THE BUZZ ABOUT FORMATION

As a coach of youth football coaching drills, it is important to understand formations and to select one that is suitable for you and your players. I have tried several formations in my time from the 5-3-2, 3-4-3, etc. and quite frankly when dealing with players under the age of 13, it is far better to stick to the conventional 4-4-2 formation.

If you have good strikers and a strong midfield, then you will be in a far better position to attack using your midfielders to set up your strikers to score goals. Always ensure that your defenders do not stand in a straight line behind the midfielders, as what tends to happen is that a large open gap is set up between the two which allows the opposing side to exploit this space to counter attack. Make sure that two defenders are directly behind the midfielders and two defenders are behind them closer to the outside goal box.

With youth football coaching drills, I am a great believer in using my outside midfielders as wings to launch attacks up either side of the field in order to set up the strikers to score. In most junior football matches, the game seems to be played in the center of the field and little attention is paid to the sides of the field. Often you will see a channel developing on one side of the field which in turn will allow your wing to dribble the ball right up to the outside goal box and set up a goal.

It is also a good strategy to use your strongest and fastest player as a defender who in turn acts as a sweeper. Meaning that this player must be able to launch counter attacks from within your half and once again link up with either wing to set up scoring opportunities, whilst at the same time this player must be able to run back and defend should the need arise.

As the coach it is your job to act as the General on the side line and to talk, shout, warn and direct your players whilst the game is on. Most junior soccer players are NOT going to be looking at what’s going on around them and will be focused on wherever the ball is. You need to direct your players and you need to become their eyes when they miss something or when they are moving out of position.

Cheers for now.

Mike