quote:

Originally posted by denys envy you don't play with a sweeper for sure, that leaves 3 forwards on 3 true defenders, you'll get burned every time, and definitely get peppered with mid-range shots. a sweeper is only useful if you're playing against a 2 forward scheme and the forwards are extremely fast, then you drop a sweeper. in a 4-4-2 against a 4-3-3 you want a diamond midfield. have your midfield play three across just like theirs and drop one into a centre halfback position. like you defense four-across, man-to-man marking, the CHB is basically responsible for "ball-hunting" - when the opposite team comes to your half on the offensive, the CHB will cover (tightly) wherever the ball goes, everyone else marks the open players. the reason you don't do zone is because, with 3 forwards, a team will gut you with diagonal runs. if effective this will push their outside forwards closer to the lines, as that's the only "easy" pass that will be available. they'll either try to beat their marker one on one - or the likely scenario is that they put in a shitload of crosses. then you have to pray that your defense can cover in the air.

Thanks for the reply.. lots of info you write about playing 4-4-2 againts 4-3-3 but it's all a bit confusing..

Could you perhaps write down a list that says which of your opponent's players should normally be defended by each of your players when your opponent is attacking?

Maybe you can make a diagram in Paint or something and post it here to explain it?

Also, which of your players is going to defend your opponent's wing backs.. it seems logic to use your wingers but then you have only 2 midfielders in the center against there 3 center midfielders.

Last edited by Dance123 on Nov-05-2009 at 14:18

Alright. You opponent (Team A) is in a 4-3-3 formation:

__________GK__________

- RWB - CB - CB - LWB -

- RM - CM - LM -

- RF - CF - LF -



You (Team B) are playing a 4-4-2:

__________GK__________

- RB - CB - CB - LB -

- RW - RM - LM - LW -

- RF - LF -

instead of playing a "four across", shown above. you will shift your midfield to a "diamond" formation:

_____CDM_____

RM_________LM

_____CAM_____

Now we're all under the assumption that your team can defend...

On defense, CDM(B) is what we call a "bulldog", he's responsible for covering anyone entering into his defensive half with possession. Let's say RM(A), CM(A), or LM(A) make a run into your half with the ball, CDM(B) should automatically be seeking these individuals out and 1. pressuring them into a mistake, 2. attempting to win possession, 3. shouting marking instruction to the rest of his teammates.

Still with me? We continue. Also keep in mind that this all happens over a matter of two to five secons...

The remaining midfielders (CAM, RM, LM) on Team B should drop back and mark up on the rest of Team A's midfield - man-to-man. So LM(B) would cover RM(A), etc. etc. Considering that one of the Team A midfielders currently has possession of the ball, and is being covered by CDM(B) - leaves us with two remaining Team A mids, covered by a further two Team B mids... Do the math and - yes - you have one more midfielder left.

In most instances it's usually the CAM, who needs an extra time coming back to defense from his attacking role (also the forwards are in the same situation). He has two options, if one of the A central backs decides to join in on the fun, CAM(B) is responsible for covering him (or her I suppose). (I don't ever see the whole defense committing to offense... should it happen, hope to steal the ball and you have at least a 5 on 2 counter-attack...) The second choice for CAM is to continue his run back and help CDM(B) do objectives 1. or 2. from above. - greater chance of winning possession.

Team B's forwards would seek out the two wing-backs on Team A and mark them accordingly.

This brings us to the Team A front. You have four backs, they have three forwards. Marked man-to-man that leaves you with an extra back - regardless of who it is - he'll be left to defend anyone that might break away from their marker in the midfield.

i.e. let's say the CDM gets burned by whoever has the ball, the remaining back would step up to that player as he's making that run. Let's say the CDM doesn't get burned, but someone on team A makes a great run and gets a good pass through to him - the remaining back should already be looking for this run to happen and 1. step in to steal the ball, or 2. cover the person who receives the pass.

However the play develops, those on Team B that lose their marker shouldn't worry, as there's always an extra person defending. But as soon as they do, continue to drop back and look for an open person to cover or help to win possession.

Football is a game of split seconds. And it's really hard to practice this stuff. However one of the drills I do with my team is I like them up with in a 4-4-2 on the field, have them stay stationary. Then I get a ball, make a run with it into different parts of the field and call out who I am on the opposite team "Center Midfielder" then ask each one of them respectively who they're going to cover and make sure they know the answer - have them shift accordingly. Re-organize and repeat with different runs to different parts of the field, with different positions on the opposing team.

And, of course, it's never going to develop exactly like I described above. It may be the LM(A) who comes in with the ball possession, CDM would cover him. CAM(B) would then be responsible for covering CM(A), and LM(B) would cover RM(A) - leaving us with RM(B) as the one who makes a decision about covering CB(A) or dropping back farther. etc. etc. etc.

The point is to make sure your players know the different scenarios and who they would be responsible for in each case.

Sorry for the term paper over here, I'm sure it's still doesn't make any sense... Read slowly, I guess. LOL

Thanks alot for the reply!

1/ so essentially you're saying that if you play 4-4-2 against 4-3-3, then your 4 midfielders should mark your opponent's 3 midfielders and your 2 forwards should mark your opponent's wing-backs, correct?

Now, do you think it's a good idea to have your forwards mark your opponent's wing-backs? The problem with that is that your forwards may end up playing more on the wings then playing up front creating scoring chances and keep the CB's of your opponent busy, don't you think?

Wouldn't it be better to have your RW and LW mark the wing-backs of your opponent - so your RW marks your opponent's LWB and your LW marks your opponent's RWB - and keep your fowards central with one helping to defend on center midfield? What do you think?

2/ another thing.. when you are attacking with a 4-4-2 against a 4-3-3, which of your players should the wing-backs of your opponent mark?

Last edited by Dance123 on Nov-08-2009 at 16:46

quote:

Originally posted by Dance123 Thanks alot for the reply! 1/ so essentially you're saying that if you play 4-4-2 against 4-3-3, then your 4 midfielders should mark your opponent's 3 midfielders and your 2 forwards should mark your opponent's wing-backs, correct? Now, do you think it's a good idea to have your forwards mark your opponent's wing-backs? The problem with that is that your forwards may end up playing more on the wings then playing up front creating scoring chances and keep the CB's of your opponent busy, don't you think? Wouldn't it be better to have your RW and LW mark the wing-backs of your opponent - so your RW marks your opponent's LWB and your LW marks your opponent's RWB - and keep your fowards central with one helping to defend on center midfield? What do you think? 2/ another thing.. when you are attacking with a 4-4-2 against a 4-3-3, which of your players should the wing-backs of your opponent mark?

your forwards will DEFEND on the wings, they don't have to stay there once your team gets and maintains possession.

attacking is always a preference. i like to counter-attack... a lot. basically draw the other team in, steal the ball and have your players look for the best dribbler/passer on the team to get him the ball. usually this is the person i put into the CAM position. usually the ball will always run through this player. he'll make the decision to pass or continue his run as the forwards/other midfielders do their best to get open/make a run.