Soccer Systems of Play, Team Formation and Positional Set up, 4-4-2

4-4-2are involved in shutting down any play and play
Defense;4, defenders are usually arranged asmaking. These players really read the game well.
outside left, inside left, inside right and outside right.They need to, or they would be doing all the
The most recent idea is to have them lined up in arunning.Midfield4, mid-fielders are usually arranged as
banana shape with the middle of the curve closest tooutside left, inside left, inside right and outside
the goalkeeper and the outside defenders, theright.The outside players are called, wingers or flank
points, slightly ahead but behind the midfielders.As thisplayers and are also involved in striking at the goal.
is the shape of a banana the defenders can see oneThis would make this line up have a possibility of 4
another usualy all the time.Some considered the flatstrikers at any given time.These wingers usually have
back option but this means much morethe bulk of the running to do as they could carry the
communication from the capitain of the defenseball from the defending third and into the attacking
usually one of the insiders. The general idea is tothird. This also depends on the team strategy as
have the two defenders attend to the attackoutlined by the coaching staff.The two inside
coming in from their side. This means that themidfielders are supposed to be the "play makers".
opposite outside tucks in a little to cover the centerThese are the individuals who are responsible for
of the field covering the goal and any incomingcarrying out the plans the coach and players have
additional attacking opponents. When the team hasdesigned and used as the methods of attack and
possession the defenders would then play wide togoal scoring.These positions have traditionally played
stretch out the other teams attackers.This is alsothese roles. However nowadays the play making
known as playing it around the back.Sometimes thecomes from anyone and sometimes all the players at
defenders can be lined up in a diamond shape. This isany given time.These inside players have also been
to utilize the last player back as a "sweeper" whomore defensive in their general on field play.This
clears the ball up the field and out to the otherdefensive idea is to stop the opposition from creating
defenders and mid fielders.attacking options.Forwards;These are the main
This player is in constant communication with theggoooooooooooalll scoring machines. The ones who
goalkeeper and relays the message to the otherreact to the ball quickly and are able to shoot from
defenders. This is because the goalkeepers can seeany place on the field. To be effective they should
the complete field from their vantage point.At timeswork closely together as a team and pair. To this
and in some cases too often this central defender willextent they are sometimes called "twin strikers".They
by-pass the midfield and play it up to the forwards. Iare also responsible for creating space by making the
say too often because this usually has the forwardsdefenders mark them. They make the defense leave
out numbered by the opposing defenders.. Howevertheir zonal resposibilities whereby taking them "out of
there are a few "power forwards" who could handlethe game".Steve September of On The Ball Soccer
this situation, but most are unable too.The defenderTraining has been involved in soccer for over forty
at the top of the diamond is considered theyears and on three continents. As a player, player
"stopper" whose duty is to challenge any attack orcoach and high performance coach Steve wants to
attacking play. They usually play from side to sideshare the knowledge and experiences with all levels
rather than up and down the field. These defendersof people involved in the soccer scene.