ development by allowing them to thrive, learn new skills, and improve their tactical knowledge.

Let’s first take a look at some things to take into account when selecting a line up before looking at the best and most common 9v9 soccer formations and the pros and cons of each of them.

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7v7 Soccer Formations (7 Great Options to Choose From)

7v7 represents an important step up from 5v5 matches and helps youth players develop the necessary skills and knowledge to progress on to 9v9 and then 11v11 matches.

Formations obviously play a key role in this development with some focusing on being solid and defensive and others being more free and attack-minded.

Let’s take a look at some things to take into consideration when choosing your line up before looking at some of the best and most common 7v7 soccer formations.

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4-1-4-1 Formation – The Ultimate Coaching Guide

The 4-1-4-1 formation affords you a great deal of tactical flexibility and fluidity in terms of how you line up and this makes it a very useful formation, particularly if you have the appropriate personnel for it.

If you’re lacking a clinical striker, however, or the right player in the holding role, then you may be better off experimenting with another setup.

To give you a better idea of whether the 4-1-4-1 suits your team, let’s now take a look at what is needed to play the formation as well as some of its strengths and weaknesses.

After that, we’ll then examine each position and look at how to defend and attack using the 4-1-4-1 formation.

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5-3-2 Formation – Ultimate Coaching Guide (With Images)

The 5-3-2 formation is very defensive and can be a tough proposition for any team to face.

This is because it’s so hard to break down with five defenders sitting in front of the box and three midfielders hounding the opposition in front of them.

While it’s often used by teams hoping to sit back and snatch a win against a superior opponent, the formation can be surprisingly attack-minded. This depends on the personnel you have available to you though and the instructions you give the players.

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