Football/Soccer Session (Moderate): 4-1-3-2 Formation

3rds

At VFC we break the field down in horizontal thirds too. Defensive, Middle, and Attacking. 

Rule one, we defend and attack as a team. All positions are involved. Keep this in mind  

• Defensive Third

This is where our formation becomes a 4-4-2. This is where we are patient but fierce. One person goes to the ball carrier while the rest of the team stays tight, flat, and patient. When the pressuring player is beaten, the next closest player steps to the ball. Our goal is to keep the other team out of our box. I do not want you drifting back and setting up in our box. Try to keep the opponent out of the middle, and out of our box, Any ball that is won is passed up the field and wide to the widest player. If there are no passing options, the ball is cleared up and wide out of bounds.  

Our tempo (speed of play) is fast one to two-touch passing. Get the ball up the field to the Middle third quickly.  

• Middle Third

This is where we use the width and depth of the formation. The width is how wide we are in the formation and our depth is the distance from the centerbacks to the forwards, In this part of the field our centerbacks will drop and form a "horseshoe" or "U" shape. This is for our trail passing to break a press from the opponent and to make collecting a direct over-the-top kick from the opponent on a quick transition. We start the build-up to attack here.  

• Attacking Third

This is where we need creativity and fearlessness. The back line steps up past the half line, and the holding mid steps down in the formation towards the box. The CAM is in the box with the forwards, and the wings are on the outer edges of the box creating width to open spaces for through balls. We want a lot of off-ball movement, passing, and shooting. Any shot taken must be followed up with players crashing. If the Left Wing takes a shot, both forwards and the CAM crash. The Right Wing will crash the back post. We all attack. The holding mid is there for a layoff pass at the top of the 18. If the attack needs to be reset, the ball can be trailed to the back line. If the ball is trailed to the back line, the outside backs are looking to cross the ball, diagonally into the box. The Centerbacks are looking to put the ball back into the attack by finding any attacking player that is unmarked.

Defensive formation.

Defensive Formation: 4-4-2

We are compact, flat, and patient. The forwards and midfielders are applying the pressure to allow the back line to get set. The center backs control the formation. Giving instructions, being vocal, and shifting the formation. An important aspect of the 4-4-2 is the forwards. My forwards will not stand and watch or wait for the easy pass at the top of our half. They are working hard to win the ball back. 

The midfielders are the first line of defense to the attack. The outside mids apply the pressure to any ball played into the outside channels on the attack. The rest of the team protects the center channel.  The wings and outside backs have to talk and communicate. If the outside back pressures the wide ball, the wide mid has to step into the outside back's space. If the wing steps out to pressure the wide play, the outside back stays in to protect the middle. Only pressuring the ball when the opponents wing dribbles into the box. 

Attack

ATTACK

On attack, we are creative, aggressive, and fearless. Do not be afraid to take chances. Total "free play" is expected, any position can become another as long as the player's space you move into goes to your space. Take shots and players must crash the keeper on every shot. If the Right Wing takes the shot from the right half of the 18-yard box, we want to see all three forwards and the left-wing crashing. The forwards take the middle of the penalty area while the left-wing crashes the post on a diagonal run. 

This will leave us vulnerable to a counterattack. I am willing to take that chance if you are playing aggressive, smart soccer. 

Notice the number of players in and around the box. The blue lines from the fullbacks show the potential runs they could make if the ball is trailed to them. I would like them to take the space given to them and then put a diagonal cross into the box. If the RB runs in, the left back stays wide, and vice versa. I would also like to see the formation shift a little when that happens. The center backs and the left back would shift toward the space the right back vacated when they made the run toward the box. 

The backs are your trail pass players, as well as putting balls into service, (through balls, crosses). The CDM is the trail option for the players in the box. If the CDM sees an opportunity to take a shot, I want them to take it. If they see an option to over or underlap a forward in the box I want them to take it. The wings serve as the widest player to try to stretch the defense in the box. If the CDM is passed the ball, the right or left wing can step toward the sideline to create width. Forcing a defender to step that way will open a space for an attack. The RB can run diagonally and then put a cross in for just one example. 

The target players are the forwards. I want creativity to get the ball to them. Chips, through balls, crosses, and flicks are the keys here. Find a way to get the ball through the defense and on the foot of a forward.  

Remember to shoot. You miss 100 percent of the shots you don't take.

Defending a goal kick

Defending a goal kick

We will use a 1-4-1-4 formation to defend a goal kick. We are looking to take all available space away from the keeper. Force her to make a kick she doesnt want. We also want win the ball immediately to keep it down in the opponents third. I want the entire team to be aggressive in winning the ball in the air and on the ground. We do not want to allow them to break out and start an attack.