[Red Star]

I am looking for a good brief summary from a reputable source on playing with a box midfield. Something I can share with relatively knowledgeable players. Any suggestions would be extremely welcome.

[BerwynBlazers]

http://www.bigsoccer.com/forum/showt...?threadid=7358

[Red Star]

Berwyn, couldn't find any relevant information in that thread. Interesting discussion, however, it doesn't fit our available players. Your input is extremely welcome.

[gerr18]

yeah, i noticed there is nothing on the box midfield either. dont know much about it myself though...so im of no help either. sorry.

[cpwilson80]

From my limited knowledge, the box midfield is best used when you have a highly skilled midfield (I believe Brazil uses some variation of it, if not now than in the past.) You traditionally have two attacking and two defensive midfielders like such:

-------xx---------xx------

-------xx---------xx------

However, the d-mids are more skilled on the ball than a normal solo d-mid. Whereas a lone d-mid's main responsibility is stopping the attack, the d-mids in the box are more true 2-way players.

The strength of the box midfield is dominating the middle. It has the ability to overwhelm a traditional 4-4-2 and even a staggered 3-5-2 (one with 2 d-mids, a center mid and two outside mids.)

You rely upon quick strikers and overlapping defenders for width in attack. Conversely, you can get killed by a team that attacks all down the flank.

Finally, I know this is elsewhere, but :

http://www.fifa.com/Service/MR_A/43628_E.html

Click on any team and get their formation and tactical description. A great resource for you and your players

[Richie]

I am not that familiar with this, but if I recall Spain uses it or used to use it at one time.

There is no true wingers in this midfield. So since those 4 mids not spread out across the width of the field and are inside. That in and of itself creates space on the wing that anybody can use. A striker, a mid or a back especially a dribbler.

I am pretty sure the US mens national team used it in at least two friendly games, but I can't remember against whom.

That is all I really know about it, and that is not much.

Richie

[gerr18]

Yeah, I know it leaves the flank channels open for the wing backs and the strikers to use at their dispense. The 4 midfielders basically swamp the center of the pitch and overwhelm the opposing midfield...but they must be superior at handling the ball and playing very quickly(because the midfield is overloaded with players). Thats about all I can remember...thats probably why Brasil uses it, they have world class wingbacks and excellent central midfielders--attacking and defensive.

[Red Star]

Thanks for the great help. Your references to Brazil make this whole deal fall into place. We have a Brazilian who is fond of this formation.

[rags41]

We are using this formation this year in high school. This is how we set it up. 3 man back line, box mid-field 2defensive and 2 offensive, three man front line consisting of 2 wings and a center forward. It is as described by CP Wilson above. This formation will work if you have 4 strong players to play the box. Our defensive midfielders make offensive runs that make it hard to cover any one threat. I like it this year because we have four really good midfielders and great communication between them. They cover for each other very well. It is very versatile if you have the people to play it. If you have 4 good midfielders, put your 2 toughest at the defensive midfielder spots and your best passers at the offensive spots.

[Richie]

Rags said "We are using this formation this year in high school. This is how we set it up. 3 man back line, box mid-field 2defensive and 2 offensive,

Where did you see it used before you decided to use it yourself? This part confuses me the way you use it. "three man front line consisting of 2 wings and a center forward."

Doesn't that kill your flank space that you want to keep open? I thought the two outside strikers play more withdrawn then the center player, and not far enough out to kill the flank unless one of them uses it when they has the ball.

Also if one of your wing strikers lose the ball. How does the box midfield stop an attack behind your wing striker on the ball side flank? If "Our defensive midfielders make offensive runs." Would that attack on winning the ball be behind your strikers and possible one or two of your midfielders the ones making the runs. So you only have 2 mids maybe, to stop the attack before it reachers your backs.

At those times even if your offensive mids just stay back in support and don't attack other then make passes are 2 mids enough to stop that kind of attack before it reaches your backs?

Richie