What kind of shape does your team have on match day? Getting players to fit a formation can be a tricky business especially at the younger age groups, it’s all about getting the players to understand how the formation works and their role in it.
Most young players like to be striker but some players prefer to play with the ball in front of them. So you have to work on a strategy and how to get players involved – it all boils down to understanding.
Start by getting an understanding of the way teams build up as they progress through the age groups. How teams work up from 5v5 to 11v11 shows you in diagrams the way the two new outfield players are integrated into each formation.
For the Under 6, Under 7 and Under 8 age groups who will play 4v4 (without a goalkeeper) or 5v5 with a goalkeeper the 1-2-1 formation works on a diamond shape that gives support in defence and attack. It relies on the coach being able to get across to the two midfield players the importance of both getting back into defence and supporting the striker.
If you are a coach working with Under 9s and Under 10s the 7v7 formation begins to work on other factors. The 2-1-2-1 formation is ideal for advancing 7-a-side teams to a more tactical attacking game with the ability to go with three upfront, which makes it hard to defend against.
And for coaches of Under 11 and Under 12 teams playing 9v9, with the extra tactical difficulties involved, here are my two “go to” formations:
1-3-1-2-1 is a very strong formation with diamonds from back to front, it is solid in the middle and excellent on the counter attack. It also offers plenty of support from midfield to attack.
3-3-2 is similar to the traditional 4-4-2, and sets up a good, solid base from which to defend and attack.
This is the best formation for an all out attack. Check out the pros and cons of the 2-1-2-1 formation at 7-a-side for Under 9 and Under 10 teams. MORE
With more teams playing 9v9 at U11 and U12, we take a look at the formations your side could play for this team size. This is the 1-3-1-2-1 formation MORE
The diagrams in this post show how soccer formations progress from 5v5 through to 11v11 – you can see how each change in formation adds players into the mix. MORE
How often are you winning at half-time only to throw the game away because your players are not sure what to do? Should they go for another goal or shore up the defence? MORE
It may sound like I am being negative suggesting ways to stop teams passing but study any of the successful teams around the world and you will see the hard work that goes into stopping teams passing through or around midfields and defences. MORE
It is that time of year when coaches of all nationalities are drawn to the United States to gather together at the largest soccer convention in the world. Over five days there will be more than 250 educational opportunities for coaches MORE
Getting back into the swing of training every week can be hard work. Certainly for me when faced with a dozen U9 players training last night was very stop/start as players got their legs working again and tried to pass and receive.
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The best teams communicate on the pitch. Players encourage one another, call for the ball, organise the defence and look around them to see who is open to the pass. Communication is the key to making your team more successful. MORE
One thing we all wish for in the New Year is that our teams score more goals and do so using the style of play we work on with our teams at training. Pass and move, get into good positions and create goal scoring chances. MORE
“I took a free trial and I was blown away by the drills; it made my training sessions so much easier. ”
