Game Strategies and Different Systems of Play to Learn
/There will be many occasions where we must change the system of play to suit the moment. We want to be able to play several different ways depending on the course of the game. We have chosen these systems of play below (it could be others depending on your needs and beliefs).
1-4-2-3-1: Attacking and defending shape
1-3-3-1-3: Note the different way the wing fullbacks defend positionally to the 1-4-2-3-1
1-2-3-2-3: We are losing and must take chances and attack
1-5-4-1 and counter attacking: We are winning but under intense pressure switch from 1-4-2-3-1.
Alternative way : 1-3-3-1-3 we are winning but under intense pressure we change to 1-4-4-1-1 or 1-4-1-4-1 and counterattack
We are down to 10 players and losing : Game Strategy Changes : Set up in an offensive 1-4-2-3 (1-2-3-1-3)
We are down to 10 players and winning : Game Strategy changes : We set up in a 1-4-4-1
We are down to 10 players and winning : Game Strategy changes : we set up in a 1-5-3-1
This guarantees us NOTHING results wise ; but it does give us the best possible chance to win ; by at the very least ; being prepared
This post is part 1 of a 4 part series on game strategies. Part 2-4 are only available to Soccer Awareness Training Center Members.
Differences and changes for positions based on our formations: We work with a back 3, 4 or 5.
1-4-2-3-1: Fullbacks a part of a four defensively; but more like wing fullbacks in attacking formation. Formation Changes to 1-3-3-1-3 in attack.
1-3-3-1-3: And 1 0 down so chasing the game with a High press all over the field and especially up front.
1-3-3-1-3: Right or left full back pushes on into a wide much more attacking wing fullback position; meaning we attack with BOTH 2 and 7 or 3 and 11 as an overload . Perhaps pick their weak side defensively to exploit.
1-3-3-1-3: Wing full back is much more attacking positioning perhaps 20 yards higher up the field and more like a wide midfielder . Number 8 pushes on between 6 and 10 offensively.
1-3-3-1-3: Now attacking with 6 players (or more if needed) defending with 4 plus the keeper.
1-5-4-1: And 1 0 up but being pressured: defend deeper don’t allow to much space in behind for them to play into. Forces them to play in front of you where we are strong. If defend high one ball in behind can beat a back 3, 4 or 5; numbers don't matter; so don’t encourage them to play in behind unless your central center back defends much deeper for this (If clever; they push a player onto our deep center back?).
1-5-4-1: Wing backs are now regular fullbacks perhaps 20 yards deeper and a part of a back five . 2 main changes, center midfielder moves into the back five and number 10 moves into center midfield. DEFEND WITH PATIENCE we are winning; no need to chase the game.
1-5-4-1: Counter attack when we win it; meaning the 2 wide midfielders become attacking wingers with the striker and a center midfielder attacking also (likely the number 10 who has previously dropped into center midfield). So when counter attacking defend with 6 plus keeper; attack with 4 (or more depending on the moment)
1-2-3-2-3: Ultra attacking 1 0 down , now both wing fullbacks attacking. Number 6 in front of the 2 center backs must have discipline defensively.
Initially showing the 4 systems of play and how they change from one to the other in their simplest form for ease of understanding; and depending on the game situation and WHY we need to change.
Our advantage is our opponents do NOT know what we are changing to from our pre-planning work..
Playing the 1-4-2-3-1 to begin
This is the defending team shape (defending start position) of a 1-4-2-3-1.
A simple way to change to 1-3-3-1-3
Switch to 1-3-3-1-3 attacking. May need to change personnel to suit these changes.
OR: Attacking shape of 1-4-2-3-1 AND 1-3-3-1-3
This is the attacking team shape (attacking “start position”) is 1-3-3-1-3. May need to change personnel to suit these changes.
1-3-3-1-3: Simplicity of change from 1-4-2-3-1
This is the defending team shape (defending start position) of a 1 3 3 1 3. The positioning of the wing fullbacks defensively is somewhat alien to most set ups in other formations; and you must explain and show in detail to your players how this works and why. May need to change personnel to suit these changes; but this is for “speed” of change.
We move defensively as a TEAM
Still maintaining compactness and team shape defensively. The WHOLE team moves to the left and condense spaces.
1-2-3-2-3 Ultra offensive from a 1-3-3-1-3
Push (6), (8) and (10) even higher up the field offensively.(2) and (3) also. This is the attacking team shape now; a 1 3 1 3 3 or 1 2 3 2 3 depending on the moment. This can also be the attacking team shape we change to when we are chasing a game perhaps losing 1 0 and wanting to be more positive in attack. So this now would be the “attacking start position”.
1-5-4-1: Simplicity of change from 1-4-2-3-1
We drop (6) into a sweeper role and attacking midfielder (10) into a central midfield role.. Only 2 major changes of positioning so its very easy for players to understand. May need to change personnel to suit these changes. Midfield four must stay tight.
Playing a 1-5-4-1 when pressured and then Counter Attacking
Opponents are doing a full team press on us and GAMBLING playing a high back line. We drop (6) into a sweeper role. A Bad pas s t o 8. Our counterattack policy is to hit (7), (9) or (11) early and support quickly. Back four stay intact unless a wing back is advanced.
This post is part 1 of a 4 part series on game strategies. Part 2-4 are only available to Soccer Awareness Training Center Members.
