Football/Soccer Session (Academy Sessions): 1-4-1-4-1 formation

1-4-1-4-1 (60 mins)

Position: Goalkeeper

The most defensive position in soccer

Main job to stop opposition goals

Also organises the defence and builds play from the back

Position: Full-back (2) (3)

Lines up either side of the defence

Marks opposition wingers

Provides support for the wide midfielder ahead of them

May overlap and send crosses into the opposition box

Often takes throw-ins

Position: Centre-back (stopper) (5) (6)

Shuts down opposition attackers

May employ zonal or man-marking strategies

Brings the ball out from the back

Often tall and physically strong

Brave and strong in the air, capable of winning headers in either box

Position: Defensive midfielder (ball-winner) (4)

Sits in front of the defence

Wins the ball back with tackles and interceptions

Covers teammates when they go forward

Harries opposition attackers

Physically fit and tenacious

Position: Defensive midfielder (deep-lying playmaker) (4)

Sits in front of the defence

Creative playmaker from deep

Distributes to teammates, near and far

Sets the team’s tempo

Capable of tackling, though a secondary task

Position: Box-to-box midfielder (8)

Lines up in the middle of the pitch

Equally adept at attacking and defending

Maintains possession

Tracks back to tackle and block shots

Breaks into the opponent’s box and tries to score

Position: Attacking midfielder (10)

Dictates play from behind the strikers

Creates goalscoring chances for the attackers

Usually very technically capable and creative

Ability to shoot from range an advantage

Position: Winger (7) (11)

The widest attacking player

Takes on opposition defenders

Provides crosses into the box

Meets crosses from the opposite wing

Often the fastest player on the field

Position: Striker (9)

Closest player to the opponent’s goal

Responsible for scoring goals

Holds the ball up until teammates can join the attack

Makes opposition defenders work hard in possession

Physically strong