SYSTEMS OF PLAY
What are the major systems in soccer today? What are some of the strengths and weaknesses of each? How would you train your players on the skills and tactics of a particular system? Beginning to answer these questions is the purpose of this session. Following is an overview of several of the major systems.
The 4-4-2 is the most widely used system in the game of soccer today. Arguably the most successful system, the 4-4-2 provides numbers where needed and many different options and variations on how to play. Below are descriptions of the position requirements of the 4-4-2.
KEEPER - The keeper must have good technique in handling crosses, stopping shots and distribution. Must be confident in closing down angles and have the ability to play with both feet. The keeper must have good communication skills and will stay in the goal area due to good numbers in back and middle.
DEFENDERS – The right fullback will be dominantly right-footed and the left fullback will be dominantly left-footed. The fullbacks must also be technically sound in heading, receiving and passing. Their passing range will be both short and long. Defenders must be good tacklers with the ability to win the ball, maintain composure, dribble or pass their way out of pressure, and quickly restart the attack. They must also have a physical presence on the field with good communication skills. Defenders need stamina for marking, providing support to the midfield, and timely overlapping runs out of the back.
CENTER BACKS - Usually bigger in size, with a strong physical presence, these players must be outstanding in the air – but also comfortable with both feet. Passing range will be both short and long and will usually involve diagonal balls. Center backs are often team leaders that can read the game quickly, organize the defense, and communicate and motivate all team members. Center Backs can play either flat or with sweeper/man marking role and they will look to carry the ball into space and link with the four-player midfield.
MIDFIELD - The four midfielders can play many different roles: either flat or three across middle with one in front of or behind the three. (See Variations on 4-4-2 below.) Another option is the diamond shaped midfield, which is used by Brazil to control the middle and gains width on attack from the outside backs.
OUTSIDE MIDS – Outside mids will keep their width to maintain shape. Their roles will be to support their defenders but also attack wide on both flanks. Right midfield players will be dominantly right footed and left midfield players will be dominantly left footed. Outside mids can switch flanks. This adds a different attacking dimension. Outside mids must have good ball skills, the ability to attack with pace, and again a very high fitness level. Passing range will be short and long – with the ability to swerve the ball to either post. Mentally they must be prepared to make lots of runs – often without getting the ball.
CENTER MIDS – Of the two center mids one may be more attack-oriented, while the other is more of a defensive minded player. They must both be technically sound in heading, receiving and passing. They must both be very fit and solid in their tackling. One or both must be creative in their play. The “defending” center mid may also be responsible for tracking an opposing forward. Both players must look for shooting chances on either foot.
FORWARDS - Can be mixed in size with the taller being a target player and the smaller being the creator. Must have good work ethics and the ability to regain possession from defenders. Forwards must have a good understanding of the game and be able to work together in tight spaces. Both forwards must take every opportunity to shoot with either foot and from any position in the attacking third. Visual or verbal communication skills must be good.
The 3-4-3 system requires a good understanding from all players. At times there will be intense pressure on the three defenders; however, when they are in possession of the ball they will have good numbers in front for distribution.
KEEPER - The keeper must have good technique in handling, shot stopping and distribution. Must be confident in closing down angles and must have the ability to play with either foot. With this system the goalkeeper must be very vocal and aggressive in sweeping behind the back line of defenders.
DEFENDERS - With only three defenders, each player must be good at carrying the ball out of the back. All three must be dominant in the air and also very physical. Range of passing will be short and long and again looking for diagonal balls. All three defenders must have a good understanding of the game so they can give support and balance whilst defending. Communication will be louder and more directive.
OUTSIDE MIDS - Outside midfielders play a much more important role in the 3-4-3 system. They must recover deeper into the defending areas and must also maintain width and depth in the middle third. Right midfield players will be dominantly right footed; left midfield will be dominantly left footed. These can be switched but must be given specific roles. Outside midfielders must have good ball skills, the ability to attack with pace and again a good fitness level. Passing range will be short to long and players must have the ability to swerve the ball. Mentally the outside mids must be prepared to make endless runs up and down the flank, often without receiving the ball, for long periods of time.
CENTER MIDS - Must be able to play with either foot, have good ball skills and communication. Center mids must be strong in the air and have good attacking and defending tendencies. They cannot be predictable in their play and must always be an option for the three-man defense. Range of passing will be short and long and also capable of taking shots from long range. The attacking center mid is often the main “playmaker” looking to make those final penetrating passes. The defending or “holding” mid is often known as a “ball winner” and must be a tough sturdy player with skills and a high work rate.
FORWARDS - Having three forwards provides good width and depth in the attacking third. All three must be technically sound in their heading, receiving and passing. All three must have a good change of pace and the ability to shoot with either foot. With four midfield players behind them, one or two forwards will look to create space for midfield runs. The three forwards must apply high pressure to regain possession in the attacking third – as many goals are scored from this situation. The three-front also enables you to more naturally “frame the goal” with runs to near post, far post, and the slot.
The 3-4-3 System
The 3-5-2 System
A variation of the “three-back” theme is the 3-5-2. This system was popularized by Germany and Argentina after Euro82. With most teams playing a 4-4-2 (only two forwards), it was thought that three really good defenders ought to be able to get the job done. (Most forwards actually think 2v3 are pretty good odds!) But the 3-5-2 enabled teams to commit more players to winning the midfield battle.
GENERAL: The 3-5-2 has many of the same attributes of the 3-4-3. The keeper needs to be fairly aggressive in playing off his/her line. The sweeper will need to be experienced, confident, and able to read the game quickly. Forwards need to be risk takers, confident (almost arrogant), physically very fast or quick, and excellent judges of where a ball may land. One or both of the forwards will need to be able to play with their back to goal. These player attributes are similar in any system. The main differences and variations of the 3-5-2 can be seen in the midfield.
MIDFIELD: The five midfielders in the 3-5-2 rarely play straight across. Teams will often play four across with two attacking centers and two wing mids – and an all-important “holding” center mid sweeping behind them. Other teams may drop one of the attacking center mids further back and deploy two “holding” mids in the middle. This provides more defensive strength and linkages through the middle. As a general weakness, this system asks for a tremendous amount of pace and stamina from the wingers. For 90 minutes they must play nearly goal-line-to-goal-line in order to defend their own corners and attack the opposing corners as well.
The 4-3-3 System
The 4-3-3 has a good balance but requires the correct types of players. This system can at times lose mid-field ball control – if faced with a solid four player mid-field. The four backs can play flat or with a sweeper/man-marker and they may look to play longer balls directly to any of the three forwards. Having three forwards enables you to apply high pressure to the opposing defense and also gives you the ability to more naturally “frame the goal” with runs to near post, far post, and the slot.
KEEPER - The keeper must have good technique in handling, shot stopping and distribution. Must be confident in closing down angles and have the ability to play with either foot. The keeper must have good communication skills.
DEFENDERS - Right fullback will be dominantly right footed. Left fullback will be dominantly left footed. The fullbacks must also be technically sound in heading, receiving and passing. Their passing range will be both short and long. The fullbacks must also be good tacklers of the ball with the ability to play out of the back. They must also have a physical presence on the field with good communication skills. Defenders need stamina for defensive marking purposes as well as providing constant support to the midfield and timely overlapping runs out of the back.
CENTER BACKS – Central defenders are typically larger in size and need to be physically dominating. They should be outstanding in the air, but must also be comfortable with the ball at their feet. Their passing range will be both short and long and usually diagonal in direction. Center backs must communicate but also motivate all team members. In alignment they can play either flat or with sweeper/man marking role. They will also have to push forward in support and sweep behind the three midfielders.
MIDFIELDERS - With only three across the middle these players must keep width and depth – while at times being outnumbered. They must be technically sound at heading, receiving and passing and must not be predictable in their play. They need good stamina and solid tackling. Look for good communication, change of pace and team leaders if playing this system.
FORWARDS - Having three forwards can give you a wealth of attacking width and depth – if the work rate is there. All three must be technically sound in their heading, receiving and passing and should be excellent judges of where a ball may land. All three forwards must have a good change of pace and the ability to shoot with either foot. Because of the extra forward, all must understand how to create space whilst playing this system. Against a flat-back four defense, all three forwards can’t stay up high and wait for long ball service. One forward may need to play lower in the midfield, in front of the defense, in order to play a target / ball winner / distributor role. Again, all three should work extra hard to regain possession in the final third – as this will often create many of the best goal scoring chances.
The 4-3-3 System
CONCLUSION:
Gaining exposure to several different systems of play is important to the overall development of youth soccer players. Higher-level teams will often change systems, even within a game, depending on conditions, competitors, game score, etc. Picking a particular system will depend on the players available to a coach and his or her coaching philosophy and style of play. But it would be easy to over-emphasize the importance of strict systems and formations – especially at the younger ages. The circular chart below hopefully provides some context and shows how “systems of play” might fit into the bigger picture. While talking about different systems is primarily a tactical discussion, it may also involve technique, fitness and psychology. In the end, the best system is the one that fits your team and allows for total soccer development in a fun learning environment.
