4-3-3
Strengths
The biggest advantage to this formation is that it has a strong attacking force. This is useful for all attacking moves and also very effective during counter attacks. This is because there are usually less defenders than normal when counter attacking, eg, from a corner and 1 or 2 defenders have gone forward to attack. This would give the strikers a good chance on goal if there were more strikers than defenders. Even during normal play, with 3 players forward, that would put the oppositions defence under a lot of continuous pressure. There are also more players to aim for when long passes are made and are more likely to be successful, eg, forward heading a long pass to another forward, who then has another forward as an option.
Weaknesses
The midfield can easily be outnumbered as there are only 3 midfielders. The midfield is where the ball is mainly lost and won, so being outnumbered in this area could have negative consequences on the teams possession percentage. Also, as the players are located centrally, the formation lacks width. This removes an attacking option down the wings and the opposition would be able to take advantage of this. The midfields on each side of the centre could choose to go down the wings, but this would leave only 1 in midfield and the opposition would be able to play down to the defence if caught out.
Summary
The 4-3-3 formation is very attacking as it has more forwards then most other formations. This is effective for all attacking plays and passes. It lacks width but if it was chosen to be used, huge space will become available for the opposition.
How my team uses this formation
When my team uses this formation, we try to play to a high tempo and use a central path towards goal, either by using short quick passing or long balls towards the forwards. With 3 strikers it gives more chance to create chances so we try to find gaps in the defence to get them in on goal.
My role in formation
When I play in this formation my main roles are to win the ball, and play long balls to the forwards from a central midfield position. With only 3 midfielders we are usually outnumbered so winning the ball as much as possible in this area is important. Also, if I have the ball I will be looking to play long balls to the forwards rather then looking to play width or passing around in midfield.
How it could be improved for our team/how I could improve
Again, support from the right/left backs would prove very effective and would also provide some sort of width to the formation. This wouldn’t be attacking width but would be useful to have if there were limited passing options.
My role could be improved by making the right choices when having possession of the ball. Being a midfielder in this formation, we are constantly under pressure so making the right passes/decisions is important as I wouldn’t want to give away possession.
Compared to professional team/player
Arsenal favour the 4-3-3 system as it gives them opportunity to play a passing game. This is because there are many triangles of players which allow them to pass effectively between each like how they would have practices in training. Alexandre Song is the first pick for Arsenal to play in the centre. He has established himself well playing in front of the back 4 in a defensive midfield position. Unlike my role in this formation, Song makes attacking runs to support the forwards and sometimes gets on the score sheet. I could improve my game by watching how and when he makes these runs and practice them myself. This way I will gain a better understanding of when the right time to make a run would be.
5-3-2
Strengths
This formation contains 3 central defenders, 2 wide defenders, 3 central midfielders and 2 centre forwards. This is a strong defensive formation as there are numbers in defence. This makes it difficult for the opposition to create chances and allows the midfield to push forward to support the forwards more, knowing that there is plenty of defence backing them up. This also allows the 2 wide defenders to become attacking full back and support the forwards by giving the team attacking width. If the full backs can keep up with the tempo of play then their team will have a strong defence and attack.
Weaknesses
As the full backs are providing support for both defence and attack, if they cannot keep up with the tempo of play, they may get fatigued which would affect their performance negatively. Also the team has to put a lot of faith into these two players to support them, and if they fail to, the formation won’t be as effective as it could be.
Summary
If used effectively, this formation can provide both a strong defence and attacking force. The team would have to reply mainly on the full backs to provide this extra support but would involve these players to be running up and down the entire length of the field. This could fatigue them so these players would have to have good stamina to perform this role in the team.
How my team uses this formation
My team uses this formation when playing a good opposition so we can keep a strong defence, and can also counter attack well if our full backs get up the field quickly to support the forwards. When we have the ball we try to keep it mainly in our half to let the full backs get forward before making an attacking move.
My role in formation
My role in this formation as the central midfielder is to pick out runs made from the full backs or play the ball to the forwards. The other 2 central midfielders may go up to support an attack while I would keep back to support the defence in case we lose the ball.
How it could be improved for our team/how I could improve
This formation could be more effective if 2 of our central midfielders pushed forward to join attacking moves, whist the other would drop back with a holding role.
My team relies on me to pick out runs made from the full backs and get the ball to the forwards for attacking moves. If I improved my awareness and long passing I would perform better at this role.
Compared to professional team/player
(Couldn’t find team that uses)
3-6-1
Strengths
With such a number of players in midfield, the opposition will find it hard to find a way through and will also have a lot less time and space on the ball in this area. It also provides width for attacking options with plenty of support if needed. If possession was had in midfield, the defence could push forward which would create a defensive area in the oppositions own half. This would put a lot of pressure on the other team. Finally, some midfielders could take a risk in pushing forward as there would be plenty of back up in midfield and defence.
Weaknesses
As there are only 3 defenders at the back, they won’t be able to cover the width. This leaves the defence vulnerable to attacks from the sides. This forces the wingers to play a slightly defensive game which would distract them from their primary roles. Although having many midfielders makes it harder for the opposition to find space and time, the midfielders may interfere with each other as a result of an over crowed midfield. As there is only 1 forward, this player would have to be supported immediately if the player had nowhere to go or pass to. It’s also harder for this player to create a chance with no support.
Summary
This formation would provide a lot of possession in midfield and could support the forward striker and defence if needed. But they won’t be able to support them as quick as they might be needed which could result in being caught out at the back and giving away chances. There is plenty of width and adaptable attacking options which would put a good amount of pressure on the opposition.
How my team uses this formation
When using this formation, we use short passing directly to goal and also try to keep majority of possession between the midfield. When our attacking midfielders are in possession of the ball, our wingers will join the attack from sides provide extra support to create chances for any player that’s forward.
My role in formation
My role in this formation is to provide attacking support, when we have possession, by trying to play in the forward or wingers with direct passes. When we are defending my role is to drop back just in front of the defenders and try to breakdown the oppositions attacking moves.
How it could be improved for our team/how I could improve
When we have possession in the oppositions half, our defenders could push forward to add to the pressure in their own half. Also if our attacking midfielders joined with the forward when we have possession, it would give defensive midfielders like me and defender the opportunity to play long balls.
In this formation I go up in attacking moves which gives the chance for long shots on goal. I could practice my long shooting and would be more effective and feel more confident in performing them in match situations.
Compared to professional team/player
(Couldn’t find team that uses)
4-2-4
Strengths
This formation is the most attacking one that I have talked about so far. With 4 forward players, there is a lot of opportunity to create chances by working together at the front. Counter attacks could result in having more forwards than defenders which is the perfect situation for attacking moves. This formation would work most effectively if long balls were used often. This would remove the need to play the ball through the midfield and get the ball straight to the forwards in numbers.
Weaknesses
If not in possession there will be huge pressure on the midfielders and defenders to win the ball back. Even when in possession the midfield and defence could be outnumbered so these players must be skilled enough to get the ball forward to the strikers. Also if there are no passing options available to the forwards, the midfielders would be under a lot of pressure and could easily lose the ball.
Summary
This 4-2-4 formation provides a high level of attacking support but puts a lot of pressure on the midfield. If used in a match there would be a lot of chances for both teams and would be played to a very high tempo.
How my team uses this formation
When we use this formation, we find that playing long balls are a lot more effective than playing the ball through the midfield. Any player not in an attacking position doesn’t go up to support attacking moves in case we lose the ball. We play to a very high tempo as we need to work hard to make sure we get the ball back and when we do, we usually have to play a long ball to the forward players.
My role in formation
My role in this formation is to stay defensive. When the opposition have the ball they are already past the forwards and will move towards my position. It’s my role to put pressure under the ball carriers and try to win the ball back. If I win or receive the ball I will make long passes to the forwards and they will support themselves in attacking moves.
How it could be improved for our team/how I could improve
I think that this formation could be improved by making 1 or 2 of the forwards drop back to support the midfielders to relieve a bit of pressure off them.
When playing in this formation I have to make a lot of tackles. If I worked on my tackling in training then I would give away less fouls and win the ball more during match play.
Compared to professional team/player
(Couldn’t find team that uses)
Bibliography
4-4-2 image –
4-3-3 image –
5-3-2 image –
3-6-1 image –
4-2-4 image –