Cant wait to watch this. My team is making the step up from 7 a side this year. It's only there 2nd year together, plus players have come in and out. Also, I've only been coaching 12 months. Getting worried I may be out my depth!
I like the 341 Diamond. Solid back line of 3 defenders -- helps to have a CB who knows how to move a back line with inexperience at LB or RB. 4 midfield -- 2 wide, 1 CAM and 1 CDM. The 2 wide players can help out as back but become wingers on the attack, becoming something of a 323. Put the most athletic players at the wide positions and/or sub them.
3-4-1 for me wingers dropping in for playing out from the back allowing a 2 player overload in our favour with striker trying to keep defence at half way line or beyond. Find 3 midfield has been a disaster for us when CM makes an attack it’s left is a bit open
What do you think of the 3-4--1 when out of possession but then getting one of the 2 centre mids suporting the lone striker when in possession? Do you find 3-2-3 with kids a challenge when using wingers? I find the distances between winger and striker can cause connectivity issues
One reason I like the 3-2-3 is that it can become a 3-4-1 if the game is going poorly or if they are not getting the ball. Lots of triangles still and then one of the center mids can become a CDM making a 3-1-3-1. The 3-3-2 does not flex as easily or simply and there are not as many triangles. Having watched the 4-3-1 in action it really depends on having AMAZING fullbacks who can get forward.
This is what we have started to do so the wingers are our work horses who drop in deeper when playing out from the back to create an overload in our favour to get out of our third but when attacking they go in to a 3-2-3 type set up so lots of running for them. Central midfield pairing one will be more CAM and one will hold. Centrally more
Hi there. This is a great video thanks. Just noticed that in the 323 formation, the defence don’t push up right to the halfway line when attacking. Have I read this right? Cheers. Stew
Hi Stew! That all depends on the depth of the midfield players. The higher they push up the field in possession, the more the defenders have to squeeze up to maintain pressure. If the midfielders are deeper in possession then the defenders should drop off to deny space in behind the back line. Hope that helps!
Hi Carl, personally I would use the full backs to aid the press. Allow your fullbacks to push forward to create 2 extra midfielders. Essentially changing your shape to 2-5-1 when you are pressing the ball. Think of it in the same way that a 5-3-2 shape in 11 a side changes to a 3-5-2 in possession. I find these fullback are your best weapon in the press. As 1 striker can’t do it alone. Hope that helps!
you need your mid field to keep the press gaps secure and a solid back 3 who can get back quick if the press is broken. 3 4 1 is great gives the press a good chance and the shape is easy to recover
Striker press, 3 mid field move to cover the passing gaps , they must have pace to get to the interceptions, a holding mid fielder to cover the possibility of a central pass interception , CB 's as high up as you dare to cover the gap between mid and defence, you must not allow that gap to be to big . Any ball over the top should be easily picked up by a quick CB or even a keeper coming out of his line to cover that gap. Ultimately you need to have ball winners in your team , confident that they can win the ball. Practice the press static at first so players know what a press should look like. I tend to get two teams at our club together stand them in formation then have one team CB stand with the ball I'll then blow the whistle and give the other team 16 seconds to run into a static press , then I blow again and get them to really look at where they ended up , ask them if it would be a successful press . I would then if needed place them in correct positions and get them to look. After that I then get them to actually play it and see if they can replicate. We do this weekly to keep the knowledge firm in their heads.
What are your thoughts on 3-3-2? 3 defenders with 2 fullbacks to overlap when they have a chance. 3 midfielders consist of 1 DM, 1 AM and 1 RM/LM. 2 strikers with 1 target man, the other is given freedom to roam. Does the formation is good enough to play out from the back?
Absolutely, a back three is a great formation to play out from the back with because you have width and options ahead of the ball! As long as your roaming striker doesn’t take up the same spaces as you attacking or l/r midfielder then it’s a great shape!
I've just started helping my girls team, but the u12, but the coach doesnt think formations ate a good idea best to just plit them into roles such as tackling, shooting, passing to naturally move them into positions, is this wise? we've been hammered by the other teams recently..
Not at that age… players need to understand areas, responsibilities and marking at that age. Playing no formations makes it very hard to distinguish where things are going wrong and who is supposed to do what jobs.
Heh mate, my team go from 7 to 9 aside next season and I'm terrified! What basics should we be working on, drills, positioning etc. They were an awesome 7 aside team, but we move on to a dar bigger pitch, bigger goals and 9 players now! Any guidance is greatly appreciated
look at your players strengths and weaknesses and pick a formation built around the strongest player. 341 is great starting point and you will really need to practice proper pressing positions and staying in formaton at training to keep them working as a team unit.
Hard work for the wide players, they have to be wide in attacking areas and make long recovery runs to help out defenders too… As long as you have the right athletic players to play those wide roles it can be a really effective system! Helps if your central midfielders can operate as 1 CDM and one CAM! That way you don’t get caught out as easily on counter attacks!
Our team play kind of a 3113 formation with the cam and the striker basically being interchangeable, with one dropping down to get fed the ball and the other running in behind. Its highly dependent on our players, wouldnt recommend it for all teams, but for us it makes our build up highly unpredictable and almost impossible for teams to effectively press high.
I use 3-2-3 with DM and AM as the 2 in the middle. So it is a double diamond shape - CD, RB, LB - DM, AM, RW, LW - ST. But I like the idea of 4-3-1 with wingbacks. It all depends on the players you have and what stage of development they are. I personally dislike the 9v9 format and I think it's pointless. I prefer what they do in Spain - 7-12 years old play 7v7, then 13 and up they move to 11v11. Btw, Barca youth teams don't play 9v9 actually. They only play 7v7 and use 3-2-1 formation with DM and AM in midfield. Fullbacks attack every chance they get.
cant make players sit on a bench forever, teams at grassroots have a lot of kids desperate to play in teams if we stayed 7v7 at 11 then a lot would give up football and drift away , its hard enough at 9v9 to give everyone a good chance . 9v9 makes more sense in the UK with the numbers that want game time.
@@chriselliott-hare6717 They don't have to sit on the bench at all. And it doesn't mean they will because of the format they play. For 7v7 the roster is maximum 12 players. That's 5 subs if you max out your roster, which you don't have to btw. If there is a lot of kids who want to play, then form more teams. Playing time doesn't depend on the playing format at all. 9v9 is useless stupid format.
@@CatalanSoccer Thank God somebody asked about 4-3-1! This is what we've been playing at Under 12 level, and the kids seem to like it. Luckily we've a very fit and fast kid up front, that's constantly looking for the ball in behind, so stretches the game really well for our midfielders. It's hard work for the wide players though. In the 4-3-1, I assume you'd recommend the wide players stay wide, and not cut in to link play with the striker/midfielders?
Soarersan The wise men have a tough role, if they come inside too often and too far they compromise the width of the attacks. As a general rule, only one wide player would come inside at a time. If the ball is in the final third on the left side, the right sided winger would come in to help the striker and provide a goal threat. If the ball goes backwards, the right sided player then stretches back out to the wing to reset the shape of the attack. Like you say, hard work for the wingers! But once they understand the see-saw idea of one in and one out, you should see some differences in your attacking play 👍🏻
sweeper is a nice idea until you remember that offsides come in. We played our first 9v9 today with a flat three for that reason and we got about 10 offside decisions. However we did leak goals anyway,. so yaknow
Depends on the situation, sometimes you have a ref in the middle on their own and don’t give a single offside as they don’t want to get anything wrong. Sweepers can help when teams play with high strikers or you lack pace in defence!
Cant wait to watch this. My team is making the step up from 7 a side this year. It's only there 2nd year together, plus players have come in and out. Also, I've only been coaching 12 months. Getting worried I may be out my depth!
Thanks Michael! Our channel is full of guidance for coaches like yourself! Hope it helps!
Thank you will try them out
431-233 when you transition from defence-attack, and vice versus, worked really well for me:)
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Is that 1 CM?
I'm a defender and personally I hate 2 at the back
Whhat about 242
Love this, thank you very much for posting. I had been leaning towards the 4-3-1, and this has sold me
I like the 341 Diamond. Solid back line of 3 defenders -- helps to have a CB who knows how to move a back line with inexperience at LB or RB. 4 midfield -- 2 wide, 1 CAM and 1 CDM. The 2 wide players can help out as back but become wingers on the attack, becoming something of a 323. Put the most athletic players at the wide positions and/or sub them.
I ran this with a lot of success too
Fantastic video. Dare I say perfect. Well done
Thanks Chris! Hope it helps you on your coaching journey!
Thank u the formations are very ok
great advice the 3rd formation is the one that my team use thx
No problem Maddie! Thanks for the support!!
This is going to help me tremendously it gives me different variations I can use.
Thank you for the video explanation
Our absolute pleasure!
3-4-1 for me wingers dropping in for playing out from the back allowing a 2 player overload in our favour with striker trying to keep defence at half way line or beyond.
Find 3 midfield has been a disaster for us when CM makes an attack it’s left is a bit open
Great vid. Love the idea of a sweeper. My team just moved to 9 aside U12. Was just working out through formations.
Thanks Chris! Hope it come in useful! Lots of other helpful coaching tips on our channel!
Thanks Chris! Hope it come in useful! Lots of other helpful coaching tips on our channel!
coach l have learnt alot
I am for south Afrika,
Good video. Well thought through.
Thanks Markian
What are you're thoughts on the 3-4-1 please reply
This will be perfect. We're going from 7 a side to 9s.
a really good transition! giving you more formations options and new roles for kids to learn!
What do you think of the 3-4--1 when out of possession but then getting one of the 2 centre mids suporting the lone striker when in possession? Do you find 3-2-3 with kids a challenge when using wingers? I find the distances between winger and striker can cause connectivity issues
One reason I like the 3-2-3 is that it can become a 3-4-1 if the game is going poorly or if they are not getting the ball. Lots of triangles still and then one of the center mids can become a CDM making a 3-1-3-1. The 3-3-2 does not flex as easily or simply and there are not as many triangles. Having watched the 4-3-1 in action it really depends on having AMAZING fullbacks who can get forward.
This is what we have started to do so the wingers are our work horses who drop in deeper when playing out from the back to create an overload in our favour to get out of our third but when attacking they go in to a 3-2-3 type set up so lots of running for them. Central midfield pairing one will be more CAM and one will hold. Centrally more
Hi there. This is a great video thanks. Just noticed that in the 323 formation, the defence don’t push up right to the halfway line when attacking. Have I read this right? Cheers. Stew
Hi Stew!
That all depends on the depth of the midfield players. The higher they push up the field in possession, the more the defenders have to squeeze up to maintain pressure. If the midfielders are deeper in possession then the defenders should drop off to deny space in behind the back line. Hope that helps!
It does thanks. Really helpful. Massive game for us this weekend and this really helps.
Yes mate well done 👌👌👌👌
Thanks Darren!
Catalan Soccer can you do a few examples of attacking runs / movement in the final thirds and a session plan for it ? Would be appreciated
Thanks for the comment Darren! We will try and put something together for you soon!
Mate, would it be an effective formation if we use 3-2-3 sweeper
Yes absolutely! As long as your players I stand the sweeper role you can use it in any back 3 formation
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I want to become a coach any recommendations?
Pleased
How would you prefer to press from the 4-3-1 formation? Striker starts obviously but how does the shape shift behind them?
Hi Carl, personally I would use the full backs to aid the press. Allow your fullbacks to push forward to create 2 extra midfielders. Essentially changing your shape to 2-5-1 when you are pressing the ball. Think of it in the same way that a 5-3-2 shape in 11 a side changes to a 3-5-2 in possession. I find these fullback are your best weapon in the press. As 1 striker can’t do it alone. Hope that helps!
you need your mid field to keep the press gaps secure and a solid back 3 who can get back quick if the press is broken. 3 4 1 is great gives the press a good chance and the shape is easy to recover
Striker press, 3 mid field move to cover the passing gaps , they must have pace to get to the interceptions, a holding mid fielder to cover the possibility of a central pass interception , CB 's as high up as you dare to cover the gap between mid and defence, you must not allow that gap to be to big . Any ball over the top should be easily picked up by a quick CB or even a keeper coming out of his line to cover that gap. Ultimately you need to have ball winners in your team , confident that they can win the ball. Practice the press static at first so players know what a press should look like. I tend to get two teams at our club together stand them in formation then have one team CB stand with the ball I'll then blow the whistle and give the other team 16 seconds to run into a static press , then I blow again and get them to really look at where they ended up , ask them if it would be a successful press . I would then if needed place them in correct positions and get them to look. After that I then get them to actually play it and see if they can replicate. We do this weekly to keep the knowledge firm in their heads.
Brilliant
Thanks a lot! We hope it helped your coaching!
Wow that was awesome :)
What about the 242 or 422
What are your thoughts on 3-3-2? 3 defenders with 2 fullbacks to overlap when they have a chance. 3 midfielders consist of 1 DM, 1 AM and 1 RM/LM. 2 strikers with 1 target man, the other is given freedom to roam. Does the formation is good enough to play out from the back?
Absolutely, a back three is a great formation to play out from the back with because you have width and options ahead of the ball! As long as your roaming striker doesn’t take up the same spaces as you attacking or l/r midfielder then it’s a great shape!
Catalan Soccer Great stuffs! Thanks mate! 🤙🏻
Thank u so sosossosososososososossososososososos much
Anytime bro 👊🏻
Make a video about the 242
I love the sweeper formation, I use it with my team
Thanks Daniel! Glad it’s working for you guys!! Appreciate the support, thank you for watching
You miss one in my opinion 2,3,2,1 also a good transition into 4,3,3 when moving to 11 aside. What do you think?
Agreed that is a strong shape if you have the correct players to play a two man centre back pair in defence! Offers nice with two from your midfield!
@@CatalanSoccer thanks for your reply
If your new to coaching is there a best all round formation, which would you choose?
No unfortunately, depends on your players, style, opposition and coaching philosophy before you choose your formations
I've just started helping my girls team, but the u12, but the coach doesnt think formations ate a good idea best to just plit them into roles such as tackling, shooting, passing to naturally move them into positions, is this wise? we've been hammered by the other teams recently..
Not at that age… players need to understand areas, responsibilities and marking at that age. Playing no formations makes it very hard to distinguish where things are going wrong and who is supposed to do what jobs.
@@CatalanSoccer thanks for getting back, I will keep pushing to try and implement this and use your content as a reference :)
@@audibleadventures9004 how did it go?
My team usually plays with a 3-4-1
Heh mate, my team go from 7 to 9 aside next season and I'm terrified! What basics should we be working on, drills, positioning etc. They were an awesome 7 aside team, but we move on to a dar bigger pitch, bigger goals and 9 players now! Any guidance is greatly appreciated
look at your players strengths and weaknesses and pick a formation built around the strongest player. 341 is great starting point and you will really need to practice proper pressing positions and staying in formaton at training to keep them working as a team unit.
and the 242
Man I was looking for American football but this works too
im the opposite i searched up for football formations and got american football formations lol
Thank you so much
Our pleasure! Thanks for the support!
Our league doesn't allow much time for tactics boards in between quarters. Maybe I'll write a letter.
What are your thoughts on 2-4-2?
Hard work for the wide players, they have to be wide in attacking areas and make long recovery runs to help out defenders too… As long as you have the right athletic players to play those wide roles it can be a really effective system! Helps if your central midfielders can operate as 1 CDM and one CAM! That way you don’t get caught out as easily on counter attacks!
Our team play kind of a 3113 formation with the cam and the striker basically being interchangeable, with one dropping down to get fed the ball and the other running in behind. Its highly dependent on our players, wouldnt recommend it for all teams, but for us it makes our build up highly unpredictable and almost impossible for teams to effectively press high.
Love that!
It Georgie remember
note to self: CDM behind the ball even in possession
I use 3-2-3 with DM and AM as the 2 in the middle. So it is a double diamond shape - CD, RB, LB - DM, AM, RW, LW - ST.
But I like the idea of 4-3-1 with wingbacks. It all depends on the players you have and what stage of development they are. I personally dislike the 9v9 format and I think it's pointless. I prefer what they do in Spain - 7-12 years old play 7v7, then 13 and up they move to 11v11.
Btw, Barca youth teams don't play 9v9 actually. They only play 7v7 and use 3-2-1 formation with DM and AM in midfield. Fullbacks attack every chance they get.
Agreed - I think personally they should play 7v7 up through age 12
cant make players sit on a bench forever, teams at grassroots have a lot of kids desperate to play in teams if we stayed 7v7 at 11 then a lot would give up football and drift away , its hard enough at 9v9 to give everyone a good chance . 9v9 makes more sense in the UK with the numbers that want game time.
@@chriselliott-hare6717 They don't have to sit on the bench at all. And it doesn't mean they will because of the format they play. For 7v7 the roster is maximum 12 players. That's 5 subs if you max out your roster, which you don't have to btw. If there is a lot of kids who want to play, then form more teams. Playing time doesn't depend on the playing format at all. 9v9 is useless stupid format.
3-4-1?
A great shape! Tough for the central striker though, important your midfielders can get forward to support the lone frontman!
@@CatalanSoccer Thank God somebody asked about 4-3-1! This is what we've been playing at Under 12 level, and the kids seem to like it. Luckily we've a very fit and fast kid up front, that's constantly looking for the ball in behind, so stretches the game really well for our midfielders. It's hard work for the wide players though.
In the 4-3-1, I assume you'd recommend the wide players stay wide, and not cut in to link play with the striker/midfielders?
Soarersan The wise men have a tough role, if they come inside too often and too far they compromise the width of the attacks. As a general rule, only one wide player would come inside at a time. If the ball is in the final third on the left side, the right sided winger would come in to help the striker and provide a goal threat. If the ball goes backwards, the right sided player then stretches back out to the wing to reset the shape of the attack. Like you say, hard work for the wingers! But once they understand the see-saw idea of one in and one out, you should see some differences in your attacking play 👍🏻
sweeper is a nice idea until you remember that offsides come in. We played our first 9v9 today with a flat three for that reason and we got about 10 offside decisions. However we did leak goals anyway,. so yaknow
Depends on the situation, sometimes you have a ref in the middle on their own and don’t give a single offside as they don’t want to get anything wrong. Sweepers can help when teams play with high strikers or you lack pace in defence!
2-1-4-1?
Love that! Solid central areas and a fantastic attacking line up!
@@CatalanSoccer thanks a lot