OFFENSIVE SOCCER FORMATIONS

In this post we deal with Soccer Formations. I hope most of our "professional" coaches in the PSL can learn a thing or two as most of our teams play like a Sunday League team, with no one issuing constructive instructions or even advising them on formations or structural play.

I hope the info below will aide some of our rather technically inferior teams. Enjoy!

Strategies: Offense

Formations
Many factors can influence what formation you employ against an opponent. Perhaps the most utilized formation is the 4-4-2 formation, listed from back to front as Defenders, Midfielders and Forwards. You will need to consider several factors in determining which formation to use.

• Your opponents offensive strength.
• Your opponents defensive strength.
• Your teams offensive strength.
• Your teams defensive strength.
• The size of the field, or pitch in England. A large field may require you to play a direct style of soccer, utilizing long passes down the field, whereas a small field may require a more controlled, possession style of play.
• The score of the game. You may choose to protect a lead, or need to generate more offense.
• The weather conditions. A wet sloppy field may require that you play the ball more in the air than normal or add an extra defensemen in case a player slips and falls, leaving the ball-handler unmarked

4-4-2 Formation: 4 defenders, 4 midfielders,and 2 forwards. Very effective if you have two strong forwards that can outmaneuver and outrun the defense.

If you are playing a very strong offensive team, the 4 midfielders allow you more opportunities to tackle the ball and clear to your goal while the 4 defensemen give you greater defensive capabilities.

4-2-4 Formation: 4 defenders, 2 midfielders and 4 forwards. The 2 midfielders will assist on both offense and defense. These should be excellent all around players with good durability.

On offense, they will generally assume ‘wing’ positions, keeping the ball in their offensive zone should an attempt be made to clear the ball. On defense, they will drop down in a position to accept clearing passes and move the ball downfield to the forwards.

3-4-3 Formation: 3 defenders, 4 midfielders and 3 forwards. Utilized mostly when you are behind in a game and need to create more scoring opportunities.

In lieu of pulling a defensive player, you could also bring up a midfielder into a 3-3-4 formation.

I picked these ones as they (according to me) prove to be more offensive of the whole pack.
Happy Footballing!