Is there such a thing as the perfect soccer formation? What is a soccer system or formation? Do I need one? Do I need more than one? What is the right one for my team? Find out the answers to these and other questions on football/soccer formations here.

1. The Seven Questions About
Junior Soccer Formations
That You Were Afraid To
Ask...

2. 1. What Is A Soccer Formation Or System?
A formation is the way a team positions its players in
defense, midfield and attack.
Formations are normally referred to in numbers, such as
4-4-2 or 4-5-1, though occasionally they are given names
like 'diamond' and 'Christmas tree' as they describe the
shape of the formation.
With formations the goalkeeper isn't included so the
numbers always add up to ten (the number of outfield
players on the pitch).

3. 2. What Do The Numbers Represent In A Soccer
System?
The numbers always start with the defense and move
through midfield and then on to attack. With 4-5-1, for
example, there are four defenders, five in midfield and
just one striker.

4. 3. Are Formations Important?
As with most things, someone who has a plan tends to
do better than those without one. Soccer formations
give the team structure, and therefore a plan of how
they are going to play.

5. 4. Should I Coach Systems To Junior Soccer
Players?
Even with small kids it is useful to get them to
understand their role in the team otherwise all the
players tend to just run after the ball.
In saying that, if you coach young children remember
not to get too hung up on systems as they will gradually
understand, by regular drills, that the ball will come to
them if they are in their position.
…cont.

6. 4. Should I Coach Systems To Junior Soccer
Players?
Certainly the more competitive the matches your junior
soccer team plays the more you, and your players, will
need to understand formations.

7. 5. How do I know what formation is right for my
team?
Do not decide on a system then try to fit your players
into that formation.
Look at your players' strengths and weaknesses and then
see how they would fit in the various systems.
Look for a balance in your team so that one side (left or
right) or area (defense, midfield or attack) of the team
isn't too weak.

8. 6. Do I need to have more than one formation?
To start with you may wish to stick with just one system
but you should look at other systems as you may want
to change your formation, for example, due to:
• Changes in personnel in your team
• The system not work well with a particular
opponent
• Poor performances during matches.

9. 7. Should I change formations during a game?
If your starting formation isn't working then change it
but because soccer is a fluid game you may just wish to
tweak the system to start.
If you are going to change system during a game you
must first work out what is going wrong and how a
change in the system will fix it.
… cont.

10. 7. Should I change formations during a game?
A word of caution; do not change formation just for
the sake of it, and do not make too many changes
during a game as this will lead to confusion and
mistakes.
There are many famous coaches around the world,
such as Fabio Capello, who are a strong believer in
one system and rarely change formation so don't
worry if you've only got the one club in your bag.

11. Just remember, there is no such thing as the perfect
soccer formation.
The best formation for your team is the one that
accentuates your players' strengths and hides their
weaknesses.

12. There will be several strategic formations that will work
for your soccer team and your job is to choose the best
one or ones:
Make the correct choices and it will give your team a
competitive advantage.

13. For more information on formations
plus plenty of hints, tips, drills and techniques to
improve your team's performance and increase your
knowledge as a coach, go to
SoccerTrainingForKids.com
Why not take the opportunity to sign up for the five
day mini course specifically designed for the brand new
soccer coach.