| Many coaches start a soccer season with a specific | | | | outscore teams. |
| formation in mind. Whether it be 4-4-2, 4-3-3, or any | | | | Now lets say you get given a team to coach, and it |
| other, they know it has worked in the past, and they | | | | happens to be loaded with naturally defensive minded |
| are confident it will work in the future with any team | | | | players, and only a couple naturally offensive talented |
| they coach. | | | | players. You would likely see more success coaching |
| Is this a correct approach? Will this attitude lead to | | | | a 4-5-1 formation with more defensive focus and use |
| success? This will explore that thought process. | | | | your 2 offensive players in a striker role and an |
| While having an idea in mind of how you would like | | | | offensive midfield role rather then placing players in |
| your team to play is great, having an open mind along | | | | positions they may not generate success in by playing |
| with that is a necessary foundation for success. | | | | a more offensive system. |
| The best and most successful coaches in any level of | | | | Also by having your players and team understanding |
| soccer do not select a desired formation prior to | | | | multiple formations and systems of play leads to your |
| knowing their players. They build their formation and | | | | team having above average adaptability for in-game |
| system around what their players' various skills and | | | | situations that will arise. |
| abilities are, as well as what each player brings to the | | | | Please note, by no means do I mean players should |
| team. | | | | only play 1 position, I think all players should be |
| What this means is that typically the best approach is | | | | developed to play numerous positions. But as teams |
| to develop and coach a formation based on the | | | | get older, players tend to get much more position |
| players you have, not force a pre-determined | | | | specific and developed which is more so what this |
| formation/system onto players that may not | | | | article is geared towards when tactics and strategy |
| necessarily be capable of generating success based | | | | play a larger role. |
| on their skills and abilities. | | | | So prior to your next team starting up, keep your plan |
| For example, lets say you love to play a 4-4-2 with 2 | | | | in the back of your mind, sit back and let your players |
| quick, offensive minded wide players in the midfield, | | | | show you what they have in order to dictate your |
| and 2 dynamic natural strikers upfront to try to | | | | upcoming formation/system of play. |