Tactics and playing systems: Explanations of football line-ups and formations

The lineups in soccer are always indicated with numbers. As a rule, they are three numbers that indicate the number of each team part. For example, the 4-3-3 gives information about the following team parts:

The system of play and the lineup in soccer are often considered synonyms by many fans and the media. However, the lineup in soccer only defines the basic order of the players on the field. A soccer team consists of 10 field players and a goalkeeper. Basically, the formation (e.g. 4-4-2, 4-2-3-1 or 4-3-3) describes the basic order against the ball. Especially in professional soccer, the described basic order changes in possession phases. For example, when playing on the opponent's goal, a 4-2-3-1 often becomes a 4-1-4-1, or a 5-3-2 often becomes a 3-4-3. The basic defensive order can also change for professionals during the course of the game. For example, a 4-4-2 can be quickly changed to a 4-5-1 by substitution or conversion in order to strengthen the midfield nominally.

A system of play assigns individual players in a team their position, playing space and tasks. In the following section, we will show you historical soccer game systems that beautifully illustrate how soccer has evolved over 100 years.

In the 1958 World Cup, Brazil played a 4-2-4 system to strengthen the defense and at the same time have enough offensive forces on the pitch. This gave the Brazilians the World Cup victory and thrilled soccer fans around the world.

The illustrated soccer game systems from the past already clearly show that the number of offensive players decreased. From originally 7 attackers on the field, to two forwards in Italian Cartenaccio. This is largely due to rule changes such as the introduction or extension of the offside rule and back-passing rules. The rule changes basically benefited the offensive players, whereupon coaches had to change or strengthen the defense.

If we look at the modern playing systems already mentioned, this trend continues. Most professional teams operate with only one central striker. Even in a modern interpretation of a 4-3-3, there is usually only one central striker. The two wingers on the flanks are part of the offense, but must actively support the team in its defensive work. In addition, there are some coaches (e.g. Josep Guardiola or Luis Enriqué) who prefer to play without a central striker. The player up front acts more as an attacking midfielder at this point and is often referred to as the "false 9." In modern soccer, the continued strengthening of the defense is not due to rule changes, but rather to the greatly improved technical, physical and athletic training of players. Soccer has become much faster and more adept compared to the 1980s. As a result, the trend toward a nominally strong defense continues.

The 4-3-3 dates back to the 1970s and is considered the "Dutch system of play". The 4-3-3 was developed by Rinus Michels, who worked as a coach at Ajax in Amsterdam in the early 1970s and established the soccer system internationally with the Dutch national team at the 1974 World Cup. To this day, the 4-3-3 is a basic formation in soccer in the Netherlands. Since the 2010s, this playing system has been seen more often internationally.

The 4-3-3 is characterized, among other things, by the three central midfielders. The midfielders have to be very variable, both offensively and defensively. The six-man in the center often plays somewhat "tilted" in front of the defense in order to close the center or to protect the center backs from offensive actions of the opponent. If the center is closed, the other two midfielders can act more offensively. Furthermore, in the 4-3-3 there are two offensive wingers and a central striker.

Because the 4-2-3-1 is played with two sixes, the buildup of play is much more variable for the back line. The back four can also play the outer midfielders in the half positions. This results in plenty of steep-clap variants and play via the third. In addition, the height of the outside defenders is very variable. The attacking midfield line must not only play an active role in the build-up to the game, but also provide a scoring threat in the opponent's penalty area. Thus, the positional play is not fixed, neither in the center nor on the wing position.

How does the 4-4-2 work? 

In a 3-4-3, there are three center backs instead of two. The midfield usually consists of two central midfielders and two wingers. The attack presents itself with two wingers and a central striker. Against the ball, the team often switches to a 5-3-2, with the two outside midfielders dropping into the defensive back three.

Many coaches face the challenge of finding the right playing system in soccer for their own team. The fact is: there is no such thing as a system of play that exclusively gives a team advantages. Successful coaches do not cling to a certain basic order, but rather design the game idea flexibly and adapt it to the strengths and weaknesses of the team. Practical example: If you have physically strong but only very slow central defenders at your disposal, you should not stand tall permanently with the team and force a general attacking pressing. The reason for this is that center backs with a moderate attack are quickly outplayed with long balls. In modern soccer, trainers should not only focus on the formation. Ultimately, it is "only" about a basic order against the ball. The game idea in soccer can look completely different with an identical formation.

Besides the right soccer system, a club also needs the right jerseys. In our 3D configurator you can easily design your own soccer jersey.