formations

[gaz]

i was just woudering what formations u all use for the 7-a-side teams.
i am using a 2-3-1 (U9`s) at the moment so r a lot of the teams in the local league.was considering going to a 2-2-2 but still not sure i think i have the lads to do this especially in the middle as i have 2 midfielders that will run thier socks off all day long.

just wanted to get some feed back from others any advice is most welcome.


cheers gaz

[ian.curry]

I almost always used 2-3-1 also, except for when we very first started out when I used 3-2-1.

I think it is not which formation you use, but how you use it. Obviously rotating kids is a good idea, but if you are planning on developing certain players in a couple of positions then you need to stick to certain roles.

A brave lad in the middle, who can win headers, control the ball, tackle and make good attacking plays is ideal. An out and out striker, or a couple of players who can score is vital for playing 1 up front.

The other 4 positions, cb's and wingers, can pretty much overlap each other. Clearly there are some very small lads who will get battered in defence, but generally defenders will enjoy having a go on the wing - as it lets them join the attack, and wingers will learn a lot about tracking back with playing some games in defence.

I don't really see the need for 2 up front, one winger will almost always be up there with him, or he should be confident enough to beat the last remaining defender and score too.

[Val]

I like change, especially if you have the same kids returning year from year. It is almost gospel that you fit your formation to the strengths of your kids, and how are you going to know how your kids handle that if you don't try something new? I like lots of attackers and if I was coaching full sided, my ideal formation is a 4-3-3 so I'm biased this way.

[gaz]

cheers for your replys tried 2-2-2 today in a tourny worked ok 1 or 2 teethin problems but i think with a few more weeks tryin it it may work out for the lads.

[Jerzy]

I agree that you should try it out for a few more weeks. Your players have to have the time to adjust to where they are in relation to their teammates. What was it that made you want to switch in the first place?

[gaz]

Originally Posted by Jerzy

I agree that you should try it out for a few more weeks. Your players have to have the time to adjust to where they are in relation to their teammates. What was it that made you want to switch in the first place?

i have two kids that are great upfront but not so good in the middle and i have two lads at the back which have been excellent so far in this summer league and the two in the middle have been playing together for a few years now (not with me with the previous manager) but then know now each other plays and with the 3rd midfielder in they dont seam to play the same.
Also i dont wont to loose 1 of the strikers into midfield where they dont really wont to play.

between them (10 games in )they have scored 27 goals.

[Val]

Under 9s seem a little young to pigeonhole players into set positions. The goal of player development, seems to me, is to have players who can play soccer, not players who can play striker and fullback. I'd start some selective rotating, say if you get a lead, have a striker play mid and one of your fullbacks play forward.

[gaz]

Originally Posted by Val

Under 9s seem a little young to pigeonhole players into set positions. The goal of player development, seems to me, is to have players who can play soccer, not players who can play striker and fullback. I'd start some selective rotating, say if you get a lead, have a striker play mid and one of your fullbacks play forward.

we always play two games the first for points the second to let the rest of the squad have a game.most teams in my league 18+ players.(the reason for the second game)
were as at the moment i only have 8 players due to the number of different clubs in the local area(us being the newest)
so in the second game i do play them in different positions which some of them enjoy as a change but they always wont to play back in thier normal starting positions.
when i have asked them why? they reply has that is where we always have played and are comfortable there.

[mcolwell1959]

I have been succesful with 2-3-1 in the past two season, with the two wider palyers in midfield using the space on either wing and the idfield player holding more. The forward needs to be quick and make runs down the channels to ddrag around the two opposing defenders. I would say that 2-2-2 is very much more attackbased and leads to more of a long ball game but it would depend on the strengths of the players that you have. I also think that 2-3-1 is a better foundation for progressing up to 11 a side in the future.

[Val]

Originally Posted by gaz

we always play two games the first for points the second to let the rest of the squad have a game.most teams in my league 18+ players.(the reason for the second game)
were as at the moment i only have 8 players due to the number of different clubs in the local area(us being the newest)
so in the second game i do play them in different positions which some of them enjoy as a change but they always wont to play back in thier normal starting positions.
when i have asked them why? they reply has that is where we always have played and are comfortable there.

Comfort's important. We want kids to be comfortable and operate within their comfort zone. As a teacher I see that all time with kids learning to read, we push them in first grade to read second grade books, and then in second grade we push them to read at third grade level. What about reading for fun and relaxation? Soccer ought to be the same way.

But having said that, we do run the risk of creating little forwards and defenders and not soccer players, so I like your league's approach, Gaz.