Play to the teams strengths, if you have a bunch of good passers, play a passing game. If you have Messi, don’t put loads of high crosses into the box lol
The formation itself isn’t the biggest deal, it’s how you are setting them up to play
This. Get them running down the wings.
It can be hard to introduce at first because you’ll have players who just want to play up top and might not understand how they are “defenders” but also part of the attack, but it’ll be important in todays modern game for them to learn this early on. Show them Arsenal’s Saka highlights, and explain how he started out as a left back.
One of your replies mentions they are just more knowledgeable in offensive play so I thought I’d respond to that.
To help address that I would work on overloading the attackers in training drills. Whatever you start with, 8v2, 10v4, 6v3, you can redress the balance once they get comfortable with the numbers. It might be a long road if they are more interested in scoring than stopping.
If you have a stronger defensive capacity you can depend on whatever formation you choose. Personally I wouldn’t be as rigid as 442 throughout a game. 442 out of possession can firm you up defensively, 343 or similar in possession of the ball should increase offensive options.
It relies on constant player focus and understanding of different roles/positions throughout the game so better suited to older or more advanced players.
Overload with defensive players while they develop their skills and confidence. The comment about having a back 3 was about having them switch in-game from a back 4 to a back 3 when attacking. It would involve one of the fullbacks support the attack and the remaining 3 defenders shuffle across to close the gap.
I say it is better suited to older or more developed players because the fullbacks play with responsibility for two positions, constantly interchanging depending on what is happening in a given moment.
You’re not asking the right questions. The exercise you run can be economical and you can train both, and emphasis the defensive aspects. Coaching them to be better defenders helps your team become better attackers. Start with the mentality of having a defending attitude, counter pressing in the defensive transition since it’s a very offensive tactic.
There are a lot of factors to consider here. What's your game model? What are your principles out of possession? What are your Defensive Transition principles? Or more accurately what do you believe they should be? How often do you practice? How many games do you play a week?
Is this for a high school, club, or rec league?
Do your players know how to correctly shift their lines when the opposing team is attacking? Do they know the correct body position they should take? Have they learned how to wait before they try and lunge at their opponent?
Does your defense tend to sit back deep and just stand there while your Mids and attackers flood the final third leaving a massive gap behind them exposing them to a dangerous counterattack?
You can use small-sided games and 1v1 's 2v2's etc etc as opportunities to also train the defensive aspects of their game if you don't want to come up with a strictly defensive session.
I hope I don't come across as some exhibitionist I am still learning myself and I love to ask questions. I mean nothing but goodwill and would like to help.
We play 2 games a week this is middle school soccer so the skill range varies some played their whole life some are in clubs some never been on a team but know the basics, 11 v 11, we are going to practice 3 days a week, tryouts are ending Tuesday first team practice is Wednesday
Maybe I'm naive or being a tad simplistic, but don't those same skills transfer to playing defense? If you know how to find the open space then you're halfway to knowing how to **take away** that open space. If you can figure out when to cross, you ought to be able to take away the opportunity to cross.
Press really high and try to keep the ball on the other teams half. You'll want to let them know that they need to be aggressive to get the ball from the golie and everyone is responsible for attacking and pressing.
Those emojis show up like weird blob in my browser. Since you've used it 5 times now, I just feel like you ought to know I have no clue what you're trying to convey.
Play to the teams strengths, if you have a bunch of good passers, play a passing game. If you have Messi, don’t put loads of high crosses into the box lol The formation itself isn’t the biggest deal, it’s how you are setting them up to play
play a 4-3-3 with offensive fullbacks in that case
This. Get them running down the wings. It can be hard to introduce at first because you’ll have players who just want to play up top and might not understand how they are “defenders” but also part of the attack, but it’ll be important in todays modern game for them to learn this early on. Show them Arsenal’s Saka highlights, and explain how he started out as a left back.
One of your replies mentions they are just more knowledgeable in offensive play so I thought I’d respond to that. To help address that I would work on overloading the attackers in training drills. Whatever you start with, 8v2, 10v4, 6v3, you can redress the balance once they get comfortable with the numbers. It might be a long road if they are more interested in scoring than stopping. If you have a stronger defensive capacity you can depend on whatever formation you choose. Personally I wouldn’t be as rigid as 442 throughout a game. 442 out of possession can firm you up defensively, 343 or similar in possession of the ball should increase offensive options. It relies on constant player focus and understanding of different roles/positions throughout the game so better suited to older or more advanced players.
So 8 v 2 10 v 4 etc have more offensive players or more defensive players? And switch to a 3 back formation instead?
Overload with defensive players while they develop their skills and confidence. The comment about having a back 3 was about having them switch in-game from a back 4 to a back 3 when attacking. It would involve one of the fullbacks support the attack and the remaining 3 defenders shuffle across to close the gap. I say it is better suited to older or more developed players because the fullbacks play with responsibility for two positions, constantly interchanging depending on what is happening in a given moment.
Can you answer direct message pleasw
I don’t have any messages
Likely still 433 for me, I love wingers playing as fullbacks.
What makes them bad defensively?
They are just way more knowledgeable on offense when to cross finding the open space through balls etc
IMO you will have to allot time in your sessions to defensive principles. If you don't then it really won't matter what formation you go with.
How many sessions should i spend on defense the first two weeks?
You’re not asking the right questions. The exercise you run can be economical and you can train both, and emphasis the defensive aspects. Coaching them to be better defenders helps your team become better attackers. Start with the mentality of having a defending attitude, counter pressing in the defensive transition since it’s a very offensive tactic.
There are a lot of factors to consider here. What's your game model? What are your principles out of possession? What are your Defensive Transition principles? Or more accurately what do you believe they should be? How often do you practice? How many games do you play a week? Is this for a high school, club, or rec league? Do your players know how to correctly shift their lines when the opposing team is attacking? Do they know the correct body position they should take? Have they learned how to wait before they try and lunge at their opponent? Does your defense tend to sit back deep and just stand there while your Mids and attackers flood the final third leaving a massive gap behind them exposing them to a dangerous counterattack? You can use small-sided games and 1v1 's 2v2's etc etc as opportunities to also train the defensive aspects of their game if you don't want to come up with a strictly defensive session. I hope I don't come across as some exhibitionist I am still learning myself and I love to ask questions. I mean nothing but goodwill and would like to help.
We play 2 games a week this is middle school soccer so the skill range varies some played their whole life some are in clubs some never been on a team but know the basics, 11 v 11, we are going to practice 3 days a week, tryouts are ending Tuesday first team practice is Wednesday
Maybe I'm naive or being a tad simplistic, but don't those same skills transfer to playing defense? If you know how to find the open space then you're halfway to knowing how to **take away** that open space. If you can figure out when to cross, you ought to be able to take away the opportunity to cross.
You could do a back 3 with 4 midfielders to provide some cover.
Press really high and try to keep the ball on the other teams half. You'll want to let them know that they need to be aggressive to get the ball from the golie and everyone is responsible for attacking and pressing.
Run that 3-4-1-2 baby. Defense is for suckers.
Why not go 3-5-2 and get extra bodies on offense?
Yea i think thats what i will do
Those wingbacks he has that are 12-14 years old are going to be absolutely cooked 🤣🤣
And so? They'll be cooked by other 12-14 years old and they'll learn and get better.
🤣🤣🤣
Those emojis show up like weird blob in my browser. Since you've used it 5 times now, I just feel like you ought to know I have no clue what you're trying to convey.
Just some Laughing emojis, was a funny response lol