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An example of a five-numbered formation would be 4–1–2–1–2, where the midfield consists of a defensive midfielder, two central midfielders and an offensive midfielder this is sometimes considered to be a kind of 4–4–2 (specifically a 4–4–2 diamond, referring to the lozenge shape formed by the four midfielders). A common example is 4–2–1–3, where the midfielders are split into two defensive and one offensive player as such, this formation can be considered a type of 4–3–3. In many modern formations, this is not the case, which has led to some analysts splitting the categories in two separate bands, leading to four- or even five-numbered formations. Traditionally, those within the same category (for example the four midfielders in a 4–4–2) would generally play as a fairly flat line across the pitch, with those out wide often playing in a slightly more advanced position. For example, 4–4–2 means four defenders, four midfielders, and two forwards. 3.4 4–3–2–1 (the "Christmas tree" formation)įormations are described by categorising the players (not including the goalkeeper) according to their positioning along (not across) the pitch, with the more defensive players given first.In the early days of football, most team members would play in attacking roles, whereas modern formations almost always have more defenders than forwards. Formations need to be chosen bearing in mind which types of players are available.
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Skill and discipline on behalf of the players is necessary to effectively implement a given formation in professional football. The choice of formation is normally made by a team's manager or head coach. Different formations can be used depending on whether a team wishes to play more attacking or defensive football, and a team may switch formations between or during games for tactical reasons. For example, the popular "4–5–1" formation has four defenders, five midfielders, and a single forward. The format of a formation describes a sequence ranging from furthest to nearest the opponents goal, where each number in the sequence tells how many players are playing in parallell (that is, next to each other) in every step of the sequence. A player's position in a formation typically defines whether a player has a mostly defensive or attacking role, and whether they tend to play centrally or towards one side of the pitch.įormations are described by three or four numbers in order to denote how many players are in each row of the formation, from the most defensive to the most advanced. As association football is a fluid and fast-moving game, a player's position (with the exception of the goalkeeper) in a formation does not define their role as tightly as for, for instance, a rugby player, nor are there sequences in play where the players must line up in formation (as in gridiron football). In association football, the formation constitutes how players in a team approximately position themselves in relation to each other on a pitch. The players are arranged in 2–3–5 formation. Programme for an 1887 game between Blackburn Rovers and Sheffield Wednesday.
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