5-a-side formation: 2-1-1

2-1-1 IN-POSSESSION - BY POSITION

Goalkeeper

Having two defenders and one midfielder in front of them provides the goalkeeper with a picture that they are likely to see a lot as they progress through the different formats of the game.

Many formations in the 9v9 and 11v11 versions feature two centre-backs and a central midfielder, meaning the keeper has three points of support, in a triangle shape.

This five-a-side formation, therefore, provides the goalkeeper with the opportunity to practice the type of passing they will need to complete many times in the years ahead of them.

Two defenders either side of them will allow the goalkeeper to practise passing to both their left and right. But, more importantly, it will help them to understand where exactly they need to pass the ball. 

If their team-mate has space in front of them, for example, they can begin to develop an understanding that they can pass into that space, encouraging the receiving player to play forward.

However, if there is an opponent close by, the goalkeeper will need to pass the ball to feet, so that their team-mate can secure it. 

Though this may seem like a simple decision to make, and relatively easy to execute, it is quite challenging for a player of such a young age, particularly understanding the concept of playing the ball into space, rather than directly to the player.

Defenders

The two defenders will need to provide the midfielder and the striker with support when the team is progressing up the pitch.

Ideally, when they provide this support, they will do so from a wide area, meaning they are also providing the team with width. 

The defenders will need to recognise that they need to work in tandem when supporting the attack.

They can both be part of the initial build-up, taking up positions in wide areas; but once the play progresses, and the ball gets closer to the opponent’s goal, it is important that one of the defenders returns to the centre of the pitch to provide the required defensive cover.

When they are in the wide areas, the defenders will have the opportunity to practice a number of key aspects of the game. 

If there is space ahead of them, they can run with the ball; if there is a player closing them down, they can dribble, or look to retain possession individually.

When a player receives the ball in space in a wide area of the field, we usually ask them to travel forward, in a straight line, down the wing. 

However, encouraging them to drive inside can increase the number of options they have, allowing them to change direction at speed before the defender has the opportunity to close them down. 

This prevents them from getting into a situation where they have to transition from running with the ball to dribbling.

Midfielder

It is likely that the midfielder will find themselves in a situation where they either receive the ball or win the ball close to their own goal.

When this happens, they will need to get the ball away from this part of the pitch, while also ensuring that the team retains possession.

A key element of this is the player being able to play with their head up and making the right decision as to whether they should pass the ball on to a team-mate (likely to be the striker) or retain it and rely on themselves to start the attack.

This is a good opportunity for them to understand the importance of scanning so that they can see what is ahead of them; a valid option to pass the ball to, or space for them to travel into.

Another development opportunity for this particular player is to improve their passing. 

With the defenders situated in the wide areas, it is likely that it will be the midfielder who gets the ball to these particular players. 

To do this, the ball will need to travel over what is quite a long distance for players of this age. Therefore, the midfielder will need to learn how to strike the ball with a bit more power compared to a usual pass to a team-mate. 

To do this, they will need to use their laces, rather than the side of their foot. This will, of course, impact the accuracy of their pass. As with everything at this age, we will need to be extremely patient with their progress and development, as they learn the body movements needed to execute this type of pass accurately.

Forward

One of the main techniques the forward will need to execute effectively is the ability to control the ball.

As they are the sole player up front, and the most advanced, it’s likely that their team-mates will often look to get the ball to them. 

At this stage, we cannot expect the pass that is played to the forward to be exact. Therefore, they will need to move to the ball, and get there ahead of any opponent.

When they reach the ball, whether it is still moving or stationary, they will need to collect it with some level of control, so they can secure it and keep it away from the opposition.

With just one midfielder close to them, the forward will likely become quite isolated when they have the ball. They will therefore get plenty of opportunities to work on retaining the ball as an individual. 

To do this, they will either need to be very direct, and try and get to the goal as quickly as possible – as the longer they keep it, the more likely it is they will lose possession – or they will need to try and stay on the ball, until support arrives in the shape of either the midfielder or one of the defenders.

This will require shielding and manipulating the ball to keep it away from their opponent until support arrives.

5v5 2-1-1 - OUT-OF-POSSESSION SUMMARY

2-1-1 OUT-OF-POSSESSION - BY POSITION

Goalkeeper

If the team loses possession when the two defenders are both positioned in a wide area, it is likely that the opposition will head straight to goal, with only the midfielder in any kind of position to stop them.

In these instances, the goalkeeper will probably have to deal with shots coming from a central position. This could be from a player running straight at goal and shooting while on the run, or a player being stood near the goal and receiving the ball. 

In both situations, it is likely that the player will shoot by hitting the ball as hard as they can. The goalkeeper will need to demonstrate the right technique to ensure the ball does not go through them, while also remembering to stay tall and big.

The keeper will also need to respond when the opposition travels forward in wide positions.

It is unlikely, in this scenario, that a player will come inside and look to shoot, because of the positioning of the two defenders. Instead, they will probably try to play the ball to a team-mate instead, or cross it. 

At this stage of their development, we can’t expect players to cross the ball effectively, nor can we expect them to defend crosses competently. So, after the ball is played into the box, it will spend a good amount of time in there, while players from both sides attempt to get hold of it. 

This gives the goalkeeper an opportunity to develop their leadership skills and ability to take command of ‘their’ penalty box. 

At this age, goalkeepers will mainly stay on the goal line, but this situation will provide them with opportunities to come off it, take responsibility and claim the ball.

Defenders

Playing with two defenders provides a good opportunity for these players to understand how they can work together as a pair.

We want the defenders to understand which one should go to the ball, while their partner stays close by behind them.

This concept will take players time to grasp and implement; but, by doing so, they will start to gain an understanding of some of the key principles of being out of possession.

Given the space this formation provides in wide areas, the opponent will often be travelling quickly with the ball out wide. 

This provides the defenders with another developmental opportunity. Because they will mainly be positioned in the centre of the pitch, one of them will need to travel across to the wide area to engage the opponent with the ball.

At this stage, players will run towards the player in possession, often without taking into consideration the fact that this player is moving, and therefore they will need to keep altering where they are running to. 

There is an opportunity to help them understand that they need to run towards where their opponent is going to, rather than where they are currently situated. Doing so will allow them to get to the player with the ball quicker, while also putting them in a better position to win the ball. 

Midfielder

This can be a challenging role to play in this formation, as the midfielder can easily end up running all over the pitch.

This is understandably done in an attempt to win the ball back. However, we can support the midfielder in their understanding of the need to stay in their position.

This can be achieved by providing simple instructions or challenges to stay in the middle when the team doesn’t have the ball.

To support them with this, we can ask them to imagine two lines running up the pitch, the width of the penalty area, and to stay within these lines when they are defending.

In some scenarios, the ball will go past the midfielder, meaning they are no longer goal-side. In these circumstances, we would want the midfielder to recover as quickly as possible, getting back into a position where they can help protect the goal.

The most important thing is the player recognises that they need to get back quickly and support their team-mates in protecting the goal. 

Again, we can provide them with challenges that will help them understand the importance of making a recovery run. 

For instance, when the ball goes past them, we can ask them to see how quickly they can position themselves in between the ball and the goal. 

Doing so will hopefully stop them from just watching to see what happens, or chasing the ball into an area of the pitch where they are not needed.

Forwards

Playing on their own up front can lead to the forward developing the bad habit of chasing the ball around the pitch while the other team is in possession.

Although we want to encourage a player’s desire to go and win the ball, and have the energy to press an opponent, we want the forward to be a bit more controlled when doing so.

So, instead of them focusing on the ball and trying to catch up with it all of the time, we could ask them to concentrate their efforts on just one opposition player. 

For example, we could tell them not to worry if the goalkeeper has the ball, or if it is played back to them. Instead, we can ask them to try to be patient (another key defensive principle that players need to learn), wait until the defender receives it, and then press them.

We could also challenge the forward to track the runs of opposition players. 

With such a small number of players on the pitch, it is likely that, when teams attack, all of the players will look to get involved and help the team score. 

This means that, quite often, a defender (or defenders) from the opposition will look to join the attack. 

When this happens, they will often join their team-mates from behind the ball, and will therefore not be picked up by any of the defenders, or the midfielder. Therefore, we can challenge the striker to chase any of the defenders that they see making a run towards the goal. 

The most important thing is the forward recognises that an opponent has made a run and that they need to follow them, just in case they receive the ball.