By Mike Smith
I am not trying to coin a new style of play, but early on in my coaching career, when I was encouraged to focus on my own coaching education and soccer IQ I remember watching the Brazilian National Team and thinking “ They just get in a big circle and pass it around.” Like most young / new coaches I was consumed with formations and the closest thing I could come up with to describe what I called the “ Brazilian Circle” was the 4-2-4. Years later I find myself coaching this as a style of possession when I have a very complete and athletic team. In reality, most of us who run an attacking or possession minded 4-4-2 will look at times like we are in a 4-2-4 and I have found it helps the players to practice this as an official “ formation” at times during the season. The benefit of practicing in the 4-2-4 set up is better passing, flow, and attacking. I have also found with practice, the team responds to counters better when the ball is lost. Here is what I mean:
Many time when our team starts using the width and length of the field, the formation looks like this ( above ), essentially a 4-2-4. And, it could be marked up like this:
Which ( above ) doesn’t make it look that formidable or advantageous. In reality however, especially if you have strong wings, mids and strikers ( forwards above ) the defending shape will most likely look as it does below.
Loads of space, 4 -5 players open all with the ball well under control in the center of the field. The options are endless and by practicing this a bit, the players will recognize when they can utilize it as an attacking and possessing shape in the game. Try this simple drill:
Set Up
8 players take positions in a 30 yd diameter circle. Two players work in the center of the circle, each with a ball. The coach can decide whether to leave the center players in until they have made an received a pass from every player ( and then switch) or as shown, the center players play to a perimeter player and then the players switch positions.
Progression
Once the players have all been in and out of the circle and are good an warm, take away one ball and add a couple of defenders into the mix. As shown below, attacking players can combine with each other but must alternate between using the central and perimeter players. The only exception is a switch played to the player DIRECTLY across the circle.
Coaching Points
The coach should make sure there is tons of movement, communication and accurate passing. The coach may add additional defenders and I have had this drill work exceptionally well with up to 4 defenders vs 2 attackers in the center, which is a very realistic game condition and a very good reason to try implementing the 4-2-4 “ Brazilian Circle”.
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.
