The ‘Numbers Game’- How much do formations REALLY matter?

 

 

More than any other aspect of coaching in Australia over the last few years since the introduction of the National Curriculum, the part that is far too widely debated is the use of  the 4-3-3 system. I’m sure it’s not confined to this country either. What so many seem to have missed the point of, is that the numbers themselves don’t actually matter. No football ‘system’ is going to work if you don’t have football ‘players’.

 

 

"Football is a simple game based on the giving and

taking of passes, of controlling the ball and of

making yourself available to receive a pass.

It is terribly simple." –Bill Shankly

 

Yes, 4-3-3 is used by many of the top Academies in the world; La Masia, Clairefontaine  and the Ajax Academy probably being the most famous examples.

Surely therefore, this is the way to develop the top talent!

What far too many fail to realise is that the formation, particularly during youth development, is nothing more than a vehicle to enhance players technical and tactical understanding of the game. It is the style of play that is encouraged by these institutions that has far more influence on these players. Could players also be taught to play a technically demanding, possession-based, high pressure in transition style while playing 4-4-2 or even 3-5-2? Of course they could.

If 6 and 7 year olds in America can do this, surely we don't need to be seeing defenders taking goal kicks, midfielders being told to hit the channels and strikers being told 'just run'! 

Just look at the professional game. Does a Sam Allardyce coached team play the way they do BECAUSE it is set up in a 4-4-2? Does Arsenal play the way they do BECAUSE they play a 4-3-3? And if formation has a great relevance, how do Liverpool under Brendan Rodgers continue to play in a similar manner whether they employ a 4-4-2, 4-3-3, 4-2-3-1 or a 3-5-2? Pep Guardiola slides between a 4-3-3 and a 3-4-3. Jurgen Klopp plays 4-2-3-1 or 4-4-2. The Bayern Munich academy teaches a 4-4-2. In fact, throughout Europe’s top Academies there are a number of formations used.

Read the ECA report on European Academies here

 

Far more important than the formation are the type of players at a coaches disposal, the team chemistry (both natural and engendered), and the playing style. All of these require player buy-in and an understanding of individual roles. Once these have been achieved, the formation should be of little consequence. Far more important than WHERE each player is, is WHAT they are doing. Playing a 4-3-3 does not equal good football, any more than any other formation necessitates bad football.

   

      Formation's popularity come and go in cycles, each in response to the previous one’s perceived  strengths and weaknesses.

 

In Australia, far too many coaches have missed the point of the Curriculum, especially at the youth level. It isn’t about the 4-3-3. It is about developing footballers. Playing a 4-3-3 won’t make your players any more adept for elite football than a 4-4-2, 3-5-2 or any other formation you can imagine (read inverting the pyramid) if they are not being taught to be technically proficient, play with both feet, treasure possession, play in tight areas and see the right pass at the right time. The formation you play shouldn’t affect players ability to make the pitch big in possession, create angles, play with width and depth, find space between lines, play killer passes, take on opponents 1v1 at appropriate times, recycle possession, press aggressively, defend as a unit, close passing channels or provide cover and balance. Time for all these things to be the focus and stop worrying about how many triangles your particular formation creates on a whiteboard.

After all, if all your team are doing is defending then going aimlessly long early, you may as well set up as a 5-0-5.