Number positions in soccer professional#

But all players need that nowadays, don't they? Our 'sixes' need to possess a high degree of footballing intelligence and the ability to 'read' a game. It's actually superfluous, but we will go into it anyway. For this reason, the wing-backs have to be strong tacklers that are capable of delaying the opponent's attack. In this system, the wing-backs are often faced with the difficult problem that they cannot be immediately supported by their fellow team mates running paths are often very long for defensive players. A very good technical education is important for every position today. Today's wing-backs are fast, agile, confident with the ball and often join the attacking play in a quick-witted and clever manner. Players 2 and 5 are the wing-backs while 4 and 3 are the center-backs. In case of inaccurate passes by the attackers or passes above or via the 'four back', the goal keeper should secure and command the rear space.Ī 'four back' is situated in front of the goal keeper (players 2 to 5). Due to the 'double six' and the good defensive behavior of the midfielders, the pass ways into the joints of the 'four back' are well blocked. Similar to the 4-2-3-1, he is the first attacker and the last defender.

The tasks of the goal keeper have been detailedly described as part of other systems of play/formations and a number of articles. In most cases, this is also a classic center forward. As opposed to the diamond, only one player remains in the front of the 4-2-3-1. In the actual midfield, three players are playing in a single row as part of the 4-2-3-1. A system of play with two 'sixes' results from the diamond formation with merely one 'six' and we are thus playing 4-2-3-1 with a 'double six' or “double pivot” and therefore two holding midfielders, henceforth referred to as the “sixes”, capable of flexibly reacting to the progression of the game. This can be seen in the following illustration: In the basic formation, we move number 8 back from the diamond to the position next to number 6. Furthermore, there are additional 4-5-1 systems, like for example the 4-1-4-1.īy comparing the 4-2-3-1 with the diamond formation of the 4-4-2, we may recognize the structures of the 4-2-3-1 more clearly. The 4-2-3-1 explains the tactical concept far more clearly. The 'trisection' of the system may sound easier, but often leads to misunderstandings. The 4-2-3-1 is thus a 4-5-1 and this points to a strongly positioned midfield.

With the 4-4-2, this differentiation is still far more apparent to the layman. The logical division into defense, midfield and offense was lost in the process.

With the usage of four player rows, the development of complex soccer formations and systems of play was also incorporated into this designation. This system is, for example, played by Borussia Dortmund, one of the 2013 Champions League finalists.Īs opposed to the 4-4-2 with the 'Flat Four', the 'second' back four is completely resolved with the 4-2-3-1 formation.

Number positions in soccer professional#

The 4-2-3-1 is probably one of the most widely used formations in professional soccer. We have structured the systems of play in a systematic way and so that they are easy to understand. To become familiar with the formations and systems of play, you should first read our ' The Foundations of the 4-4-2 (Diamond Midfield)' and ' The Foundations of the 4-4-2 (Flat Four)“ articles. Short introduction to the 4-2-3-1 formation and system of play (soccer's double six)