Formations & Tactics shapes and statistics

[Adel Gamal]

This time I'll talk about the Formations & Tactics shapes and statistics which is too much and main thread must be here also in this new forum as it was before in the old forum; I'll try to make the add as I can and try to copy the important things relating to this matter let's start :

Section 1

Heavy Defensive and Defensive Formations

Catenaccio

Catenaccio form and tactic was originally invated back in 1930's by Switzerland's Austrian coach, Karl Rappan.
Rappan's kainotomy waw the use of what we call today "sweeper defender". A defender between his DC's and the Keeper, who's main goal was to recover any loose ball and clear the danger from his area.

Since then, Catenaccio has been edited by several managers in order to fit their squad.

Triestina although being heavy underdog, managed using Catenaccio to finish as a runner-up of the Italian Serie A in 1947.

Talented Italian side, managed to beat strong Germany side in 1982's World Cup Final, using an alternative formation of Catenaccio, called Zona Mista (pic.1).

Several other underdogs have manage to pick-up a good result against a stronger opposition using a Catenaccio form.

Although Catenaccio is considered to be a non-modern approach to the game as it's based on heavy defending, man-mark and counter-attack, many teams with less skilled squad have managed some uprisings, like Greece, which managed to lift the Euro trophy in 2004.

My opinion : It's unusual formation but I face it two times and always i find too much difficulty in winning against it whatever the quality (It's effective in defensing).

5-3-2

5-3-2 formation, with one sweeper defender, two central defenders, a left and right wing back, three central midfielders and two strikers, is an extremely defensive tactic, based on man-marking and counter attack style. It provides your team with wide defence cover area and lots of triangles in order to keep some possession with short passes and hit on the break by motivating the form into 3-4-1-2, using red arrows on WBR\L and the central MC.

My opinion : If you faced a too much attacking formation and too much stronger team and want not to lose too much try this you may draw it's heavy defensive.

4-5-1

4-5-1 is an essentially defensive formation based on zonal marking and counter attack style. It's ideal when your main goal is to grab a draw or defend a lead score. De fence is a classic DL-DC-DC-DR strait line. Same happens to the midfield line using three MCs and a ML and MR. Using red arrows on ML and MR you can motivate your 4-5-1 into a 4-3-3 and hit the opposition on the counter-attack.

5-4-1

n 5-4-1 the approach in the game is the same as in 4-5-1, but using red arrows on your your AMR\L, you get a motivated 4-3-3 attacking form, with two more players to support the lone striker from the flanks while WBR\L prevents opponent's wide midfielders to hit back on the counter attack of yours.

4-6-0 (The Striker less formation)

As far as I know game does not allow Keeper less or Striker less formations, but have these formation in mind too.
Striker less formations can be found in several forms. Some are extremely defensive using a classic defensive strait line of DL-DR and two DCs, two DMCs and four MCs. Others remove the central MC and move him forward as an AMC. The most common form is when using four defenders in strait line, three MCs and pressing upper on the field with an AMC and AMR\L. In order to success using such a formation, you need a very competitive defense, strong midfielders and attacking midfielders with great pace, as you hit on the counter-attack by pressing only in your half. This strategic allows you to drag your opponent deep in your side of the field and hit him on the break.


Formation solutions when have a banned player or unable to make more subs

Using the hard tackle order can be useful sometimes, especially when dealing with stronger oppositions. But is also risky as a ban can occur. Sometimes an injury comes up while you can not make more subs. So, when the draw is an option for your side or you want to keep the leading score, you can motivate your formation into a 4-4-1 or 5-3-1, normal mentality formation with and strait lines and counter attack style in order to achive your target.

When draw or defeat is not an option, a risky 4-3-2 or 4-2-3 attacking mentality formation with strait lines and a hardworking midfield may upset your opponent.

[Adel Gamal]

Wait the 2nd section

[Adel Gamal]

Section 2

Midfield based squads

3-5-2

3-5-2 formation originally used by Argentina's favorite, Carlos Billardo in 1986 World Cup clashes. Like all midfield based tactics, the main goal of this formation is to hold ball possession at the center of the pitch. 3-5-2 formation can effectively provide many scoring chances especially if you put pressure at whole pitch but aware that there will be a gap at your flanks. In order to fix that problem, you need to employ WBR\L with great pace and defending skills to replace the AMR\L. In a more risky edition 3-5-2 can be played with man-marking or the offside trap when using zonal marking. Fast and effective defenders are required in order to success.

3-6-1

3-6-1 is an unusual but modern formation which provides to your squad significant dominant ball possession at the centre of the pitch. Like 3-5-2 formation you need to pressure at whole pitch and play the offside trap using fast defenders and zonal marking.

3-4-3

3-4-3 flat formation is very offensive. It provides your team with great ball possession and scoring chances by pressing at whole pitch. In order to success you need great pace at your flanks and defense. A short passing style is required like all midfield formations. If you want to change your mentality to a more defensive style, you can employ your ML\R to WBR\L.

The 4-2-4 problem

Before going on with Section 3, I would like to share with you a solution when dealing a 4-2-4 formation. This risky but effective formation can cause problems to your squad, especially if you don't know how to deal with it. Many managers have recorded many str8 wins based on this tactic.

Usually the instructions which are given to this formation are:

- Attacking mentality
- Normal tackling
- Mixed passing style
- Own half pressing
- No counter attack
- No offside trap

Now, let's crack this formation

The 4-2-3-1 formation should work fine for most of you. Four defenders in strait line DL-DC-DC-DR, two DMCs, ML, MC and MR used with red arrows to support your lone Striker.

---------------GK-------------------

-----DL----DC----DC---DR--------

---------DMC------DMC-----------

------ML------MC--------MR------

---------------ST-------------------

The instructions are:

- Hard tackling (if needed)
- Attacking or Normal mentality (depends on you or the previous score if it's leg encounter)
- Short passing style
- Focus passing through the middle
- Own half pressing

[Adel Gamal]

wait the 3rd section

[Adel Gamal]

Section 3

Balanced Tactics

4-4-2

4-4-2 is the most common balanced formation in the modern football. Every position covers at least one more player using zonal marking. A hard-working midfield is required in order to support both your attack from the flanks and your defense from the center. Full backs can join the midfield in order to give space and exploit a hit on the break using your wide midfielders pace. A shot passing style should work as ball possession is vital. 4-4-2 can be played with or without counter attack orders, depending on your opponent's squad skills. Feel free to tweak 4-4-2 into a 4-4-1-1 with an AMC joining the midfield instead of being deep into your opponent's defense.

4-4-2 Diamond

4-4-2 Diamond or 4-1-2-1-2, is a popular tweak over the original 4-4-2. On this edition your defense line remains strait, two MCs are placed at the center of the pitch, one DMC to cover and connect your defense with the midfield playing as a deeper play maker, one AMC employed as "10" for forward runs and drilling balls towards your STs, to crack your opponent's defense. Diamond formation is a very effective attacking mentality formation but requires players with grate pace both on defense and attack especially from the flanks. Can be deployed with counter attack orders and always with pressing on your own half otherwise your players will tire up soon before the final whistle blows.

4-4-2 Christmas Tree

Christmas tree looks funny on your board but can be very effective and difficult to crack down. It's similar to the 4-4-2 Diamond formation but instead of the DMC you use another one AMC with red arrows to join your lone ST from the back. The flanks gap in defense and midfield can be covered by attacking full backs. A whole pitch pressure could be effective using short passing. Attack both from the flanks and center of the pitch. Again players with great pace are required. If possible you can also use the offside trap.

[Adel Gamal]

wait section 4 and pls don't comment

[Adel Gamal]

Section 4

Attacking formations

4-3-3

4-3-3 is an exceptional counter attacking formation. It's based on the Brazilian formation 4-2-4 while giving more defensive solution with the extra midfield player instead of an fourth attacker. Wide strikers force opponents defenders to split, makings line gaps. Wide defenders can also join the attack (like Arsenal and Ajax do), making the opponents midfield to split in two, giving your MCs space to run with ball and shoot or pass the ball behind opponent's defense. A mix passing style and focus passing should work fine.

3-3-1-3

3-3-1-3 a tweak on the 4-3-3 formation used by Barcelona now times, same logic and orders with the Dutch 4-3-3 but in order to success you need a very skillful squad which can put pressure at whole pitch.

4-3-1-2

The last one is A classic Argentinian 4-3-1-2 since 1960. Hard-working midfielders and an outstanding play maker are enough to route opponents defense. Plus, 4-3-1-2 is very flexible, it can be tweaked to a classic flat 4-4-2 during the match and play the transition.

Section 5

Instructions


A formation it self can not provide your team superiority in the field. You need to combine your formation with the correct instructions in order to achieve your aim, which is a positive result.

Ball Possession

Ball possession is a vital part of the game, especial when you want to play dominant football. So, when you use midfield based formations or flat attacking formations such as 3-5-2, 4-5-1, 3-6-1, 3-4-3, 4-3-3 etc. you need to use shot passing style.

Counter Attack

When using defensive and ultra defensive formations such as Catenaccio, 5-4-1 etc. or counter attacking formations such as 4-3-3, you should force the counter attack. Put pressure to your opponent on your side only and take atvantage on defense gaps which are created by his effort to score against you. Long ball passing is required.

Offside Trap

The Offside Trap is an excellent way to decrease your opponents chances of scoring against you, while you press him upper on the pitch. Play the offside trap when using attacking formations with two DC and WBR\L. Aware, that you need DCs with great pace in order to deal with counter attacks or fast STs. Avoid using the Off. Trap when the opponent use AMC(s).

[Adel Gamal]

Section 6

Asymmetric Formation

Total Football Formation - The Dutch way



Total Football is something more than a formation. It's a philosophy, like Catenaccio. In Total Football every player on the pitch can posse a threat to opposition keeper, no matter the role he has in the game. Even the keeper can score if possible. There is no standar tactic to represent Total Football, any tactic can be "Total Football", but you can try out the original approach to this way of playing, which is the formation that Holland use nowadays.

-Team Mentality: Attacking
-Passing Focus: From the flanks
-Pressing Style: Own Half
-Tackling: Normal
-Passing Style: Short
-Mark: Zonal
-No Offside trap
-Yes Counter Attack

Note: These are the original instructions, I agree to some, I disagree to other. Alter them in order to fit your squad.

[Adel Gamal]

I finished and you can say what you want

[Smoggie]

Thanks for all your time and effort your putting into this forum ,well done mate. plenty of good info .