Soccer Formations and Soccer Positions

Other SoccerHelp Premium References: See "How To Teach Soccer Formations", "How To Teach Soccer Positions", "Formations and Tips For 7v7", "Attacking Plan", "Formations", "Should You Push Up When You Attack?" and "Quick Team Improvement Program" no. 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7 and 9.

Click here for an excellent letter about the 2-1-2-2 Formation, the importance of a Stopper and Assigning Positions.

Topics Discussed:

How a U-9 team used SoccerHelp Premium to go from 0-4-1 (no wins) to 4-0-1 (4 wins), outscoring opponents 17-2. The advantages of teaching "Passing To Space". Movement Off The Ball, Coaching Rule No. 3, and which Premium Practice Games work best. Formations for 9 v 9.

How to keep players from bunching up. (Also, see Letter No. 8 at "How To Teach Soccer Formations")

Formation ideas for Girls U-12 team playing 11 v 11. 3-2-1-2-2 formation. How to neutralize a great scorer and where Forwards should play when your goal is under attack.

Which formation is best for a U-12 team, playing 11 v 11, with 2 good dribblers and wanting to score more goals? How to teach a 3-2-3-2, Practice Games that will increase scoring and other scoring tips.

How a U-10 Coach, playing 8 v 8, can score more goals. How to teach a 2-1-2-2, and tips for scoring more goals. Also, which player (i.e., a FB or a MF) should pressure the ball when it is in the defensive corner (i.e., the corner in your "Defensive Third").

8 v 8 formations for a U-10 Tournament team. SoccerHelp recommended a 3-3-1. Assigning positions and tips for scoring more goals.

How to score more goals in 11 v 11. How to teach a 3-2-1-2-2. Whether to use a Sweeper or a Flat Back 3?

Premium Practice Games that will improve dribbling and tackling skills

Excerpts From Letters to SoccerHelp Regarding Formations and Positions. The Premium Version Contains Our Responses and Totals 14 Pages:

Subject: How a U-9 team used SoccerHelp Premium to go from 0-4-1 to 4-0-1, outscoring opponents 17-2. The advantages of teaching "Passing To Space". Movement Off The Ball, Coaching Rule No. 3, and which Premium Practice Games work best.

Hi Soccerhelp,

Wow! Who would have believed this stuff would work this well. I am coaching under 9 boys. I was using a teaching method I learned at an F clinic I took to be a coach. I learned nothing about teaching formations or positions, let alone any actual plays. They had the kids doing figure 8's around cones. The kids hated it and it was hard to teach. The kids weren't learning.

We had gone 5 games without a win (0-4-1) when I started using SoccerHelp Premium in mid-season. The next game we tied. Since then we have won 4 straight games, outscoring the opponents 17-2. The kids can't get enough of it. Neither can I. It is a lot more fun playing and coaching when the team wins. The kids do not want to come off the field when I sub them.

Next game we are trying "Short Corners" for the first time. This should be fun.

Thanks, Don
CA

(Following is a continuation of the correspondence with Don. We had asked him to tell us what helped him the most).

Dear SoccerHelp,

This is what I have used that has been very helpful. The first thing I taught them was Coaching Rule No. 3. Fight for the ball. We won our last game 7-1 to a team we had lost to 2-0 before. One of the opposing parents commented on how much more aggressive my kids were. The other coach said to me during the game that his team was having a total breakdown. I disagree. My kids were stealing the ball.

We changed from a 3-2-3 formation to a 3-3-2 (3 fullbacks, 3 midfielders and 2 forwards), with my best dribblers at Forward, and my best stopper at center midfielder. I am playing the kids in the position I feel will help most. It was very helpful to learn how to assign positions (from "Assigning Soccer Positions").

We play "Dribble Across A Square Game" to start each practice. The kids love it. Then we move on to "Dribble Around Cone and Back Relay Race", followed by the "Dribble, Turn and Shoot Race", first team to 10 goals wins. The kids love the competition.

We have played "Pass to Space, Run With Ball and Shoot" game. This teaches two important things. Pass to space, not players feet, and run with the ball, don't stop it. I make this a relay race also, they love it.

Even though it may be a bit advanced, I have played "3 Man Direct, Wing Attacking Game". This teaches the players to go to the goal, and to center the ball. Great.

The "Corner Kick Simulation" game is very good. I had them play until the attackers scored, or the defenders cleared the ball to the side.

I have shied away from "2 Team Keep Away" because last year I tried a version of it and all I had was a big pile of kids kicking at the ball. I will try again.

I plan to try "Kick Balls Onto Other Field" and "Pass It Through Game".

I have one question. All the kids want to play Forward now, since we are scoring so much, and the fullbacks don't get very much action. I am rotating each kid in to forward. Any thing I can tell the kids besides "It is a team effort"? They all want the glory.

It is great to have confidence in my team.

Thank you,

Don
CA

Subject: How to keep players from bunching up.

Dear SoccerHelp,

Your pearls of wisdom have been invaluable. Our team has now scored 8 goals in the last two games while our opponents have yet to score. We have been doing the Premium practice games and, you know, they really work. Our defense which was questionable a few weeks ago is now rock solid. We will continue to stick with the discipline. We still bunch up too much on the offense. I keep telling them to stay a pass away but it is just too exciting to chase the ball. Do you have any other drills to specifically address the crowding issues.

Also we are using your idea for gold stars that the boys can iron on their uniforms for hustle , bravery etc...They love it. We have been awarding them after each game to one or two of the boys. Another great idea.

Again thanks for all your help.

Will, U-9 boys rec coach

Subject: Which formation is best for a U-12 team, playing 11 v 11, with 2 good dribblers and wanting to score more goals? How to teach a 3-2-3-2, Practice Games that will increase scoring and other scoring tips.

Dear SoccerHelp,

I coach a 12 and under boys team. We play on a large field with 11. I have two good dribblers for my outside forwards. The right forward dribbles too much and centers the ball way too late. The left forward is my best player and is a left-footer but often does not get enough touches in a game. He also is late in centering the ball. We do not pass well enough in getting the ball to the middle of the field for scoring opportunities. From what I read at your site you suggest having the best and fastest good dribblers at the outside forwards. But, how do they get shots on goal? have one very strong footed player for center fullback or sweeper and one tall boy who can run at center halfback. I also have two slow players and two players who are not very good and need to play outside midfielder. Should I try a 4 forward, three halfback, three fullback lineup or go to a 3 forward, three halfback, a sweeper and 4 fullbacks We do have a great goalkeeper. Any other recommendations for formations?

Melvin

Subject: How a U-10 Coach, playing 8 v 8, can score more goals. How to teach a 2-1-2-2, and tips for scoring more goals. Also, which player (i.e., a FB or a MF) should pressure the ball when it is in the defensive corner (i.e., the corner in your "Defensive Third").

Hello Soccer Help,

I am coaching an U-10 team and although we are doing well against better teams we are having difficulty scoring. My formation is a 1-1-2-3. My defense consists of a sweeper and a stopper. Suggestions?

Thanks- Just signed up and has been of great value.

Jim

Subject: 8 v 8 formations for a U-10 Tournament team. SoccerHelp recommended a 3-3-1. Assigning positions and tips for scoring more goals.

Dear SoccerHelp,

I have been a subscriber to the premium service for approx one month. I am coaching a Boys U10 tournament team. All of the boys have played for several years, are good athletes and top players on their rec. league teams. We start our tournament schedule this weekend. The tournaments we play will use 8v8. I have been told to use a 3-3-1 formation with midfielders pushing up on offense and also getting back to help on defense. We have 14 players so many available subs at MF. Thoughts on benefit of 3-3-1 versus 2-3-2 or 2-1-2-2. We will be playing on smaller field approx. 70yards X 40 yards. I want to focus on defense and clearing from the defensive third but worry that 3-3-1 might not allow for many goal scoring opportunities. I enjoy the site and have used your drills/games extensively. Thoughts?? Thanks Randy

Subject: Premium Practice Games that will improve dribbling and tackling skills.

Hi SoccerHelp,

Thanks for your recent help with the 8V8 formation information. My new Boys U-10 team won one game and lost three in a very competitive tournament. This was the first tournament for all of these boys and I was pleased with their effort. I would appreciate suggestions on practice games that will help the boys with their tackling skills. Many times they would get beat by the offensive player and I want the boys to work on this.

Thanks-Randy

Subscriptions to SoccerHelp Premium support the continued improvement of SoccerHelp. Premium is "The Next Step" and contains over 300 pages of additional material that is not on SoccerHelp Basic.

CLICK HERE FOR PREMIUM PRICING & SUBSCRIPTION OPTIONS

CLICK HERE TO READ COACHES COMMENTS ABOUT RESULTS ACHIEVED USING SOCCERHELP PREMIUM