The Formation Fix
Should you play players out of position?
The formation frustration
You've built confidence, created systematic training and developed match-like scenarios. Now it's time to organise these players into formations that play to their strengths.
Most coaches pick formations based on what they see on TV or what worked for another team. Formation can be used as a development tool too, whatever the age of your players. Today, a five-minute assessment that reveals your players' natural positions, and the tactical adjustments that follow from it.
Step 1: Identify your player types
Watch your players in the small-sided games from yesterday. Their natural tendencies reveal their best positions.
The Organiser
- Always talking to teammates
- Sees danger before it happens
- Calm under pressure
- Natural centre-back or holding midfielder
The Engine
- Never stops running
- Wins loose balls consistently
- Links defence and attack
- Suits a box-to-box midfield role
The Creator
- Always looking for the killer pass
- Comfortable on the ball
- Sees space others don't
- Attacking midfielder or wide playmaker
The Finisher
- First to react in the box
- Stays calm when shooting
- Makes runs behind the defence
- Natural striker or inside forward
The Defender
- Loves winning tackles
- Good 1v1 positioning
- Rarely beaten for pace
- Centre-back or full-back
The Worker
- Tracks back to defend
- Gets forward to support
- Reliable in all areas
- Wide midfielder or full-back
Step 2: Count your player types
Make a simple tally of each type in your squad. This reveals your formation options.
Formation selector based on personnel (11-a-side)
Remember: a formation can still be used as a development tool. That Finisher who won't use their left foot? Try them wide left so they have to learn it.
Step 3: Test and adjust
Use your small-sided games to test different combinations before committing to matches.
Testing protocol
Week 1: try your chosen formation in training games
Week 2: make small adjustments based on what you observe
Week 3: implement in matches with confidence
Ongoing: adapt as players develop new strengths
Goalkeepers
The extra outfield player who needs technical skills and tactical understanding.
- Distribution: "Pick your target, weight your pass"
- Positioning: "Stay on your line for crosses, come for through balls"
- Communication: "Call everything, you see the whole game"
- Decision making: "When in doubt, safety first"
Centre-backs
The foundation of your team's defensive structure and build-up play.
- Defending: "Stay on your feet, force them wide"
- Passing: "Look up first, then play the pass. The furthest pass forward is usually best"
- Communication: "Organise your line, call the pressure"
- Positioning: "Cover your partner, trust your goalkeeper"
Full-backs
Modern full-backs create width in attack and provide defensive stability.
- Attacking: "Get high and wide when we have the ball"
- Defending: "Show them inside, where help is coming"
- Recovery: "Sprint back when we lose possession"
- Crossing: "Look up and pick your target"
Central midfielders
The engine room that links defence to attack and controls the tempo of the game.
- Possession: "Keep it simple, keep it moving"
- Movement: "Always give your teammate an option"
- Pressing: "Press together, cover each other"
- Scanning: "Check your shoulder before receiving"
Attacking midfielders and wingers
The creative players who break down defences and create scoring opportunities.
- Creativity: "Take risks in the final third"
- Movement: "Find space between their lines"
- 1v1s: "Back yourself to beat your marker"
- Final ball: "Quality over quantity in your passing"
Strikers
The focal point of attacks who create and finish scoring chances.
- Movement: "Make runs to stretch their defence"
- Finishing: "Stay calm, pick your spot"
- Hold-up play: "Protect the ball and bring others in"
- Pressing: "Set the tempo from the front"
U10-U12: Foundation formations
- 7v7 focus: 2-3-1 or 1-4-1 formations work well
- Rotation matters: give everyone experience in different positions
- Simple roles: "Stay in your area" is enough tactical instruction when defending
- Fun first: formation changes should feel like games, not lectures
U13-U16: Development formations
- 9v9 and 11v11: start introducing adult formations gradually
- Position specialisation: let players focus on two or three preferred positions
- Tactical understanding: explain why positions matter for team success
- Flexibility training: practise formation changes during games
U17+: Performance formations
- Position mastery: players should excel in their best position
- Tactical flexibility: able to adapt formations during matches
- Leadership roles: positional leaders who organise their areas
- Opposition analysis: formation choice based on opponent weaknesses
Connection to previous days
Technical foundation (Day 2): players with better technique can handle more complex positional responsibilities.
Mental strength (Day 3): confident players adapt better to new positions and tactical instructions.
Game understanding (Day 4): small-sided games reveal natural positional instincts that inform formation choices.
The complete picture: formation is the framework that organises all previous development into a match-winning structure.
Your formation implementation strategy
Week 1: Assess
Use small-sided games and training observations to identify player types and natural positions.
Week 2: Select
Choose a formation based on your player assessment. Test it in training games first.
Week 3: Teach
Focus on position-specific coaching points. Use the phrases that stick.
Week 4: Apply
Implement in matches with confidence. Make small adjustments as needed.
In-game formation adjustments
When winning: consider more defensive stability, an extra midfielder or defender
When losing: add attacking players, an extra forward or attacking midfielder
Against a strong attack: an extra defender or defensive midfielder
Against a weak defence: an extra attacker or push a midfielder forward
Formation mistakes to avoid
- Copying others: don't use a formation just because it works for another team
- Forcing players: don't make players play positions they clearly struggle with
- Too complex: keep instructions simple, especially for younger players
- Never changing: be willing to adapt when the current formation isn't working