By Mike Smith
Question - My team was up 3-1 at halftime and playing well. In the second half we conceded two early goals. The team then completely lost their shape, left players unmarked and were totally disorganized at the back. In this situation, would you consider changing to a different formation to try and get the team organized again?
Recently I was asked about a situation where a team was up 3-1 at halftime and playing very well, but then conceded two quick goals at the start of the second half and looked like a completely different team. The question was what to do when the team which was dominating all of a sudden becomes completely disorganized and would a formation change do the trick? For me, this question is like an onion and has several layers. So without over complicating things, let’s look at those layers and try to find the answer, which involves many different factors.
A great rule is “ if it’s not broke don’t fix it” so many times when a team has been successful in the first half, needing a change isn’t even a consideration. However, with all strengths come weaknesses, so even when things are going well, I am always cautious at half time as to if the opposition is going to figure out how to exploit a weakness and make sure I have an adjustment ready. For example:
The above diagram shows the attacking team readily getting to the end line, playing against a defending side in a traditional 4-4-2. Perhaps the defending coach is calling it a man / zone and defending the wide attackers on the off ball side. The attacking side is coming out of a 4-3-3 and this one v one pressure in the box, combined with the space at the top of the box the two central mids can exploit will create some high percentage scoring chances. However, with a slight adjustment:
The defending team has switched to a 5-3-2, left the far side attackers and is playing to steal the service. With some coordinated, aggressive movement by only 3 players , the defending side could quickly exploit the space left by the high line and sweeper the attacking team is using.
As shown above, if the attacking team could easily fall into a flat back 4-2-3-1 and focus on more possession and switching through the mid field, this would force the defenders to either sit back and conceded the loss, play for a much harder counter attacks and/or step back out and exploit the space where they were burnt before. So to answer the question, YES, a formation change can help but this needs to be something your side has practiced and is ready to do or the confusion and disorganization will only get worse.
There are other factors to consider though, for example:
Was it a personnel issue? Would pulling a player or two help? Would moving some players around help? IF the whole team went flat it could be other issues beyond the formation or an individual player or two.
What was the age of the players? Sometimes players get over confident and forget how their success came – through a process. Was it an attitude issue? Does the team relish the competition and the fight or were they upset when an easy win suddenly slipped away. Many young players struggle with the fact nothing is over until the final whistle and many times when you are up, it fires up the other team ensuring a harder fight rather than an easier one.
What was the quality of the competition? How did the goals come to get up 3-1? Was it a case of a team playing beyond themselves or the opponent actually being better, but playing below themselves until they got down?
Did a team whose strength is attack suddenly get passive and defensive? Attacking teams need the rhythm and tempo and flow that comes from attacking and will actually defend better when they are in an attacking rhythm.
Was this a common competitor which the team who was up had beaten several times before? Were the players bored with success and ready for harder or new competition?
Most coaches with a few seasons under their belt have been there, and having a Jekyll and Hyde team can be frustrating. No matter what, don’t approach it like the wheels are coming off, after all, every team can have a bad game. In the heat of the moment, don’t be afraid to try a formation or personnel shift to try and create a spark. Like a fire that has been doused out, all you are looking for is the spark that will return the flame.
Going forward however, be sure to have a couple formation adjustments ready to go and make sure the expectations for consistent success are there, and the practice regimen and overall culture of the team is such that attitude issues are never the stumbling block in front of success. Good luck!
By Mike Smith
Currently the Head Coach for University Heights Academy Boys Soccer in Hopkinsville, KY , Mike is in his 14th year as a high school head coach with 23 years coaching experience overall and 34 year as a student and fan of the game. He holds a USSF D License.
