4231 by Philip Henry

Team Formation 1-4-2-3-1 LSB

LAM

CAM

RSB

RAM

4-2-3-1 V 4-4-2 LSB

Opp

LAM

Opp

Opp CH

Opp

CAM

CM CH

Opp

RSB

Opp

RAM

Opp

Opposition keeper has ball Back 4 on edge of own Centre Cirlce. Wide midfielders play deeper. Centre forward shows towards centre half

Opp Opp LAM LSB

Opp CF CM

Opp

CH CAM

Opp

CH CM

Opp Opp

RSB RAM

Opp Opp

Centre forward shows towards centre half Opp CAM presses centre half and shows outside RAM presses ball side full back CAM and CH non ball side get in a position to press. LSB LSB tucks in to cover.

Opp

LAM

Opp CF CM

LSB

Opp

CH CM

CAM

Opp

CH CM

Opp

CAM

Opp RSB RSB

Opp

RAM

Opp

Right back gets caught high up pitch `. Ball Side midfielder covers.

Opp

Opp LAM

LAM

LSB

Opp Opp

Opp

CF CAM

CAM

Opp

CM CH

Opp

Opp CM

Opp

RAM

RSB

Opp

RSB

RAM

Centre Mids Covering for full backs.

Centre half goes out to cover full back `. Ball Side midfielder covers centre half. Ball side full back makes recovery run

Opp LAM

Opp

LSB

LAM

Opp CH

Opp CM CF CAM

CAM

Opp

Opp CM

RAM

RSB

Opp

RAM

Opp RSB

Centre Mids Covering for Centre Halfs

Ball Side wide attacking mid goes to full back centre forward drops deep to stop switch Centre mids prevent passes to CFS. Opp CAM picks up ball side cm. LSB

Opp

LAM LAM

LSB CH

Opp

CH K

Opp CAM

Opp

RSB

Opp

CAM

Opp

RAM

RSB

Opp Opp RAM

Who takes Who in Defensive Phase

Opp

LSB makes a Long pass to the CF who comes to the ball. The CAM supports on the front LSB and looks for inside support from the RAM. The CM stay narrow to allow pass

LAM

LAM CH

CF K

CAM K

CH RAM

RAM

RSB

CH Long pass into 9. Support on front from CAM. High energy from LAM & RAM LSB

LAM

LAM CH

CM CAM

K K

CH RAM

RAM

RSB

CH passes wide to RSB. RAM runs inside, RSB passes down for oncoming CF. LSB RAM, CAM, LAM CM make for the box.

LAM

LAM CH CM CM CAM

CF CAM

RAM

RAM CF RSB

CM is the deep support midfield player for the RAM . LSB

LAM CH LSB CM

LAM CM CF

K CAM CH

CAM

CH CM CH

RSB

RAM

Ballside CM Supports deeper than the ball (RSB). To be able to start again, switch etc.

LAM

LSB

CAM CM

CF CH

RAM RSB

When attacking, 6 players advance and 4 + GK Remain LSB, CH, CH and 1 CM

LSB LAM CM CH CM CF K

CAM CH

RSB joins in play ball side aggressively. Forwards attack front post, middle, back post. 1CM takes position edge of box. RSB

RAM

THE GOAL KEEPER The keeper must be a good communicator and organiser, must be prepared to have an aggressive high start position to sweep up any balls played over the back unit. must be confident with footwork and be prepared to make controlled directional passes both from the ground and out of the hands. In this area the keeper must be strong commanding and confident. Shot Stopping and positional play with good distribution (habs and feet) are key for good goal keepers

THE CENTER BACK CB must be able to “MARK” the opponent and support nearby team mates. The ability to mark space and travel to mark tight (reading dangerous situations). CB must be able to get tight but not turned and to be able to stop the opponent turning and facing up. Comfortable in 1v1 situations. CB must be aggressive and strong when competing both on the ground and in the air. The CB must be good at playing for time (delaying) in order to avoid being beaten. Moreover the CB must be comfortable in the central back zone when the opponenet doesn’t have the “ball”, especially in the penalty area, CB must be ready to recieve a pass or cross pass from a team mate. CB must be on the same wave lenght as team mates when the marking is switched and must be able to shift the marking accordingly to the situation of a team mate being beaten by the opponent. CB must be good at making long and accurate passes in order for the team to build up attack with long passing. Overall CB must have aerial power, good at delaying, anticipating and tackling. They need to be good at reading situations so they can place themselves in good covering positions to support the team mates, they need to play off either foot and be capable of long or short range passing. They need to be strong leaders and competitors.

THE FULL BACK (Side Back) The side back must cover the opponent in his zone and must cover the space between CB. When SB marks an opponent with out the ball, SB must be able to take an appropraite position and the “PASS” the marking on the a team mate especially when the opponent cuts toward the centre, in the space in front of the defence line. The SB must be good at building up the offensive phase, and by dribbling the ball forwardso as to gain a numerical advantage in the midfield.

THE FULL BACK (Side Back) cont.... SB need a good sense of positioning, they need to be aggressive, they block their direct opponents in 1v1 situations, take the right place in the penalty area to the opposing forward, and be good at anticiapating the opponents movements. SB must be good with the ball, have excellent sprinting ability and have good recovery (go again quickly). Sb must be attack minded in the opponents half and be able to deliver quality crosses into the oppositions. Good muscular power to win the personal battle.

THE CENTRAL MIDFIELDER (Screen) Because of the position, in the offensive phase the CM must not lose the ball, therefore the Cm must be able to protect the ball and have excellent ball control skills. CM must also be able to make accurate passes to serve team mates both near and far-away. CM is required to win back as many balls as possible, which can then either be dribbled forward or passed to a team mate depending on the situation. CM must be good a shooting from distance and at penetrating the opposing defence both with and without the ball. CM must have aerial power and good tackling skills. CM must work hard on the distances between the CM and the the back line to be able to help from the front. CM must have excellent vision of play to be able to quickly close down and block the opponents deep attacks. And be patient in his passing to be able to keep possesion 10 goal + a season and be provider of many is a great asset. Cm must have remarkable aerobic capacity as Cm must work very hard and have the necessary talent to win the tackles

THE SIDE MIDFIELDER (WIDE MAN) The SM must be good at protecting the ball and beating an opponent. SM must be good at crossing and at making penetrating passes to the forwards. Sm must be able to penetrate with good timing and speed and be in good support of the forwards. SM must keep good width and be able to cut in and shoot at goal. Sm must have excellent aerobic undurance (Cover large, fast areas), combined with the ability to sprint continuously. SM must be clever in 1v1 situations, not to rush in getting beaten easily by the opponent. Willing to double team with the Full Back (Cover and Support).

THE CENTRAL ATTACKING MIDFIELDER (SCHEMER) The ideal CAM is physically strong and quick in their movements and decision making. CAM is the player who is halfway between the midfield section and the forwards. Most of the effectivenesss of the attack depends on the cleverness and ability to make clever creative passes or timed support runs off the forward. CAM has a calmness in the final 3rd and an eye for goal. CAM must have excellent control and passing skills. CAM must have good positive dribbling skills and be prepared to attack the space in front of them. CAM must work hard in the defence phase to help the forward to apply pressure thus hampering the opposing defences circulation of the ball. If the opposition have a playmaker in front of their defence, then the CAM must counter him in order to hamper the oppositions build up phase

THE CENTER FORWARD (TARGET PLAYER) The main characteristics of the center forward are, the ability to recieve and protect the ball, (good 1st touch) to shoot, to stay cool in and around the goal, to make quality wall passes, one twos and attack deep. CF must be prepared for a physical battle and have good cunning and cleverness. In the defence phase CF must work hard to pressure the full back and keep them going one way. CF must be able to react to transition quickly to stop circulation of the ball across the opposition defence line. Goals are food and drink for a CF so the player needs to be getting in goal scoring positions often and at times with no final ball, CF must have mental strenght to keep looking for that one chance to score, score, score.