by J Mock

Created on: September 24, 2009   Last Updated: September 13, 2010

Soccer (football) formations refer to the tactical decision of player positioning for the ten outfield players during a football game. A football team will consist of eleven players on each side, but the formation will only include the ten outfield players because the goalkeeper is discounted in planning, as he or she will take their place in front of goal.

The football pitch can be split into three key areas; the defensive third, midfield and attacking third. The most commonly used squad formation is the 4-4-2 configuration. Over the years, this formation has proved itself to be both balanced and productive and remains a favoured configuration within modern football.

Four-Four-Two;
Four defenders, four midfielders and two forward players. Two central defenders and two full-backs in defense, with two central midfielders and a left and right midfielder playing behind the two strikers.

This formation can be altered into what is referred to as a 4-3-1-2 or 'diamond' formation. Four defenders, with a defensive (holding) midfielder, two wide players in midfield and an attacking midfielder playing behind the two centre-forwards. With a defensive midfielder acting as a cover in front of the back four, the other centre-midfielder can support the strikers at every opportunity.

Four-Three-Three;
Four defenders, three midfielders and three forwards. Seen as a more attacking formation by playing three strikers in the attacking third.

Five-Three-Two;
Five players in the defensive third, three midfielders and a two strikers up front. This formation is reliant upon the two wide defenders, who act as wing-backs. The wide defensive players will look to provide support in an attacking movement, aside from their defensive duties.

Four-Five-One;
Four defenders, five midfielders and a lone centre-forward. Crowding the midfield with five players, who will look to support the single striker, the key to this somewhat defensive formation is controlling possession of the ball.

The deployment of team players across these sectors will be determined by the manager/coach of the team, in accordance with the nature of the game - league, domestic cup, European competition or International game, home or away game - and the opponents.

The manager/coach will ascertain player availability, team strengths and weaknesses - of the home and away team - and the style of play he, or she, would expect from their players, be it defensive or attacking football. Collating these factors will influence the team formation at the start of the game, although the formation may change during the game.

A team may start the game with an attacking formation - 4-3-3 - but change to a more defensive stance - 5-3-2 or 5-4-1 -  should they choose to try and defend a leading score and secure the win. A team that is trailing in the latter stages of a game may adopt a more clinical attacking formation, in an attempt to earn a draw or to win the game. Player injuries, the forced reduction in team numbers due to a player being sent-off and the current scoreline can force the manager into a formation reshuffle, so the choice of formation is always subject to change.

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