9 a side

[James Buckley]

We're in a 9 a side competition this weekend what do ye think is best formation 3-3-2 or 3-2-3?

[ian.curry]

I would play 3-3-2, with 2 at the back and a sweeper. Similar to the below.

---x---x----

x----x-----x

-----x------

--x-----x---

----gk------

As another option I would also try 3-2-3, with the wide players joining in attack - a la Chelski recently when Duff or Robben joined the attack.

-----x-------
-x-------x---

---x---x-----

-x---x---x---

----gk-------

[Jerzy]

Kind of depends on your players... I play a sweeper system mostly, so I like Ian's 3-3-2 formation, but I must have a different idea of the sweeper, because my sweeper is the Y

.....x......x

..x.....x.....x

.....x......x

........y

.......GK

If I don't have a player dominant enough to be a sweeper, then I'd try a straight 3-3-2, but two years ago, I didn't have really any kids who liked or cared about defending, as much as a I tried, so with our 9v9 league, I went 2-3-3. Not what I would have wanted, and we had way too many 4-6 shootouts (and we all of them once I made the switch) but that was the team and I played to their strengths...

[James Buckley]

Thanks guys,
I went 3-3-2 which worked well and was easy for the boys to follow as we normaly play 11 a side competions. In 11 a side I like 4-3-3 and it works well for our team but in 9 a side I found with only 2 forwards they lacked good understanding of how to work together and they didnt create a lot despite us dominating all the games we played. Anyone got any ideas on how to get 2 forwards working well as we have progressed in the 9 a side competion and play another round of games this weekend.

[Jerzy]

They probably just need some time to get used to playing 2 up top as opposed to 3. I don't know that I'd worry about it over much. Or if your team is as dominant as you say, why not go a 3-2-3. You'll be weak in midfield, but use that as a training tool for working with your forwards on the importance of tracking back. Since they've got numbers up top, they should be able to be especially aggressive attacking the opposing defenders when they get the ball.

[James Buckley]

Well we played our final round of games in the 9 a side competition on Sunday last and despite winning 3 and losing 1 we didnt make it to the next round so that ends our 9 a side interests for this season we stayed with the 3-3-2 and scored a few good goals but as is often the case in football 1 goal cost us a place in the next round. So its back to 11 a side this week 4-3-3 here we go!!
Thanks for the input we have a league and Cup Competion still to finish so I'll be in touch.

Thanks again