Youth Soccer 9v9 Formation
107 videos • 3,364 views • by The Scouting Corner Pro Scouting and Player Videos 9v9 is one of the most exciting stages in the development of young players as it’s the first time they are truly able to understand positioning, formations and how to play to the strengths of their teammates. In The Mastermind‘s hometown province of Ontario, 9v9 starts at the U11 stage and ends at U13, when players move up to the 11v11 game for the rest of their lives. With so much analysis on the best formations for 11v11, it’s amazing how the 9v9 game often gets overlooked. By studying the best formations in 9v9 a lot can be learned and translated over to the 11v11 game and so it’s a mystery why this level of play is not often studied. So with that, The Mastermind Site has compiled a list of the best formations and the tactics and requirements associated with each. If you’d prefer, you can also listen to the audio podcast version of this article. These are some of the most common and very best formations to play in the highly intriguing 9v9 game. Enjoy. 3-2-3 Formation 9v9 Soccer The 3-2-3 is one of the most popular 9v9 formations. You can just picture Barcelona’s U12’s running circles around their opposition and dominating possession using this formation. 3-2-3 is excellent for creating triangles in possession of the ball and provides any team with great balance and symmetry. ADAPTABLE FORMATIONS FOR 11v11 4-3-3 3-4-3 4-2-3-1 PLAYERS REQUIRED Wingers who like to stay wide and don’t get drawn to the middle, BUT can also do defensive work for the team. A centre forward who can hold the line all on their own. Midfielders who are good in possession and can run from left to right. Defenders who understand they need to be more than just defenders. PROS Attack-minded and possession oriented. Provides loads of width but still a good base in midfield, creating excellent balance in the team. Easily adaptable into a 3-4-1 in defense if wingers track back. Provides a solid defensive 3 as a base with central midfielders easily able to learn the art of dropping in and covering for defenders when they go on runs. CONS Wingers can get drawn too wide, leaving the centre forward all alone and outnumbered. If central midfielders are not tactically sound and positionally aware, it can become very easy for them to get outnumbered due to the wingers playing so high. Requires wingers to track back and defend or central midfielders to cover in wide areas, otherwise there’s a massive gap in between them and the fullbacks. Defenders can often be reluctant to join the attack. For more on the 3-2-3, see Coaching the 3-2-3 (9v9). 2-3-2-1 / 2-3-3 2-3-2-1 Formation 9v9 Soccer With practically a perfect balance of players in both attack and defense, the 2-3-2-1/2-3-3 is one of the most popular 9v9 formations out there and is used by Barcelona and Ajax’s famed academies. It allows players to easily learn defensive and attacking roles and gives them the freedom and autonomy to play however they want to play. The formation suits teams looking to play on the counter attack just like it works for teams who like to keep possession, play wide, play through the middle or even the often-criticized long-ball game. It’s also easily able to accommodate nearly every type of player and allows teams with a lack of natural defenders to still have a strong defensive base if the the three in front of them do their defensive work. ADAPTABLE FORMATIONS FOR 11v11 3-4-2-1 (3-4-3) 4-3-2-1 (4-3-3) PLAYERS REQUIRED Right and left midfielders who can get up and down the line and understand that although they are not defenders, they have a crucial defensive role. As a coach you can also call these positions wing-backs to really cement that notion in their minds. Either wingers or attacking midfielders who can play inverted and not get caught too far wide. A centre forward who can hold up play and is talented on and off the ball. Support will come from the two in behind but because they are playing as ‘midfielders’ if the striker can never hang onto the ball the formation won’t work effectively. Industrious, hard-working players all around the pitch. PROS Suits all styles of the game, most notably a game that relies on crossing and playing wide. Offers perfect symmetry and stability within a team and is neither overly defensive or overly attack-minded. Easily adjustable and can become a 4-1-2-1 in defense if wing-backs tuck in or a 2-1-4-1 in attack if wing-backs can get forward. Also easily adjusted into a 2-3-1-2 and 2-4-2 without disrupting the balance. Arguably the best way to get players familiar with a 3-4-3 system in 11v11. Creates loads of triangles necessary for both attack and defense. CONS Defenders must be fast as any slip-ups from right/left midfielder will leave the team easily exposed. Midfield can get too open if defensive midfielder plays too low and attacking midfielders play too high. Similarly if defensive midfielder plays too high, a massive gap will again be created and right/left midfielders may be forced inside. Defend