Team Formation 4-4-2 - Overview

DESCRIPTION

Basic structure and approach:

• 2 forwards: press in opposition half, holding up ball and playing in midfield, attacking defense, getting in behind defense
• 2 centre mids: press and track opposition to cover own defense, winning ball and looking to create openings
• 2 wingers: tucking in to give cover for centre mids, protecting wingbacks and creating width on attack
• 2 centre backs: organising line, marking and tackling, playing ball out from the back, supporting centre mid in possession
• 2 wingbacks: tucking in to support CBs, supporting winger in possession, providing width on attack
• Keeper: sweeper behind defense, organiser and shot stopper

COACHING POINTS

Key areas to define style of play:

• Team work - support for each other, passing and covering
• Compactness - front to back and side to side: lines squeeze to reduce playing space for opposition, players tuck in to stop play through middle. Shuffling across pitch to compress around ball
• Possession - play to keep ball, pass and move to create space, quality of passing key, 360 degree options, playing out from back where possible, always multiple passing options
• Tracking - all players must press and track runnings
• Quick to press to deny time to play - player nearest ball must put pressure on, jockey (don't commit) and track movement
• Cover - players move into covering roles to support player who goes to challenge
• Exploiting space - switch play, recycling the ball, winger/wingbacks pull out wide in possession
• Hunting in packs - don't work individually, need to work to match/overload in all situations
• Quick transitions - read game at all times, recover shape when ball lost, counter when possession gained
• 1 of back line to push up into midfield to move to 2-5-3 for periods of play
• Calm on ball
• COMMUNICATION

Other specific tactics:

• Throws - wingbacks to take to encourage forward pressure
• Free kicks - defense to take to free up players t attack space
• Specific players on corner taking - aim for 6yd line (drilled to front, pinged to centre or lofted to back post)
• Attacking corners, stay out of box and make run to avoid being marked: centre forwards attack back post, midfield attack middle, defenders attack front post
• Always +1 defender at back