Choosing a formation

This article right here is your starting point. Dave addresses the challenge of choosing a formation and how most players in the younger ages will all want to play striker! From here, Dave provided examples of formations for 4v4 and 5v5 (for the Under-6 to Under-8 age groups), and works up to 7v7 and 9v9 formations.

Here, Dave provides graphics of each formation from a 5v5 to 11v11. Color coding the new players, he shows how to easily add in the two new player positions for each formation as the teams work their way up. The additions to the 7v7 are wingers. For 9v9, the additional positions are central players so the new players added to 11v11 are two attacking wingers. This is the most logical build up to the 11v11 format within a 1-4-3-3 formation.

For more details on the attacking and defending roles of each formation, Dave has also provided samples of different formations for each game model. In this 7v7 formation, players are organized around the diamond shape and the players on the wing defend and support the attack.

This 9v9 formation builds on the diamond and triangle shapes and gives the central players plenty of options for angled passes. The key is to emphasize spreading out in the attack to create the passing lanes and give players success in this formation. When defending, getting compact and behind the ball quickly is a must so the middle isn’t left vulnerable.

I hope you find these resources helpful as you work with the teams and decide which formation will be best for the players. Remember to allow the players to experience each position at the younger ages and regardless of the formation chosen, make sure the players are learning and having fun. Good luck, coaches!