[Professor B]

Greetings coaches!

Here in Buchanan County, VA we are getting ready to start our first season ever of youth soccer.

I am coaching a group of u-16 players, some of whom have never played before.

The main question I have for you experienced coaches is what sort of formation I should use for games. We will be playing 7v7.

I was thinking of playing a 2-3-1.

What do you think would be best? Both in terms of results and in terms of ease of the kids ability to understand the system.

Professor B

[IASocFan]

I've coached 7v7 - with younger kids. I used more of a 2-1-2-1 with my strongest player usually playing dmid or the bottom of the diamond. If U8 and U10 could figure it out, I'm sure U16 can. The wings were told to stay on their side(left or right), the forward ahead of the ball, and the two defenders don't let the ball the past them. The dmid usually starts the attack and is the key linking player and communicator.

[negativetouch]

I've ended up with a 2-3-1 as standard for my U10 girls. Numbers in attack is never a problem and they stayin position well enough that we win most balls in the midfield.
The only thing I don't like is not having a central defender because sometimes the two backs will look at each otherrolls donw the middle.

[dolphinscoach]

You mention that some have not played before. How many have played? And of those who are newbies, how familiar are they with the sport? How big is the field (i.e., is it necessary to have three lines)?

Depending on the answers, you may need to take a couple of things into account as you try formations. First, if you have new players, you may want to limit their responsibilities on the field at first. Put them at forward and tell them to go at goal, on defense and tell them to clear anything, etc. I played in an IM-type tourney in college with some guys who had never played, and they were overwhelmed by the game and nervous about making mistakes. When they were given only a couple of responsibilities, they did much better. Then we helped them improve during the season, gradually adding to what they did on the field. For example, in the first match, the newbie defenders cleared everything; next came clearing to an area; and by season's end, passing the ball out.

Second, since you may not have figured out where everyone should play, you may have to switch people around to see where they fit. Again, you don't want to overwhelm or confuse them, so you will want to limit the responsibilities of positions.

I suggest starting with four forwards, two defenders and a keeper. If you are trying people out and/or rotating, always have a solid defender to help out the new guy. (This is less of a worry for forwards.) You can subtly modify this by having one of the forwards withdraw and act as a midfielder, have a wing make diagonal runs across field, etc.

Good luck.

[Mr Martin]

The 2-1-2-1 mentioned above is very common. Another way to think about it is as a diamond shape with two supporting defenders behind it.

In fact, if you count the goalkeeper supporting the two defenders, it can look like a double diamond. The diamond ideas come from classic 4v4 training.

Check out the following link for some discussion:

http://www.bettersoccermorefun.com/dwtext/comments.htm

In fact, spend some time on the bettersoccermorefun web site for lots of great ideas for teaching the game. The formation is just a small part of the puzzle, and is much less important than teaching individual skills and certain key concepts like pressure/cover/balance, movement, space, and support in relation to teammates and the ball.

Good luck!

[Professor B]

Thanks for all the advice. Thigs are going relatively well here in Buchanan County, although we've had to end up playing 5v5 or 6v6 most weeks.

Thanks again.

Professor B