Hi SoccerHelp, I coach a relatively strong recreational U12 girls team (we win most of our games). We play 8 v 8. I am trying to find the best formation for our team. We're currently using 2-3-2. I've read most of your Premium material on Formations and Tips for 8 v 8. Most of the material supports 2-1-2-2 or 2-1-3-1 on the theory that your first priority should be to control the center of the field. There is little discussion of the relative benefits of 2-3-2. We ended up with 2-3-2 more as a holdover from previous years rather than by design. But, coincidentally, it makes a bit of sense for our team for the following reasons: 60-70% of our play is in the attacking 1/2, so I am prepared to risk being a little weaker on the back end. Also, I want to play a lot of players at MF and Forward to hone attacking and ball handling skills. However, our players are not skilled enough to attack from the outside. Our Defenders don't see enough action and I need a way to get them into the play more. Maybe I should consider a 1-2-2-2 or 1-2-3-1 and give the FB's the latitude to get into the attack. Your thoughts would be welcome. Coach Mike -------------------------------------- Hi Mike, Thanks for being a Member and for writing. As a general statement, you should use the soccer formation that works best for your team and that gives them the best chance to be successful. You are clearly doing a good job of thinking thru the objectives for your team and you are realistic in your evaluation of strengths and weaknesses. I like your emphasis on fun and skill development. To answer your question about a 2-3-2, there are 3 reasons that a team might play 3 MF's: 8v8 Soccer Formations that Allow Fullbacks to Push Up
2-1-2-2/1-2-2-2 soccer formation that uses a Stopper who becomes a Sweeper
Advantages of a 2-3-2
A soccer formation that emphasizes teaching attacking skills
Advantages of "Depth" and controlling the Center
Why clear the ball straight ahead?
Should you defend the corners? How?As you know, SoccerHelp's emphasis is on Rec and young or lower level select teams, and most of the recommendations are for those teams. Your team sounds like it's better than most and you sound like a good, thoughtful coach... a "student of the game". Regarding controlling the "Center": You are correct. That concept is true in most field sports. Ideally, you would control the entire field, but since that usually isn't possible, if you have to choose, it is more important to control the Center than it is to control the "wings". As you say, most Rec teams don't have the skill to attack from the outside or to score on headers on balls crossed to the Goal Front -- the biggest threat is in the Center. However, the Formations you mention also have the advantage of additional "Depth" -- there are more "layers" of players who an opponent would have to penetrate in order to score, so they are better defensive formations because they have built-in "back ups" and it's easier to keep kids in position so there is "depth". As I understand, your objectives are:
- If you are playing high-level competition and need the width to defend or attack (it doesn't sound as if that is the case)
- If you have a great CMF who can dominate the Center of the Field.
- If you have weak players you need to "hide" until they improve, RMF and LMF are the best places. (Most Rec teams have some unskilled or timid players).
Based on your comments, here's an idea:
- "I want to play a lot of players at MF and Forward to hone attacking and ball handling skills. However, our players are not skilled enough to attack from the outside."
- "Our Defenders don't see enough action and I need a way to get them into the play more. Maybe I should consider a 1-2-2-2 or 1-2-3-1 and give the FB's the latitude to get into the attack."
I think this Formation/Style of Play might allow you to achieve your objectives. Please let me know what you do and how it works. Thanks again for being our customer. David at SoccerHelp --------------------------------- Hi SoccerHelp, Thanks for the advice and the quick turn around. I will try your suggestion. This should get our FB's in the game a little more. By the way, I think your website and material are great. A couple of other questions/clarifications with this formation:
- Since you don't need the "width in your attack", you are better off having a formation that is strong in the Center (between the 2 goals) and has more "Depth". I recommend you consider a 2-1-2-2, which on attack becomes a 1-2-2-2, as described in (2) below. That gives you 4 "layers" and will let you Push Up your FBs, as described in (2) below. You will have 4 players who can come into the attack and 6 if you Push Up your 2 FBs. On defense, you have 3 dedicated defenders and 2 MF's to help, so 5 can help on Defense, the same as in a 2-3-2. You avoid the problem you are having now of your RMF and LMF not coming into the attack.
- Do you have a player who can be a good "Sweeper"? If you do, you can play that player as a "Stopper/Sweeper" and have the player play as a "Stopper" when you are in your Defensive Third (it would look like a 2-1-2-2) BUT let your FBs Push Up and tell the Stopper to stay in the Defensive Third when the FBs Push Up, so when the FBs Push Up the Stopper stays behind and is in a "Sweeper" position and the formation looks like a 1-2-2-2. This Stopper/Sweeper would ideally be a great athlete -- this player doesn't have to have great skills (like a CMF or Forward needs), but MUST be brave and conscientious about staying in position to do her job. If you have a player who will work in this position, when the ball is in your Defensive Third, the Formation would look like a 2-1-2-2 and when your FBs Push Up to support your attack it would look like a 1-2-2-2.
Best regards, Mike ----------------------------------- Hi Mike, I'm glad you like SoccerHelp.
- "When defending in one of our corners, FB's should stay in front of the goal. Stopper/MF should be the first/second defenders. Correct? Is there any scenario where the FB would be the first defender in the corner?" I wouldn't let my FB go to the Corner because it's too risky. The danger is in front of the goal, not in the corner. If she gets pulled out, you risk giving up a goal. Even if you don't defend the corner, what is the risk? Can they score from there on a header off a crossed ball? I would have my Stopper be the First Defender and the Near MF be a soft Second. I would have the Far MF go to the Penalty Box Arc to stop balls crossed to the Center in that area. Your FBs will stay in position better if their "zonal" responsibilities are clear - I would tell them not to go more than 3 steps past the Near Post, and the Far FB should shift to the Center of the Goal, but stay out of the Goal Box.
- "You emphasize having your FBs clear the ball "Straight Ahead". This makes sense when the ball off to the side, but when the ball is cleared from the front of the goal, would you not want the ball cleared more to the sides rather than straight up the middle? I have always emphasized moving the ball to the side in the defensive zone." The trade off is keeping it simple so everyone knows what to expect. At U-12, your girls should be able to clear it decently. If you clear it straight ahead, the ST, MFs and Fs know what to expect and should have shifted with the ball so they are ALWAYS in position to win a cleared ball. If you kick it to the side, who will be there to win it? Like many coaching decisions, there is a trade off. At least if your MFs and Fs are in position to win the ball they have a chance and your MFs, Fs and FBs will be in position to stop the attack if your opponent wins the ball. Also, this teaches your MFs and Fs to shift with the ball and to be alert, in position and to fight to win the ball, which are important to good play.
David at SoccerHelp
- "When defending in one of our corners, FB's should stay in front of the goal. Stopper/MF should be the first/second defenders. Correct? Is there any scenario where the FB would be the first defender in the corner?" I wouldn't let my FB go to the Corner because it's too risky. The danger is in front of the goal, not in the corner. If she gets pulled out, you risk giving up a goal. Even if you don't defend the corner, what is the risk? Can they score from there on a header off a crossed ball? I would have my Stopper be the First Defender and the Near MF be a soft Second. I would have the Far MF go to the Penalty Box Arc to stop balls crossed to the Center in that area. Your FBs will stay in position better if their "zonal" responsibilities are clear - I would tell them not to go more than 3 steps past the Near Post, and the Far FB should shift to the Center of the Goal, but stay out of the Goal Box.
- "You emphasize having your FBs clear the ball "Straight Ahead". This makes sense when the ball off to the side, but when the ball is cleared from the front of the goal, would you not want the ball cleared more to the sides rather than straight up the middle? I have always emphasized moving the ball to the side in the defensive zone." The trade off is keeping it simple so everyone knows what to expect. At U-12, your girls should be able to clear it decently. If you clear it straight ahead, the ST, MFs and Fs know what to expect and should have shifted with the ball so they are ALWAYS in position to win a cleared ball. If you kick it to the side, who will be there to win it? Like many coaching decisions, there is a trade off. At least if your MFs and Fs are in position to win the ball they have a chance and your MFs, Fs and FBs will be in position to stop the attack if your opponent wins the ball. Also, this teaches your MFs and Fs to shift with the ball and to be alert, in position and to fight to win the ball, which are important to good play.