By Matt Carroll
At the 7v7 level play should be totally focused on development, and not on the result, but having some tactical flexibility can be a useful teaching moment to increase players Soccer IQ. Most teams at the 7v7 level play a 2-3-1 allowing them to utilize the width of the wingers, and block up the central locations defensively. This is a really great formation that allows for a lot of flexibility and translates well to the full sided game, but having a singular striker can occasionally mean the striker (especially for maybe a more technical, but less speedy forward) can get isolated and either be blocked from service or forced to drop into the midfield leaving the team without a forward. The 2-2-2 eliminates that by adding a striker partner.
Defensively the back line has very similar responsibilities that they do in the 2-3-1. When the ball is outside the ball side player should shift to cover for the midfielder dragged out wide, while the backside defender should look to stay central and block the middle of the pitch. The difference here though is the central defender may be called upon more to push forward into the central midfield since against a 2-3-1 they will be at a numerical disadvantage. Due to this the other defender will need to work hard to get back into a cover position, while one of the wingers will likely need to drop into defense, and a forward drop into the midfield, essentially turning into a 2-3-1 when the mdifield line is broken.
In the midfield the focus is far less focused on providing width than it is in three across. Width in the two person midfield results in large gaps, so the midfield must play much more compact looking to work in teams to pressure the ball in defense, and support in each other in attack. Width in this formation will come from the far side striker dropping lower and wider to either defend the opposition winger, or provide a crossing opportunity to switch the point of attack.
Finally, when in attack the forwards should work together but not get too bunched. If both strikers are too close they will negate the advantage of having two up top, but also leave the team open to counterattacks through the gaps in the midfield. While the one striker has the ball the other striker must work to find gaps and make diagonal runs behind the defense to stretch them, and place the defender in a position to then drop off and delay the counter if necessary.
By Matt Carroll
