Football Tactics
Senior 2 · Physical Education
Football Tactics
Lesson 4 of 4
20 min
Before a match a coach gives the team a plan: where each player stands, what to do with the ball and what to do without it. A team that follows the plan together beats a team of better individuals playing their own games. This lesson teaches you to read a formation, understand your role, and turn a coach's instruction into action in a game.
A formation describes how the outfield players are arranged, counted from the back. A 4–4–2 has four defenders, four midfielders and two forwards. The goalkeeper is never counted, so the numbers always add up to 10.
A transition is the moment the ball changes team. On losing it, the players nearest the ball press while the others recover their defensive shape. On winning it, the team decides at once: counter-attack quickly into space, or keep possession while the team spreads out again.
Worked example
A team defends in a 4–4–2. When it has the ball, the two wide midfielders push up alongside the two strikers. What shape does it attack in?
Defenders: 4. Midfielders: 4 − 2 = 2. Forwards: 2 + 2 = 4.
Attacking shape = 4–2–4. Check: 4 + 2 + 4 = 10 outfield players.
Coaches use conditioned games, small-sided games with an extra rule that forces a tactic:
Communication keeps the plan working. Common calls are:
Fair play is part of every instruction: accept the referee's decision, help a fallen opponent up, and never dive or waste time.
At school: play 5 v 5 on a 30 m × 20 m area with cones for goals. The teacher gives one instruction per game and stops play briefly ("freeze!") to show where players should be.
Tip
Formation sums: the numbers must add up to 10, because the goalkeeper is left out. When you describe a role, say what the player does both with and without the ball.
How many defenders, midfielders and forwards are there in a 4–5–1? Check the total.
Solution. 4 defenders, 5 midfielders and 1 forward: 4 + 5 + 1 = 10 outfield players.
A team plays 4–3–3. Without the ball, both wide forwards drop back into midfield. What is the defending shape?
Solution. Defenders 4, midfielders 3 + 2 = 5, forwards 3 − 2 = 1. It becomes a 4–5–1.
The coach sets "two-touch only". A player controls, dribbles past one opponent and then passes. Has she followed the instruction?
Solution. No. Control, dribble and pass is at least three touches. She should control and pass, or pass first time.
A midfielder receives the ball with an opponent sprinting at him from behind. What should a teammate shout?
Solution. "Man on!"
Remember
Sources and credits
This lesson adapts CC BY-SA material and is shared under CC BY-SA 4.0.
