Changing Team Shape Depending on the Game Situation

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Depending on the game situation we may need to change our team shape.

We are winning with 20 minutes to go and the opponents are on top and pressing us hard. We MUST have a contingency plan to stop them.

We switch from 2 defensive Banks of 3 players to two defensive Banks of 4 players OR, we have a defensive midfielder between each defensive bank of players for extra security. We rely on our players 7, 9, 10 and 10 to counter attack when we win the ball, then if we lose possession we drop back into our defensive shape.

So when we are dominating the game we are our usual 1-3-3-1-3 and we stay with that. But if under intense pressure we MUST be more solid defensively so we switch to either of these formations, 1-4-4-1-1 or 1-4-1-4-1.

Defensive Position of Players

Defending shape short and tight; we are winning but under a lot of pressure and need to defend more strongly. 

defensive position of players

The players are playing in a 1-3-3-1-3 system of play. We have: 

  1. The keeper
  2. The right midfielder 
  3. The left midfielder
  4. The right center back
  5. The left center back
  6. The central center back
  7. The right winger
  8. The central defensive midfielder
  9. The striker
  10. The False (9)
  11. The left winger

No designated fullbacks or wing backs; a very attacking and thought provoking set up.

You may make substitutions to suit this formation better.

Offensive Position of Players

Initial open attacking team shape with 6 players touchline wide to open up the middle and / or create space in wide areas either or depending on how the opponents set up defensively..

offensive position of players

The players are playing in a 1-3-3-1-3 system of play. We have: 

  1. The keeper
  2. The right midfielder 
  3. The left midfielder
  4. The right center back
  5. The left center back
  6. The central center back
  7. The right winger
  8. The central defensive midfielder
  9. The striker
  10. The False (9)
  11. The left winger

No designated fullbacks or wing backs; a very attacking and thought provoking set up.

Changing Shape to a 1-4-4-1-1

Defending shape short and tight a simple change in system if we need to defend more with now two banks of 4 players protecting the goal instead of two banks of 3 players. 

changing shape to a 1-4-4-1-1

Changing Shape to a 1-4-1-4-1

This is another option. Defending shape short and tight a simple change in system if we need to defend more with now two banks of 4 players protecting the goal instead of two banks of 3 players. 

changing shape to a 1-4-1-4-1

Defending Deep and Counter Attacking

Opponents attack and lose the ball we do not hesitate, we immediately counter attack. They MUST attack in numbers to try to get back in the game so they are vulnerable at the back. We hit them fast, long and hard on the counter attack.

defending deep and counter attacking