4-2-3-1 SOCCER FORMATION

This formation can be very successful if all players do their part on the soccer
field and cover their zone in defense as shown in the picture below.

4-2-3-1 system of play can be used against most other soccer formations and
the strength of this formation lies in the midfield and overlapping outside
defenders (RB & LB).

The formation is designed to out-number the opposition in midfield, but have

enough flexibility to support both the defense and offense quickly and
effectively.

Weakness for this formation in soccer comes from three attacking midfield
players forgetting that they have to defend and slacking off when transitioning
on defense.

The 4-2-3-1 soccer formation is played with players marking the zone in blue.

Focus on defending the goal by playing zone defense with every player on the
field marking their zone where communication will be the key in doing so.

The only player having any freedom when defending is the Forward player.
 DEFENSIVE PLAYERS

The back line of 4-2-3-1 soccer formation will be composed of 2 Center Backs
and 2 Outside Backs (RB & LB).

The center backs should have the ability to read the game well and stop players
in 1v1 situations.

Communication will ensure that all empty space is covered and that they are
leading the defense by telling players in front of them where to position
themselves and what players to mark.

Communication will also ensure that players step up in sync when attempting
offside traps.

Back line can be quickly converted into an even more defensive formation by
playing with a Sweeper role, meaning one CB playing 5 - 10 YDS/M behind the
other CB.
Sweeper will be the player that reads the game better than other players and
he will have the advantage of doubling up on any player or reading the play and
positioning himself better since he is positioned behind the defensive line.

Outside Back (RB & LB) positions in this system of play will usually be occupied
by players that are short, agile and very quick with good ball handling skills.

Outside Backs will need to be in exceptional conditioning shape because they

will run deep into offense providing support for the attack than tracking back to
defend when the ball possession changes.

Defense in this soccer formation will have two Defensive Midfielders in front of
them taking much pressure off by providing support.

Right Outside Back (#2)

Responsibilities

Offense

 Stay wide – “chalk on boots” (stick close to touchlines when team has
possession)
 Play ball through #8/RDM (Right Defensive Midfield and #7/RAM (Right
Attacking Midfield)
 Overlap, overlap, overlap
  Take the ball to end line and cross into #9/CF (Central Forward) or cut
back to offensive midfielders

Defense

 Mark wingers from other team

 Force play wide towards sideline and prevent crosses from coming in
 Pinch close into #4/RCB (Right Center Back) when team loses possession

Right Outside Back Area of Responsibility (#2): Get wide and overlap,
force play wide on defense
Left Outside Back (#3)

Responsibilities

Offense

 Stay wide – “chalk on boots” (stick close to touchlines when team has
possession)
 Play ball through #6/LDM (Left Defensive Midfield) and #11/LAM (Left
Attacking Midfield
 Overlap, overlap, overlap
 Take the ball to end line and cross into #9/CF (Central Forward) or cut
back to offensive midfielders

Defense

 Mark wingers from other team

 Force play wide towards sideline and prevent crosses from coming in
 Pinch close into #5/LCB (Left Center Back) when team loses possession
Left Outside Back Area of Responsibility (#3): Get wide and overlap,
force play wide on defense
Central Defense (#4 and #5)

Responsibilities

Offense

 Play the ball wide to #3/LB (Left Back) and #2/RB (Right Back)
 Play ball through #6 and #8 (Holding Midfielders)
 Support midfield to maintain possession
 Get to comers of the 18 yard box to begin play from the back
Defense

 Mark central strikers from other team

 Win tackles and headers
 Use the goal keeper to keep possession
Central Defenders Area of Responsibility (#4 and #5): Stay central and
organized, force play wide
 MIDFIELD PLAYERS

4-2-3-1 system of play midfield is composed of 2 Center Defensive Midfield

players and 3 Attacking Midfield Players.

The 2 Defensive Midfield players are the ones that hold the midfield disrupting
the opponents attacks and also act as connecting or starting point of their team
attacks.

These 2 players will be the backbone of defense and they will need to be
DESTROYERS on the team, not afraid to tackle hard and go for dead balls.

Defensive Midfield players will want to have the ability to win headers and
defend in 1v1 situations. They will also need to read the game very well.

Defensive Midfield players will need solid passing skills and the ability to stay
calm when the ball is passed to them because they will act as connectors
between defense and attack.

Their job is to protect the defense and stop the attack before it reaches the
Center Backs.

4-2-3-1 formation in soccer will play with 3 Attacking Midfielders that will have
to constantly join the attack helping the Forward and then quickly transition
back on defense when the ball changes possession.

Attacking Midfielders will position themselves into Center Attacking, Left

Attacking and Right Attacking Midfield players.

Right and Left Attacking Midfield players will want to spread the game down the
sidelines.

These players will have to be in top conditioning shape because of constantly

running forward to support the attack than running back to support the defense.

Because of solid defense behind the Attacking Midfielders, they will have the
freedom of always joining the attack.

Attacking Midfield Players will have great vision of the field spotting their
teammate runs, ability to read the game very well, great ball control,
exceptional passing and quick decision making skills.

These players will also need to know how to score goals because they will be
used as attacking force along with the lone forward.

Players suited for this position will often be the ones that get most touches on
the ball during practice.

This player will want the ball most out of everyone else on the field and will
somehow find the space to receive the ball most during practice.

Having a good shot from distance and playing with both feet is a big plus.

Players in this soccer position will move from their own penalty box to their
opponent’s penalty box.

The picture above shows the most important zone that each position in midfield
covers.

Defensive Midfield players will not want to be more than 20 YDS/M away from
the Attacking Midfield line when defending.

Deeper Defensive Midfield goes back when defending, Attacking Midfield will
follow.

Attacking Midfield will run from one penalty box to another.

Central Attacking Midfielder (#10)

Responsibilities

Offense

 Setup goals with passing

 Play the ball out to #11/LAM (Left Attacking Midfield) and #7/RAM (Right
Attacking Midfield)
 Play give and go’s with #9/CF (Central Forward)
 Play through balls between defenders for #9/CF (Central Forward),
#11/LAM (Left Attacking Midfield) and #7/RAM (Right Attacking Midfield)
 Use #6/LDM (Left Defensive Midfield) and #8/RDM (Right Defensive
midfield) to maintain possession when receiving ball with back to goal
Defense

 Pressure defensive midfielder when he has the ball

 Drop centrally to clog middle and force ball out wide

Central Attacking Mid Area of Responsibility (#10): Support

defensively but focus on offense
Left Attacking Midfield (#11)

Responsibilities

Offense

 Stay pinched in closer to the middle and get into attack when ball moves
forward
 Play the ball out wide to overlapping #3/LB (Left Outside Back)
 Play give and go’s with #9/CF (Central Forward) and #10/CAM (Central
Attacking Midfield)
 Play through balls between defenders for #9/CF (Central Forward) and
#10/CAM (Central Attacking Midfield)
 Cut in on right foot to take shots at goal

Defense

 Pressure outside defensive back when he has the ball

 Force the ball wide towards the sidelines
 Cover defensively for #3/LB (Left Outside Back) when he goes forward on
overlapping run
Left Attacking Midfield Area of Responsibility (#11): Stay pinched in,
support Central Striker attack
Right Attacking Midfield (#7)

Responsibilities

Offense

 Stay pinched in closer to the middle and get into attack when ball moves
forward
 Play the ball out wide to overlapping #2/RB (Right Outside Back)
 Play give and go’s with #9/CF (Central Forward) and #10/CAM (Central
Attacking Midfield)
 Play through balls between defenders for #9/CF Central Forward) and
#10/CAM (Central Attacking Midfield)
 Cut in on right foot to take shots at goal

Defense

 Pressure outside defensive back when he has the ball

 Force the ball wide towards the sidelines
 Cover defensively for #2/RB (Right Outside Back) when he goes forward
on overlapping run
Left Attacking Midfield Area of Responsibility (#7): Stay pinched in,
support Central Striker attack
Left Holding Midfield (#6)

Responsibilities

Offense

 Play the ball wide to #3/LB (Left Outside Back) on overlaps

 Play give and go’s with #11/LAM (Left Attacking Midfield) and #10/CAM
(Central Attacking Midfield)
 Play ball over the top to #9/CF (Center Forward)

Defense

 Cut off passing lanes from opposition midfield to forward

 Close down space on opposition offensive midfielders
 Stay in from of defensive support
 Drop into middle between #5/LCB (Left Center Back) and #4/RCB (Right
Center Back) when the spread wide to play the ball out of the back
Left Holding Midfield Area of Responsibility (#6): Stay central in front
of defenders, win the ball
Right Holding Midfield (#8)

Responsibilities

Offense

 Play the ball wide to #2/RB (Right Outside Back) on overlaps

 Play give and go’s with #11/LAM (Left Attacking Midfield) and #10/CAM
(Central Attacking Midfield)
 Play ball over the top to #9/CF (Center Forward)

Defense

 Cut off passing lanes from opposition midfield to forward

 Close down space on opposition offensive midfielders
 Stay in from of defensive support
 Drop into middle between #5/LCB (Left Center Back) and #4/RCB (Right
Center Back) when the spread wide to play the ball out of the back
Right Holding Midfield Area of Responsibility (#8): Stay central in front
of defenders, win the ball
 ATTACKING PLAYER

Although this formation appears as if there was only one Forward, that is not
the case because of constant Attacking Midfielders joining the attack and
becoming Forwards.

Suddenly 1 lone attacker turns into 4 strikers.

The Center Forward position in this 4-2-3-1 soccer formation is preferred to be

tall and strong point man that can win the ball in the air and shield it until help
arrives.

This Forward will be clinical finisher with the ability to score from rare
opportunities.
Center Forward/Striker (#9)

Responsibilities

Offense

 Score goals
 Hold the ball with back to goal and pass to attacking midfielders
 Play give and go’s with the supporting players
 Make runs between defenders for through balls from attacking midfielders

Defense

 Pressure defenders with the ball

 Force play to one side of the field to make it easier to defend in the
offensive half
Central Sticker Area of Responsibility (#9): High up the field, usually in
the middle