In high level college soccer, and both teams being the same (both high skill level) how would you go about playing against a 442 (more like 4-2-1-2-1) like this: ......X ....X..X ......X ....X..X X..X..X...X the 4 backs play zonally and the 2 outside backs almost act as outside mids and make many runs forward. The formation sends 8 forward into the attacks and leave the 2 central backs around midfield when they have possesion in the opponents offensive 1/3. How (tactically and formation wise) and any other way go about playing against a formation like this? thanks.
Without knowing a single thing about individual players, it's hard to say. But formationally, it seems this is desinged to draw you into the middle of the field, while still trying to put pressure on the flanks. So, this would be my first guess... ...Z..Z..Z... .......X....... ......-Z-..... .|..X...X..|. .Z....Z....Z. .|....X.....|. .......Z...... ....X....X.... |...Z...Z...| .X..X..X..X. Against any 4-4-2 that likes to get it's outside backs involved in the offense, you may want to consider a 5 man midfield, this incorporates the same concept, with the extra attackers being positioned much further upfield. All else being roughly equal this should keep those outside backs as far away from your endline as possible, while still adequately defending the center. If that's too aggressive for you, you may consider... ..Z...Z...Z.. ...-Z--Z-... .|...........|. .Z....Z....Z. .|...........|. ....Z...Z..... Or if you feel you're slightly overmatched... ..Z..Z.Z..Z.. ...-Z-.-Z-... .Z...........Z. .|.....Z.....|. .......Z........ In the real world, it's too hard to tell without more information though... Usual team formations, player strength/weakness, etc. EDIT: Sorry 'bout that... there you go...
The team facing the 442 normally plays a 3-5-2 like so with 1 attacking mids and 2 "holding" mids and two markers and a deepers "sweeper" like so: ...X..X X...X...X ...X..X ...X..X .....X Now the 2 backs in front of the "sweeper" are straight up man markers 100% of the time. There is usually man marking across most of the field. Is there any way to play against the 4-4-2 like shown while still man marking, confusion was obvious with 8 players being sent forward.
(Just for my edification...) ............-X-............ ....../X.\.|./.X\...... ..../...|...X...|...\.... |.XX..|..\./..|..XX.| |.....X|...||...|X.....| |.......|....X...|.......| |.......X...X...X.......| |.......X........X.......| X.......X.......X.......X Approximately what's happening here, yes? So, it's obvious where the opposing strenghts lie (in collecting and moving defenders), and where 'your' weaknesses are. I love playing with formations, but it's late. I'll mull it over, and return with some ideas later today... (First thing that pops to mind is to note that this is really a 4-3-3 or a modified 4-5-1 with attacking wings you're up against.......and for some reason that damn sweeper bothers me, but I'll leave that for later too... )
Our 3-5-2 is coached so two of the backs are markers and the center back is told to play with depth and not mark anyone. So how would the marking work out if 2 of the backs had to mark the opposing 442's 2 farthest players forward. The opposing strengths are gaining/controlling possesion in the middle of the field. Our main strength is speed, as we out hustle/work, and flat out run by other teams, while our skill is still high and usually equal to good teams as well so we rely on our speed. We have never faced a system like this 4-2-1-2-1 and were pretty lost (looked helpless) b/c we are used to usually man marking 1v1 all over the field with the exception of our center back and knowing where our man is at all times. Is it possible to defend the 4-2-1-2-1 while still man marking? hope this helps and thanks for your input so far
This deforms your midfield and your centerbacks are going to get pulled wide if the other team's smart. .............sw............. ......D......X......D...... ......X..............X...... .......dm..X.dm....... .rm....X.am.X.....lm.. ..|.......................|.. ..|.....F.........F.....|.. ..|.......................|.. ..X.....X........X.....X.. This relies on the sweeper marking out the opposing AM, can he do this? ............................. .........D....XD.......... ......X.....sw.....X..... ..rm..dm..X..dm..lm.. ..|.......X.am.X.....|.. ..|.......................|.. ..|.....F.........F.....|.. ..|.......................|.. ..X.....X........X.....X.. Either way, your AM has to play some D, even if he needs help from a wide midfielder... If you rely so heavily on man-marking, everyone's got to do it. And against an 8 man attack, that includes the 'sweeper'. Of course, if you had the majority of possession, and kept a few of those 'attackers' in their own end, that would make most of your problem go away. Unless you're completely overmatched physically, I would concentrate on ways to attack it, rather than defend it. Rum 'em up and down the flanks, make the matchup problems theirs, make them change their shape, pull them out wide... There has to be some individual matchup you can exploit. Do something, but YOU dictate. Let THEM adapt...That always works best.