6v6 Formations
6v6 is played in our 8u age group. Refer to the 7v7 Formations page as the player formation recommendations are the same, the only difference being that 7v7 introduces the goalkeeper.
5v5 Formations
After reading about lineup creation, player positions, and basics of formations, you should have a solid grounding to select your formation for the season. Here are specific recommendations for 5v5 (no keeper) used in our 7u age group. 1-3-1 Pros: Provides good depth and great width Solid center provided by CM and CB Cons: Mids must [...]
Restarts and Set Plays
Restarts (goal kicks, corner kicks, throw-ins, kick offs) offer up the opportunity to create "set plays". These are essentially scripted plays that all players know what to expect and how to execute. The types, variation, and complexity of set plays increases over time as players get older. For 8u, your set play for a throw-in could [...]
9v9 Formations
After reading about lineup creation, player positions, and basics of formations, you should have a solid grounding to select your formation for the season. Here are specific recommendations for 9v9. 3-2-3 Pros: 4 spots to put less developed players (wings and fullbacks) Very strong center Excellent width Provides good passing and clearing options Tends to isolate your forward with [...]
7v7 Formations
After reading about lineup creation, player positions, and basics of formations, you should have a solid grounding to select your formation for the season. Here are specific recommendations for 7v7. 2-3-1 Pros: Good width and field coverage Less physically demanding Cons: Creates a hole in the middle of defense (fullbacks unsure who covers a drive up the middle) Only [...]
4v4 Formations
After reading about lineup creation, player positions, and basics of formations, you should have a solid grounding to select your formation for the season. Here are specific recommendations for 4v4. 1-2-1 For 7u and above I recommend a basic diamond formation. It introduces the concept of a 3 tier system and promotes better spacing among players. [...]
Soccer Formations
A soccer formation (also called a “system”) is simply how you structure the different positions on the field. Formations are always notated the same way starting with the number of fullbacks, then midfielders, then forwards. Goalkeepers are always ignored because there is always one and it’s the only mandatory position on the field. So if you [...]