What kind of lineup?

[KHSOldSchool]

So, we talk about teams, players, coaches, etc. But we hardly talk about strategy. What are your thoughts on a certain lineup?

I'm partial to a 4-4-2, but what are teams running these days...since it's been a while for me and my HS playing days. 4-4-2 provides more of a base for team defense, but it allows for a quick transition into the attack (counter attack). Do you like to load the top in a 3-4-3 or play even more conservative in a 4-5-1 or load the midfield in a 3-5-2.

Just something to spark conversation. Open the mind and let if flow.

[KHSnewschool]

3-5-1 can be attacking as well, it allows for a strong central defense and attacking from the flanks with speed and movement...KHS used it in the early 00's to terrorize the district when they won three straight regular season titles...only GHS beat them or tied them from my memory during that time...

[Number 11]

Of course 4-4-2 is the most overwhelmingly used these days, but I've always been a fan of 3-5-2. It can be extremely dynamic, though it requires two speedy wingers to work. It can go from an absolute shell, 5-3-2, to an attack heavy, wing oriented 3-5-2 with the two outside mids pressing up. D.C. used to use it when their roster was fit for it- very attractive soccer as long as you have a solid center back.

[soccaplayer]

I also like the 3-5-2 the best, but teams play 4-4-2 with a stopper and that basically is the same thing. Hardely any teams play a flat four in the back mostly because everyone wants to push up and score. I rather have a 3-2 game then a 1-0 anyday

[KG123]

i like the 3-4-3, its more of an offensively-minded lineup.
and i like offense

[Beach District est 1976]

I also like the 3-5-2 the best, but teams play 4-4-2 with a stopper and that basically is the same thing. Hardely any teams play a flat four in the back mostly because everyone wants to push up and score. I rather have a 3-2 game then a 1-0 anyday

You see that formation alot on the southside and in the college level.

[mhswizard]

MHS plays with a sweeper and thats what works, including our sweeper is very physical and gets the job done if it gets past the rest of the defense. But we changed out set up a couple of times for differnt teams, knowing that we might need one extra person running up there with them. But its coaches decsion and the players just do as they are told.

[Number 11]

I agree that having a sweeper is almost always the best way to run a formation. However, if a defense has a strong line with two agressive centerbacks, then having a sweeper is kind of a wasted man. I'm a big fan of having a CDM that kind of floats around from box to midfield, acting as a defender while also helping send good balls out to the wings.

[KHSOldSchool]

It all depends on what personnel you have at your disposal or use. If you have speed in the back, then a flat back four may work to your advantage. Especially if the players can read the game and get invovled with the attack. If you're slow and can read the game, then maybe a sweeper is more suitable to offset opposing player's speed.

It's all relative. I personally like the flat three or four. The higher level you play, the more you see those types of defensive lineups. As far as midfield and forwards, again it depends on personnel, size of the field, experiences, etc. In the PD it's hard pressed to play much of a 3-5-2 with such small fields.

Anyway, hopefully things will change and more games will be played at the Hampton Soccer complex on Old Buckroe road. That will invite more creative play and better lineups.

[Barcaboy17]

i have never heard of a flat 3 usually when you play 3-5-2 you have a sweeper and a holding midfielder i like the 4-5-1 with with 3 center mids with one that holds and one that plays off the foreward and with one that can just roam around and be there when help is needed

[Dykstra]

Kellam used a 3-5-2 last year with flat 3 in the back. Only true way to be organized with only 3 defenders is to cover for each other in the back.

[Number 11]

Well, oftentimes with a three defender formation, there's a d-mid that hangs back a considerable amount of time during the game. He may not be back there all the time, but enough so that the D can quickly have numbers if they need to have more bodies back.

[Barcaboy17]

we played kellam in garvery i think and if i remember correctly they had athe cneter back sit much deeper then the other two backs

[Dykstra]

He would sit back but he also marked up when a player with the ball came into his area the other two backs would drop behind. Didn't have one designated defensive mid either. Garvey tourney is also early in the season as they were still organizing themselves.

[Boca]

Have any of you ever heard of the Christmas tree formation? It looks like an arrow, couldn't get it to look that way on this post. It was very popular years ago, after the WM formation used by England. AC Milan makes a meal out of it. It can be considered to be a 4-5-1 but the two top forwards play in, not wide. The trunk of the tree would be the keeper and the keeper acts as a sweeper. It works very well if you have technically gifted players up top and fast wings as outside mids. It’s a very good formation to use if you have two good mids that can cross the ball accurately (left and right) and if the top three can finish with their heads, volly’s and half volly's and the pull back. When the defense wises up you can then shift your attack streight down the middle, using wall passes, give and goes, and one touch passing; with an accasional soft drop pass from the top forward to an on-coming mid. The back four play flat, utilizing the offside trap. The whole team shifts up and down the pitch - together - leaving no gaps between lines...The line of confrontation is usally at the top of the circle, on the other teams half.


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[Barcaboy17]

its basically like mine except i have one free player while you have two mids designated to attack and one holding with two wide players

[Beach District est 1976]

Kellam used a 3-5-2 last year with flat 3 in the back. Only true way to be organized with only 3 defenders is to cover for each other in the back.

I don't think so. Their center back was a little deeper than the outside backs.

we played kellam in garvery i think and if i remember correctly they had athe cneter back sit much deeper then the other two backs

You're correct. Their defensive mid was more like a stopper as well and their central back was more like a sweeper.