Formations: When to Use Them and Why

01 Formation, Structure and Actual Shape: They Are Not the Same Thing8 min read · academy.level_beginner 02 How to Choose a Formation Based on Your Squad8 min read · academy.level_beginner 03 4-4-2: Balance, Wide Areas and Two Strikers8 min read · academy.level_beginner 04 4-2-3-1: Double Screen and Half-Space Occupation8 min read · academy.level_beginner 05 4-3-3: Width, Triangles and Pressure8 min read · academy.level_beginner 06 4-3-2-1: Central Density and Crucial Fullbacks8 min read · academy.level_beginner 07 4-1-4-1: Single Holding Midfielder and Five Pressing Lanes8 min read · academy.level_beginner 08 4-1-2-1-2 Narrow: Diamond and Central Overload11 min read · academy.level_intermediate 09 4-3-1-2: Verticality and Two Strikers11 min read · academy.level_intermediate 10 3-4-2-1: Wide Centre-Backs, Wing-Backs and Two No. 10s11 min read · academy.level_intermediate 11 3-5-2: Central Control and Two Strikers11 min read · academy.level_intermediate 12 3-4-3: Width and High Pressing11 min read · academy.level_intermediate 13 5-4-1: Low Block and Transition Out11 min read · academy.level_intermediate 14 5-2-3: Protection and Wide Transitions11 min read · academy.level_intermediate 15 4-2-2-2: Four References Between the Lines and in Behind11 min read · academy.level_intermediate 16 4-2-4: Final Assault and Structural Risk11 min read · academy.level_intermediate 17 Turning a 4-3-3 into a 3-2-5 in Possession14 min read · Advanced 18 Turning a 4-2-3-1 into a 4-4-2 Out of Possession14 min read · Advanced 19 When to Switch to a Back Three During the Match14 min read · Advanced 20 When to Add a Midfielder Instead of a Forward14 min read · Advanced 21 Building Two Variants with the Same XI14 min read · Advanced 22 Squad-Formation Matrix: Starters, Alternatives and Vulnerabilities17 min read · Advanced