| Formation in association football (soccer) | | | | created to spur improvisation in players. |
| describes how the players in a team are | | | | |
| positioned on the pitch. | | | | Guttman himself moved to Brazil later in the |
| | | | 1950s to help develop these tactical ideas |
| Different formations can be used depending on | | | | using the experience of Hungarian coaches. |
| whether a team wishes to play more attacking | | | | |
| or defensive football. | | | | The 4-2-4 formation made use of the |
| | | | increasing players skills and fitness, aiming |
| Formations are described as the number of | | | | to effectively use 6 defenders and 6 |
| players in each area from the defensive line | | | | forwards, with the midfielders performing |
| (not including the goalkeeper). For example | | | | both tasks. The 4th defender increased the |
| 4-4-2 describes the formation as having: 4 | | | | number of defensive players but mostly |
| defenders, 4 midfielders and 2 forwards. | | | | allowed them to be closer together, thus |
| | | | enabling effective cooperation among them, |
| Conventionally the formation can be described | | | | the point being that a stronger defence would |
| with 3 numbers, although 4-numbered (e.g. | | | | allow an even stronger attack. |
| 4-4-1-1) and 5-numbered formations (e.g. | | | | |
| 4-1-2-1-2) can be used. | | | | The relatively empty midfield relied on |
| | | | defenders that should now be able not only to |
| The numbering system was not present until | | | | steal the ball, but also hold it, pass it or |
| the 4-2-4 system was developed in the 1950s. | | | | even run with it and start an attack. So this |
| | | | formation required that all players, |
| Formations can be altered during a game, but | | | | including defenders, are somehow skillful and |
| requires adaptations of the players to fit in | | | | with initiative, making it a perfect fit for |
| to the new system. This can be due to a team | | | | the Brazilian players mind. The 4-2-4 needed |
| wishing to defend or attack more, or even due | | | | a high level of tactical awareness as having |
| to the loss of a player. Some formations also | | | | only 2 midfielders could lead to defensive |
| lend themselves to dynamically changing as | | | | problems. The system was also fluid enough to |
| players move up and down the field, e.g., the | | | | allow the formation to change throughout |
| Brazilian 4-2-4 could effectively become a | | | | play. It has been said that one of the aims |
| 2-4-4 during a match. In this way formations | | | | of the formation was to score more goals than |
| can be deceptive in analysing a particular | | | | were conceded. |
| team's style of play, i.e. one team could | | | | |
| play 4-4-2 and work defensively, looking to | | | | 4-2-4 was first used with success at club |
| play high, long balls, whereas their | | | | level in Brazil by Sao Paulo and Santos, and |
| opposition playing the same formation could | | | | was used by Brazil in their wins at 1958 |
| play much more attractive, attacking | | | | World Cup and 1970 World Cup, both featuring |
| football. | | | | Pelé, and Zagallo who played in the first |
| | | | and coached the second. The formation was |
| Formations are used in both professional and | | | | quickly adopted throughout the world after |
| amateur football matches. However in amateur | | | | the Brazilian success. |
| matches these tactics are sometimes adhered | | | | |
| to less strictly such is the lesser severity | | | | Common modern formations The following |
| of the occasion. | | | | formations are used in modern football. The |
| | | | formations are flexible allowing tailoring to |
| Skill and discipline on behalf of the players | | | | the needs of a team, as well as to the |
| is also needed to effectively carry out a | | | | players available. Variations of any given |
| given formation in professional football. | | | | formation include changes in positioning of |
| Formations need to be chosen with the players | | | | players, as well as replacement of a |
| available in mind, and some of the formations | | | | traditional defender by a sweeper. |
| below were created to address deficits in | | | | |
| different types of players. | | | | 4-3-3 The 4-3-3 was a development of the |
| | | | 4-2-4, and was played globally by the |
| In the football matches of the 19th century | | | | Brazilian national team in the 1962 World |
| defensive football was not played, the | | | | Cup. The extra player in midfield allowed a |
| line-ups reflected the all-attacking nature | | | | stronger defence, and the midfield could be |
| of these games. | | | | staggered for different effects. The three |
| | | | midfielders normally play closely together to |
| At the time of the first international game, | | | | protect the defence, and move laterally |
| Scotland - England in 1872-11-30, there was | | | | across the field as a coordinated unit. The |
| really no team formation. All players chased | | | | three forwards split across the field to |
| the ball all over the pitch in what can be | | | | spread the attack, and are expected to |
| considered a 0-0-10 formation. But even then | | | | "tackle back". Few teams often start a game |
| there were some initial signs of team | | | | in this formation, but may change to it late |
| organisation as Scotland surprised England by | | | | in a game if a goal is needed. |
| actually passing the ball among its players | | | | |
| instead of always trying to run forward with | | | | A staggered 4-3-3 involving a defensive |
| it. Surprisingly, this game ended in a 0-0 | | | | midfielder (usually numbered 4, 5 or 6) and |
| draw. | | | | two attacking midfielders (numbered 8 and 10) |
| | | | was commonplace in Italy, Argentina and |
| The fast growing number of teams led to fast | | | | Uruguay during the 1960s and 1970s. The |
| tactical evolution. Progressively some | | | | Italian variety of 4-3-3 was simply a |
| players were positioned either as defenders | | | | modification of WM, by converting one of the |
| or midfielders. In 1872, The Wanderers F.C. | | | | two wing-halves to a libero (sweeper), |
| (England) used a 1-1-8 formation.(Source: | | | | whereas the Argentine and Uruguayan |
| "The Early FA Cup Finals" by Keith Warsop | | | | formations were derived from 2-3-5 and |
| (SoccerData 2004). The 2-2-6 formation was | | | | retained the notional attacking centre-half. |
| used by most teams throughout the 1870's, | | | | |
| although the Royal Engineers instigated a | | | | 4-4-2 This adaptable formation is the most |
| 1-2-7 for the 1875 FA Cup Final (same | | | | common in football today, so well known that |
| source). Notts Forest used a same system in | | | | it has even inspired a magazine title, |
| the early 1880's (source: Nottingham Evening | | | | FourFourTwo. The midfielders are required to |
| Post 17/10/1881). | | | | work hard to support both the defence and the |
| | | | attack: one of the central midfielders is |
| 2-3-5 (The Pyramid) It was around 1880 that | | | | expected to go upfield as often as possible |
| two full backs, three half backs, and five | | | | to support the forward pair, while the other |
| forwards (the 2-3-5) began to make its | | | | will play a "holding role", shielding the |
| appearance; this was originally known as the | | | | defence; the two wide midfield players must |
| Pyramid with the numerical formation being | | | | move up the flanks to the goal line in |
| referenced retrospectively. There is some | | | | attacks and yet also protect the fullback |
| debate as to which team originated this | | | | wide defenders. |
| system, but Sheffield Wednesday definitely | | | | |
| deployed a 2-3-5 in their FA Cup match with | | | | 4-4-2 tight diamond This winger-less system |
| Blackburn Rovers in December 1880. | | | | is development of the 4-4-2 diamond, however |
| | | | it lacks any true wide players. Like its |
| (Source: Sheffield Daily Telegraph 20/12/ | | | | forebearer, it uses a fantatista (for example |
| 1880). Blackburn Olympic used the third half | | | | Kaká or Francesco Totti). A defensive |
| back in winning the FA Cup in 1883, and the | | | | midfielder is employed to shield the back |
| new system gradually gained popularity. By | | | | four, traditionally this would involve a |
| the 1890s it was the standard formation in | | | | tough-tackler, such as Claude Makelele. |
| Britain and had spread all over the world. | | | | However, recently teams have elected to |
| With some variations it was used by most top | | | | employ a withdrawn playmaker, such as Andrea |
| level teams up to the 1940s. | | | | Pirlo, who can dictate the tempo of the game |
| | | | from this position. The two central |
| For the first time a balance between | | | | midfielders are normally combatitive in |
| attacking and defending was reached. When | | | | nature - they are the designated ball |
| defending, the two defenders (fullbacks) | | | | winners, although at least one of the two is |
| would watch out for the opponents' wingers | | | | meant to provide something offensively. |
| (the first and fifth men in the attacking | | | | |
| line); while the midfielders (halfbacks) | | | | 5-3-2 This formation has three central |
| would watch for the other three forwards. | | | | defenders (possibly with one acting as a |
| | | | sweeper.) This system is heavily reliant on |
| The centre halfback had a key role; he should | | | | the wing-backs providing width for the team. |
| both help organising the teams attack and | | | | The two wide full-backs act as wing-backs. It |
| mark the opponent's centre forward, | | | | is their job to work their flank along the |
| supposedly one of their most dangerous | | | | full length of the pitch, supporting both the |
| players. | | | | defence and the attack. |
| | | | |
| The Danubian school The Danubian School of | | | | 3-4-3 Using a 3-4-3 the midfielders expected |
| football is a modification of the 2-3-5 | | | | to split their time between attacking and |
| formation as played by the Austrians, Czechs | | | | defending. Having only three dedicated |
| and Hungarians in the 1920s, and taken to its | | | | defenders means that if the opposing team |
| peak by the Austrians in the 1930s. It relied | | | | breaks through the midfield, they will have a |
| on short-passing and individual skills, and | | | | greater chance to score than with a more |
| was a derivation of carpet football which | | | | conventional defensive configuration, such as |
| emphasised keeping the ball on the ground. | | | | 4-5-1 or 4-4-2. |
| | | | |
| Metodo The Metodo was devised by Vittorio | | | | However, the three forwards allow for a |
| Pozzo, coach of the Italian national team in | | | | greater concentration on offence. This |
| the 1930s [1]. It was a derivation of the | | | | formation is used by more offensive-minded |
| Danubian School. The system was based on the | | | | teams. |
| 2-3-5 formation, Pozzo realised that his | | | | |
| halfbacks would need some more support in | | | | 3-5-2 This formation is similar to 5-3-2 |
| order to be superior to the opponents' | | | | except that the two wingers are oriented more |
| midfield, so he pulled 2 of the forwards to | | | | towards the attack. Because of this, the |
| just in-front of midfield, creating a 2-3-2-3 | | | | central midfielder tends to remain further |
| formation. | | | | back in order to help prevent |
| | | | counter-attacks. It differs from the |
| This created a stronger defence than previous | | | | classical 3-5-2 of the WW by having a |
| systems, as well as allowing effective | | | | non-staggered midfield. |
| counterattacks. The Italian national team won | | | | |
| back-to-back World Cups in 1934 and 1938 | | | | 4-5-1 4-5-1 could be seen as a defensive |
| using this system. | | | | formation, however if the two midfield |
| | | | wingers play a more attacking role it can be |
| The WM The WM system was created in the | | | | likened to 4-3-3. The formation can be used |
| mid-1920s by Herbert Chapman of Arsenal to | | | | to grind out 0-0 draws or preserve a lead, as |
| counter a change in the offside law in 1925. | | | | the packing of the centre midfield makes it |
| The change had reduced the number of | | | | difficult for the opposition to build-up |
| opposition players that an attacker needed | | | | play. Because of the 'closeness' of the |
| between himself and the goal-line from three | | | | midfield, the opposing team's forwards will |
| to two. This led to the introduction of a | | | | often be starved of possession. However, due |
| centre-back to stop the opposing | | | | to the lone striker, the centre of the |
| centre-forward, and tried to balance | | | | midfield does have the responsibility of |
| defensive and offensive playing. | | | | pushing forward as well. The defensive |
| | | | midfielder will often control the pace of the |
| The formation became so successful that by | | | | game. A modification of this formation is |
| the late-1930s most English clubs had adopted | | | | also used by Jose Mourinho's Chelsea F.C. |
| the WM. Retrospectively the WM has either | | | | side. This modified version is the 4-1-4-1 |
| been described as a 3-2-5 or as a 3-4-3. | | | | where only one striker is used and the |
| | | | wingers are given the responsibility of |
| The WW The WW was a development of the WM | | | | moving the ball forward and attacking. A |
| created by the Hungarian coach Marton Bukovi | | | | holding midfielder is also positioned in |
| who turned the 3-2-5 WM "upside down" [2]. | | | | front of the back four. This provides freedom |
| The lack of an effective centre-forward in | | | | for the rest of the team to move forward and |
| his team necessitated moving this player back | | | | attack as the defence will be "protected" by |
| to midfield to create a playmaker, with a | | | | the holding midfielder. |
| midfielder instructed to focus on defence. | | | | |
| This created a 3-5-2 (also described as a | | | | 4-2-3-1 This defensive formation is quite |
| 3-3-4), and was described by some as an early | | | | flexible, as both the side midfielders and |
| version of the 4-2-4. This formation was | | | | the fullbacks may join the attack, usually on |
| successfully used by fellow countryman | | | | the counter. Tactically, this formation is |
| Gusztáv Sebes in the Hungarian national | | | | similar to the 4-5-1. It is used maintain the |
| team of the early 1950s. | | | | possession of ball by controlling the |
| | | | midfield area of the field. The lone striker |
| 3-3-4 The 3-3-4 formation was similar to the | | | | tends to be very tall and strong to hold the |
| WW with the notable exception of having an | | | | ball up as his midfielders and fullbacks join |
| inside-forward (as opposed to centre-forward) | | | | him in attack. |
| deployed as a midfield schemer alongside the | | | | |
| two wing-halves. | | | | This system is highly popular in Spain as a |
| | | | variation of 4-4-2, with one of the |
| This formation would be commonplace during | | | | centre-forwards playing a withdrawn role |
| the 50s and early 60s. One of the best | | | | (known as second striker) to exploit the hole |
| exponents of the system was the Tottenham | | | | in front of the opposition defence (e.g. |
| Hotspur double-winning side of 1961, which | | | | Raúl González), the wingers given far |
| deployed a midfield of Danny Blanchflower, | | | | greater freedom to attack (so much so that |
| John White and Dave Mackay. | | | | they are often pictured alongside the |
| | | | withdrawn forward), and the central |
| The 4-2-4 Formation The 4-2-4 formation | | | | midfielders given much more defensive |
| attempts to combine strong offence with | | | | responsibility. |
| strong defence, and was conceived as a | | | | |
| reaction to WM's stiffness. It could also be | | | | 5-4-1 This is a particularly defensive |
| considered a further development of the WW. | | | | formation, with an isolated forward and a |
| The 4-2-4 was the first formation to be | | | | packed defence. Again however, a couple of |
| described using numbers. | | | | attacking fullbacks can make this formation |
| | | | resemble something like a 3-4-3. It has been |
| While the initial developments leading to the | | | | successfully implemented with the |
| 4-2-4 were devised by Márton Bukovi, the | | | | "side-midfielders" pushing forward and the |
| credit for creating the 4-2-4 lies with two | | | | two "wing-backs" advancing to a traditional |
| different people: Flávio Costa, the | | | | outside midfield role. The key to this |
| Brazilian national coach in the early 1950s, | | | | formation is the catenaccio style |
| as well as another Hungarian Béla Guttman. | | | | counter-attacking transition. |
| These tactics seemed to be developed | | | | |
| independently, with the Brazilians discussing | | | | Incomplete formations When a player is |
| these ideas while the Hungarians seemed to be | | | | sent-off (after being shown a red card), the |
| putting them into motion [3] [4] [5]. | | | | teams generally fall back to defensive |
| | | | formations such as 4-4-1 or 5-3-1. Only when |
| However the fully developed 4-2-4 was only | | | | the draw is not an option (e.g. in a playoff |
| 'perfected' in Brazil in the late 1950s. | | | | game) will a team with ten players play in a |
| | | | risky attacking formation such as 4-3-2 or |
| Costa published his ideas, the "diagonal | | | | even 4-2-3. |
| system", in the Brazilian newspaper O | | | | |
| Cruzeiro, using schematics as the ones used | | | | When more than one player is missing from the |
| here and, for the first time ever, the | | | | team the common formations are generally |
| formation description by numbers as used in | | | | disbanded in favour of either maximum |
| this article. The "diagonal system" was | | | | concentration on defence, or maximum |
| another precursor of the 4-2-4 and was | | | | concentration on offence. |