|
|
|
Forum Newbie
Group: Forum Members
Last Login: 24/04/2010 08:20:47
Posts: 6,
Visits: 31
|
|
| I have a few questions. If you are playing a 4-4-2 diamond formation, with a attacking midfielder and a defensive midfielder and two wide midfielders, and you're playing against a team with a 4-5-1 formation, just packing the midfield, what is the best way to counter their crowded midfield? Secondly, if your opponents are playing wide, then it makes sense for me to play narrow on defense. Or am I wrong? Thanks.
|
|
|
|
|
Supreme Being
Group: Forum Members
Last Login: 28/12/2011 10:26:46
Posts: 82,
Visits: 1,967
|
|
| Assuming the team you are playing actually play the 90 minutes in the said shape and not just line up like it at every kick off then you simply need to pull one of the forwards back into midfield out of possession and when the ball is wide bring the far side wide midfielder inside slightly to fill space/mark more centrally. The diamond four is all about compactness and not width so your four should match what in the opponents shape will only be potentially three central players. With the diamond its essential you use your full backs as your main outlet out wide as by pulling the wide players out of the diamond it creates too much space centrally exposing the central midfielders. The player who spear heads the diamond although they have to provide support to the forwards in possession it is vital without the ball they drop deeper and not just play an attacking role. Teams should play two formations one in possession and one out (which every top proffessional side does) so for instance if in possession you are 4-4-2 in a diamond then out of possession it should become 4-1-4-1 as the forward drops back into midfield alongside the point player of the diamond or alternatively 4-2-3-1 as the point player sits in with the deepest lying midfielder and the forward drops back to sit in front of them level with the wide players creating the exact same shape as what you are looking to compete against. Any team that starts 4-2-3-1 should if they play it correctly turn into a 4-3-3 anyway once they attack as the wide players join the forward up top. Sorry its long winded or at all confusong but quite a complex subject if done correctly.
|
|
|
|
|
Forum Newbie
Group: Forum Members
Last Login: 26/03/2010 11:14:46
Posts: 5,
Visits: 4
|
|
| I agree with the previous poster. The fullbacks will play a massive part in helping to combat their corwded midfield. That they are playing with only 1 up front means that you can quite easily cope with your full backs going forward as you will still have two central players to cope with him. (man marker and a spare even). The other thing is how high you defend. If you defend a high line and as your strikers to really push on and give some length to the play then you can try and force the play and ensure that the overcrowding is in their half. Even their last third. Congestion in that situation will work in your favour as they will have less space to play themselves and it will be in a dangerous area. Can you press them in and force them into having to take evasive action and pump long balls to their lone attacker. If the answer is yes then great for you because your centre halves will have a birthday.
|
|
|
|
|
Forum Newbie
Group: Forum Members
Last Login: 24/04/2010 08:20:47
Posts: 6,
Visits: 31
|
|
| Thanks for the tips. It makes sense.
|
|
|
|
|
Forum Newbie
Group: Forum Members
Last Login: 31/03/2010 02:25:12
Posts: 5,
Visits: 3
|
|
| just to add to the other posters....you could got to a 3-5-2 formation. in this formation your backs would pinch in and you would push one of your center backs into the traditionally stopper position and the other center back would become the sweeper. with that being said, your center halves could play a more flat role (a left center mid and a right center mid) as opposed to being stacked one in front of the other. this would allow them to be more efficient on defense with pressure & cover. i've run this line-up against a 4-5-1 and been rather successful because we were able to keep a forward presence without sacrificing the center of the pitch. it does require a strong connection between your stopper and sweeper. they must have speed, physicality and great communication. i've even used a 3-4-3 line-up but i had the luxury of two very strong center mids that played flat. good luck. hope that helps.
--TJ
|
|
|
|
|
Forum Newbie
Group: Forum Members
Last Login: 22/04/2010 19:27:40
Posts: 2,
Visits: 3
|
|
Just to add to what a few others have said, the diamond midfield actually means you have 4 central midfielders, since the right and left mid are actually paired central players with more responsibilities in the width. So you shouldn't really be worried about bad numbers centrally.
When you are holding the ball in attack and your strikers are engaged with the centerbacks, you should think of your "formation" as a 2-6-2...the 2 in back are to eliminate counters through the striker. the other 2 you normally play in the back are playing much higher and engaging the outside midfielders....which is how you attack in that system anyway. (Remember that the 4-5-1 is really just a 4-3-3, with the wings sitting in). And you attack it right up the gut, where you have the numerical advantage 5v4, with your paired mids, attacking mid and strikers versus 2 mids and 2 center backs. Your holding mid minds their attacking or central mid (depending on what their central piece looks like and your center backs mind their striker. This further disconnects their striker....unless he works way back which gives you plenty of time to sort it out.
If you need to release pressure, you do so through the outside backs stepping up, as was mentioned. AND make sure to be adventurous with shots, especially early in the game. If they see you are willing to shoot from 25+ (even if they miss or are easy saves for the keeper) they have to stretch out to defend you there....and then you can get in behind.
|
|
|
|
|
Junior Member
Group: Forum Members
Last Login: 31/05/2010 20:02:17
Posts: 14,
Visits: 8
|
|
| Ahhh yes the crowded midfield tactic. Many teams use this tactic, especially if your team has very skilled central midfielders in an effort to take them out of the game. Quick ball movement is always a must in these situations more so than when playing against a normal 4-4-2 midifield. However, sometimes its hard to get your players to all adapt to this style of play. Another solution is using the long ball, especially if you have speedy strikers. By no means am I an advocate of "kick and chase" football, but it may be the best option to skip out the crowded midfield and play a more direct style of Soccer. You may want to take a look at these articles and advice on implement different Soccer Formations. You should always defend narrow, the more compact your defense is the harder it will be for the opposition to penetrate. You do want to pressure the wings and deny crosses from being sent in. But if you have a strong back line you should be confident defending crosses and corners. The best form of defense is always to keep the ball. When your in possesion be sure your team is commited to keeping the ball, move it quickly and make the other team defend. Hope this helps. Good luck.
Do you want to become a better Soccer player? Soccer Coach? Soccer Parent? http://www.the-soccer-essentials.com
|
|
|
|