Football/Soccer Session (Moderate): Football 9 Formations (Back 3)

1-3-2-3

1-3-2-3 Formation

Strengths

 - Balanced formation in attack and defense
 - Width with the 2/7 and 3/11 providing options

 - 7/11 located higher up the field to support the 9

 - Team is able to press higher up the field

Weaknesses
 - If 7/11 do not occupy opposing outside backs, the 2/3 can be outnumbered

 - 1 central defender can be outnumbered if 6 is unable to hold shape and be disciplined

Characteristics of positions
 - 4
  - Strong individual defender
  - Technically proficient on the ball, able to play out from the back
  - Great communicator and leader on the team
  - Able to read the game well, see when attacks are developing
  - Typically bigger player, but still need to be agile and able to change direction quickly

  - Responsible for opposite Number 9

 - 2 and 3

  - typically smaller, quicker players

  - able to defend 1v1

  - able to get forward to support play

  - capable crosser of the ball

  - Responsible for opposite number 7 and 11

 - 6

  - defensive minded midfielder

  - able to read the game extremely well and break up opposing attacks

  - very technically proficient, should be able to switch the play with ease, player longer and shorter passes
 - 8
  - true box to box midfielder
  - very physically fit, capable of running at distance and covering distance quickly
  - Intelligent, reads the game well and able to defend and attack equally
  - Technically clean on the ball
  - Capable tackler
 - 7 and 11
  - Very physically fit, have to cover great distances to support defenders and attack
  - Quickness and speed is a priority
  - Players are typically smaller in size, quicker
  - Good individual defenders outside
  - Good crossers of the ball, able to pick out runners in the box

  - Responsible for opposite number 2 and 3 if team plays with 4 in back.
 - 9
  - In this formation, needs to be able to play with back to goal, bring in help
  - Technically clean, good first touch, strong on the ball
  - A true 9 is typically taller, physically imposing, who can occupy center backs of other teams

False 9 Role
- You will see teams implement a False 9 in this formation. This allows the 7, 9, 11 to interchange roles more freely, becoming more difficult to defend against. This is typically done when the team has a smaller, quicker player as a 9, who is free to drop deeper to receive the ball.

1-3-4-1

1-3-4-1 Formation

Strengths

 - Strong defensive set up with 4 true midfielders
 - Width with the 2/7 and 3/11 providing options

 - 7/11 located deeper to help on the defensive side of the ball more

 - Team is able to defend with greater numbers

Weaknesses
 - If 7/10/11 are not able to support higher up the field, 9 can be isolated

 - 1 central defender can be outnumbered if 6 is unable to hold shape and be disciplined

Characteristics of positions
 - 4
  - Strong individual defender
  - Technically proficient on the ball, able to play out from the back
  - Great communicator and leader on the team
  - Able to read the game well, see when attacks are developing
  - Typically bigger player, but still need to be agile and able to change direction quickly

  - Responsible for opposite Number 9

 - 2 and 3

  - typically smaller, quicker players

  - able to defend 1v1

  - able to get forward to support play

  - capable crosser of the ball

  - Responsible for opposite number 7 and 11

 - 6

  - defensive minded midfielder

  - able to read the game extremely well and break up opposing attacks

  - very technically proficient, should be able to switch the play with ease, player longer and shorter passes
 - 10
  - in this formation, the 10 should be higher up the field to support the 9. If they are unable to, the 9 will get isolated.

  - creative player, able to take on defenders 1v1 to unbalance the opposing defending unit.
 - 7 and 11
  - Very physically fit, have to cover great distances to support defenders and attack
  - Quickness and speed is a priority
  - Players are typically smaller in size, quicker
  - Good individual defenders outside
  - Good crossers of the ball, able to pick out runners in the box

  - Responsible for opposite number 2 and 3 if team plays with 3 or 4 in back.
 - 9
  - In this formation, needs to be able to play with back to goal, bring in help
  - Technically clean, good first touch, strong on the ball
  - A true 9 is typically taller, physically imposing, who can occupy center backs of other teams

False 9 Role
- You will not see teams implement a False 9 often in this formation. If the 9 drops too deep in this formation, there is no outlet for the team to break pressure.

This formation is typically utilized against a team that may be better than us and we need more help defensively, or when protecting a lead late in the game.

1-3-1-4

1-3-1-4 Formation

This formation should be utilized when we are clearly the superior team and can push more numbers forward, or when needing a goal. Not a strong defensive set up through the middle. If wanting to play out of the back in this formation, need players in the back 3 who are very strong on the ball.

Strengths

 - Strong attacking set up with 4 true attacking players
 - Width provided by the 2/3

 - 7/11 located high as additional forwards

 - Team should press extremely high on the field

 - allows for more creativity in movement in attacking 3rd from 7/10/11/9

Weaknesses
 - Weak defensively, particularly in the center of the field.

 - 1 central defender can be outnumbered if 6 is unable to hold shape and be disciplined

 - should only use this formation when we are clearly the superior team and can push more numbers forward, or when needing a goal. 

Characteristics of positions
 - 4
  - Very Strong individual defender
  - Technically proficient on the ball, able to play out from the back
  - Great communicator and leader on the team
  - Able to read the game well, see when attacks are developing
  - Typically bigger player, but still need to be agile and able to change direction quickly

  - Responsible for opposite Number 9

 - 2 and 3

  - typically smaller, quicker players

  - strong 1v1 defenders

  - must be able to get forward to support play

  - capable crosser of the ball

  - Responsible for opposite number 7 and 11

 - 6

  - defensive minded midfielder

  - able to read the game extremely well and break up opposing attacks

  - very technically proficient, should be able to switch the play with ease, player longer and shorter passes
 - 10
  - in this formation, the 10 should be higher up the field to support the 9

  - creative player, able to take on defenders 1v1 to unbalance the opposing defending unit.

  - able to link up with the 9 to play as 2 CF.
 - 7 and 11  
  - Very physically fit, have to cover great distances to support defenders if necessary
  - Quickness and speed is a priority
  - Players are typically smaller in size, quicker
  - Good individual defenders outside

  - Responsible for opposite number 2 and 3 if team plays with 3 or 4 in back.
 - 9
  - In this formation, needs to be able stretch the game and be creative with movement
  - Technically clean, good first touch, strong on the ball
  - A true 9 is typically taller, physically imposing, who can occupy center backs of other teams

False 9 Role
- You will see teams implement a False 9 more often in this formation as the 9 and 10 interchange roles. With 2 center forwards, one is allowed to drop deeper to receive the ball.