Soccer Field Diagram: How To Decide Soccer Positions
Can you recall when you used a Soccer field diagram to make your team understand soccer formations? If your answer to this question is a “never” or “long time back” , this confirms that the team knows nothing about positions and formations.
The biggest mistake coaches make is to assume that giving verbal instructions is enough and that the kids would have understood everything. Since formations are an important topic, you must always chat about it with the players before the match.
These are tactical choices usually made in the form of numbers and which describe the soccer positions of the players in each area from the defensive line. The formations need not be stringent and the coach must continue to alternate the players in a game. Another thing worth mentioning is that these formations should be finalized keeping in view the individual strengths and weaknesses of the players.
Following are some of the common formations used in soccer:
4-4-2: This one is used most frequently. The series 4-4-2 is derived from the idea that it comprises of 4 defending players, 4 mid fielders, and two attacking players excluding a goalkeeper.
Here, the midfielders have the most important function by supporting the forward players in defense. In the event of an attack, they must move to the goal line and help the defenders.
4-5-1: This is a defensive formation and consists of five midfielders and one forward. The biggest benefit with this kind of formation is that because the midfielders are all focused in the center, the opposition cannot attack easily.
Also, because there is only 1 forward, it requires the midfielders to push forward which in turn makes the opposition craving to get the possession of the ball.
3-5-2: This contains three defenders, five midfielders, and two forwards. This formation makes attacking as well as defending easy as 2 wingmen take up the attacking role and the center midfielder does not allow counter attacks from the opposition.
3-4-3: This formation is full of aggression on the soccer field diagram and is undertaken when the team believes that the opponents are in a defensive mode. Benefitting from three defenders, four midfielders and three forwards, the approach is to attack using the forwards and use the defenders if the opposition tears the defensive line.
You cannot adopt a particular plan for the entire match. It must change according to the changes in the overall situation of the game. So a coach should think proactively and rotate the players as required. However, any formation can either be offensive or defensive.
Great soccer tactics for formations play an important role in deciding whether the team wins or loses. As the game progresses towards action, the formation should change accordingly.
Now get out there and teach your players formations using a soccer field diagram. In case you are interested in more such tips, our youth soccer coaching community is the perfect resource for it.
ABOUT THE AUTHOR:
Andre Botelho is a recognized authority in youth soccer coaching and has already helped thousands of youth coaches to dramatically improve their coaching skills. Learn how to explode your players’ skills and make training fun by downloading your free ebook at: Youth Soccer Practice
Tags: Soccer field diagram, soccer formation, soccer formations, soccer positions, soccer tactics
