5-a-side formation: 2-2

2-2 IN-POSSESSION - BY POSITION

Goalkeeper

When the goalkeeper has initial possession of the ball, this formation provides them two very good options: the two defenders.

Because there is two of them, it is likely that they will position themselves either side of the goalkeeper, giving them two different options. This enables them to practice their passing to either side. 

However, because there are two defenders, this leaves just two other outfield players that the player on the ball can pass to. It is therefore likely that, sometimes, the defenders will choose to play the ball back to the goalkeeper. This then puts them in a completely different situation.

When the ball is played back to the keeper, the first thing they will need to consider is their first touch.

As the pass is made to the goalkeeper, it is likely that at least one opposition player will follow the pass and press the ball. Therefore, the goalkeeper cannot just control the ball and play it in front of them. 

Instead, they will need to take a touch away from the opponent pressing them, and into a space where they can protect the ball and be able to pass it to a team-mate. 

The pass will then need to be completed as they are on the move, rather than a pass which is performed while a player is stationary.

Defenders

With not too many options ahead of them, the likelihood is that the two defenders will need to travel with the ball should they want to play forward.

This will result in them having to execute a number of techniques, including turning, dribbling and running with the ball. 

It is important that, in these situations, we encourage the player on the ball to try to keep possession themselves when they come under pressure from an opponent, but also allow the decision to make a pass – most likely to the goalkeeper – as an option.

If they do decide to pass it to a team-mate, it is important that they learn to play the pass with accuracy and a good amount of weight – otherwise they will risk putting the player receiving the ball under a lot of pressure.

If they decide to keep the ball, they will come under pressure themselves and will, therefore, get plenty of opportunities to dribble and attempt to get past their opponent. 

When this is successful, they will transition into running with the ball and will then need to decide when they should release the ball to a team-mate. 

Ideally, they will keep hold of it until the right moment to pass it, which is once they have drawn an opponent towards them. This should then, hopefully, provide more space for the team-mate who will receive the pass. 

At this stage, we can also start to introduce to some of the players the technique of playing the pass with the outside of their foot. 

Using the outside of the foot means the pass can be executed with disguise, allowing the player to play the ball without having to change their running pattern or stride.

Forwards

An important part of the forward players’ performance is their support play.

When one of their team-mates has the ball, it is important that the forwards understand that they need to find spaces on the pitch where they are in a position to receive the ball.

This teaches them not to just run towards the goal, or take up the space their team-mate wants to go into. Helping them understand distances becomes important.

Another crucial part of support that these players need to learn is being in a place where they can actually receive the ball, so ensuring the ball can reach them without it being blocked or intercepted.

Players must understand that, when they do receive the ball, they are likely to have some support with them; their partner. 

In most other four-a-side and five-a-side formations, the furthest player is on their own. Therefore, when they receive the ball they will have limited options to begin with until other players join them. 

In the 2-2 formation, though, the forward player receiving the ball will quite often have their partner close by, and will, therefore, have to decide whether to keep it themselves or pass it on. 

We should encourage them to keep it themselves as much as possible, while introducing them to the principles about when they should release it – usually, when their partner is in a much better position. 

We can also ask them to be quick and decisive. If they decide to keep it themselves, they need to be direct and attack the defender and if they are going to pass it, then should do it without taking too many touches.

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

2-2 OUT-OF-POSSESSION - BY POSITION

Goalkeeper

The opposition will be expected to get a lot of success in wide areas, as they are likely to have lots of space there, and it may take some time for outfield players to understand who should close down the player on the ball and when they should do it.

This is a good opportunity for the goalkeeper to work on their positioning and start to develop an understanding about the importance of angles. 

It will also give them a good opportunity to improve their diving, as a lot of the shots are likely to go across the goal. 

It is also likely that the goalkeeper will get some opportunities to develop their ability to deal with shots from distance. 

As there are two defenders protecting the goal and the centre of the pitch, it is possible that an opposition player on the ball will look to shoot, rather than try to get past their opponent. 

At this stage, a lot of the development for a goalkeeper will concentrate on their technique, in terms of their hands and getting their body behind the ball. 

As the goals are quite small in this format of the game, there is a good opportunity for the goalkeeper to develop these core techniques. 

Most of the time they will be in a position where they can get to the ball, it is just a matter of them demonstrating the required technique to make sure they save the shot.

Defenders

As with any formation, the defenders can expect to face a lot of 1v1 situations, face to face.

This particular formation allows the defenders to learn how to defend as a pair. Eventually, this will include getting the ’second defender’ to understand how to provide balance and cover. 

But, to begin with, we need to simply support them in understanding that only one player needs to go to the opponent with the ball, while the other can stay in positon and protect the goal.

This gets more complicated for the players when the ball is in the wide areas of the pitch. 

In this instance, they will have to decide when they should go and engage the player, because, if they go too early, they could leave the team open. Therefore, they need to work out the level of danger and decide whether there is a need to close down the opponent. 

Eventually the answer will, of course, be ‘yes’ – then, they need to go and try to win the ball. 

We must get the two players to understand the importance of having to be patient at times, rather than charging towards the ball all of time. 

Doing so will help them to understand the need to protect the central areas of the pitch, as this is the most dangerous place for the opposition to have the ball.

Forwards

The key element when it comes to the two front players defending is them understanding that, if the ball does go past them, that does not mean they can no longer help the team to defend.

Understandably, at this age, players will stop once the ball has gone past them, whether this is through an opponent dribbling past them or because of a pass. 

We should change this mindset and help them understand the importance of making a recovery run, even if it looks like there is no chance of them getting back in time. 

Stress the need to recover, just in case there is a possibility for players to get themselves into a position where they can make an important tackle or stop the ball reaching an opponent. 

To begin with, we should get them to run towards the goal if the ball goes past them. This teaches them the concept of being ‘compact’ and helping to protect the goal.

These two players can also develop an understanding of how to close players down. Because they are playing as the front players, they will naturally press opponents with the ball, whereas the two defenders will often hold their position and wait for the opponent to come to them. 

With two front players, we can encourage them to defend high up the pitch and put pressure on the opponent’s defenders and midfielders when they have the ball. 

It is a good opportunity for the forwards to learn the importance of closing down the player quickly, but then slowing down as they get close to them. 

If they are ready, we can provide them with further detail about taking smaller steps as they approach the opponent, and adopting the correct body shape.

The key element is them understanding how putting pressure on a player can force a mistake, or allow them to win the ball. To do this, they must go from running at full speed, to slowing down, but not stopping.