By Matthew Carroll
Along with the 4-3-3, the 4-2-3-1 is one of the most commonly used formations at the professional level today. It is a uniquely flexible formation that can be used to fit any number of styles of play. Below are listed some general roles that players should be aware of when playing within the 4-2-3-1 system, although these can be adjusted depending on the style of play a coaching staff chooses (such as inverting wingbacks or wingers).
The 9-Central Striker
Player Attributes
• A big strong player who is strong on the ball and can play with his back to the goal OR
• A fast player who can exploit spaces between the defense and get behind for through balls and balls over the top
• Excellent finishing abilities
Responsibilities
Offense
• Score goals
• Hold the ball with back to goal and pass to attacking midfielders
• Play give and go’s with supporting players
• Make runs between defenders for through balls from attacking midfielders
Defense
• Pressure defenders with the ball, should position oneself between ball and center circle when opponent plays out the back
• Force play to one side of the field to make it easier to defend in the offensive half
The 10- Attacking Midfielder
Player Attributes
• Should be technically excellent (passing, dribbling, first touch) and able to play with both feet
• Good vision and reads the game well
• Knows where the ball is going next before it is received
Responsibilities
Offense
• Set up goals with passing
• Play the ball out to #11 and #7
• Play give and go’s with #9
• Play through balls between defenders for #9, #11 and #7
• Use #6 and #8 to maintain possession when receiving ball with back to goal.
Defense
• Pressure defensive midfielder when he has the ball
• Drop centrally to clog middle and force ball out wide
The 11/7- Wingers
Player Attributes
• Should be technically excellent (passing, dribbling, first touch) and able to play with both feet Fast
• Attacking mindset, willing to take players on in the final third and cut in from the wing
Responsibilities
Offense
• Stay pinched in closer to the middle and get into attack when ball moves forward
• Play the ball out wide to overlapping #3
• Play give and go’s with #9 and #10
• Play through balls between defenders for #9 and #10
• Cut in on right/left foot to take shots at goal
Defense
• Pressure outside defensive back when he has the ball
• Force the ball wide towards the sideline
• Covers defensively for #3 when he goes forward on overlapping run
The 6/8- Holding/Supporting Midfielder
Player Attributes
• Good defensively, wins 50/50 challenges often
• Excellent passing and vision
• Can cover a lot of ground in the midfield – i.e. a ball hawk
• Good spatial awareness
• Solid communication between the 6/8 partnership
Responsibilities
Offense
• Play the ball wide to #2/3 on overlaps
• Play give and go’s with #11 and #10
• Play balls over the top to #9
• #8 should look to support attack by distributing to attacking players while moving into attack as well
• #6 should look to cover the #8 by providing safe outlet passes and covering defensively
Defense
• Cut off passing lanes from opposition midfield to forward
• Close down space on opposition offensive midfielders
• Stays in front of defense to support
• Drops into middle between #5 and #6 when they spread wide to play the ball out of the back to create a flat back 4 when #⅔ push up
The 3/2- Wingbacks
Player Attributes
• Good defensively, wins 50/50 challenges often
• Excellent dribbling skills
• Fast
• Willingness to run the entire length of the field
• Desire to get into offense on overlaps
Responsibilities
Offense
• Stay wide – “chalk on boots”
• Play ball through #8 and #7
• Overlap, overlap, overlap
• Take ball to end line and cross into #9 or cut back to offensive midfielders
Defense
• Mark wingers from other team
• Force play into traffic (either wide towards the sideline to reduce space, or into supporting defender more centrally
• Pinch close into #4 when team loses possession
The 5/4- Centre Backs
Player Attributes
• Good defensively
• Strong in the air
• Excellent passing skills
• Ability to lead defense and keep defensive shape (compact and organized)
Responsibilities
Offense
• Play the ball wide to #3 and #2
• Play ball through #6 and #8
• Support midfield to maintain possession
• Get to corners of the 18 yard box to begin play from the back.
Defense
• Mark central strikers or attacking midfielder from other team
• Win tackles and headers
• Use the goalkeeper to keep possession
The 1- Goalkeeper
Responsibilities
Offense
• Good distribution to outside backs
• Move to support fullbacks to maintain possession.
• Look to start quick counter attacks when opposition has committed numbers offensively.
Defense
• Stop shots
• Make sure defenders are covering players and staying compact
• Communicate tactical information
By Matthew Carroll
