When playing any football/soccer game, formation is the key to success. Even when you’re on the pitch yourself, it’s crucial to understand the shape of your team and the opposition’s to make sure that everything is worked out correctly. 4-2-3-1 is a common formation that has a lot of benefits to it and I truly believe can break down most opposite sides. Let’s dive a little deeper.
So 4-2-3-1 essentially means you’re running 4 defenders, 2 defensive midfielders, 3 offensive midfielders, and one striker. Of course, midfielders can multi-task their work and run both offense and defense as required by the manager or, in this situation, the player (us). Here’s the best part about this formation, piece by piece.
The four defenders help us have someone who attacks us at almost all times. The most strikers you’ll see is 3, commonly used in 3-4-3 or 4-3-3 lineups. That’s one defender for each striker and an extra to support in case one player in particular needs some extra attention or support. Breaking through four defenders typically requires risky through balls that will lead to a pushed out keeper for a clear or just an awkward position in the corner. Your defenders should be fast enough to apply pressure properly and give your team some breathing space.
As those 4 defenders work to keep the strikers in check you’ll see you have 2 midfielders applying pressure from the back. This is crucial as sometimes there’s just one pesky striker that is too much to handle alone. Also, getting past two well-positioned defensive midfielders will make it even tougher to break down the defense, afterwards. Keep this in mind.
Now let’s look at the 3 offensive midfielders. These guys are probably the best part of the team. Let’s say we have the ball at the feet of one of our defenders. They can play a simple and safe ball up to the two players in front of them. Now, rather than having to cover the run through the middle part of the field, they have options. They can work their way through if they have the space but they can also take advantage of 3 players who are ready to open themselves up. This will force the other team’s midfielders to choose a defensive stance or offensive stance. If they’re running a 3-4-3 or 4-3-3-, then it may be difficult to get past all these extra players. But if they’re passed by then it’s pretty much the defense that remains. In other situations you’ll probably get past them then you’re through to the final phase.
Your lonely striker might have a lot to do but we can easily feed the ball through to him with our 3 offensive midfielders who have now penetrated to the border of the final third and the middle of the field. Even if you don’t have an opening for the striker you can usually find some shooting ability in those offensive midfielders. It’s a great opportunity to test the keeper. It’s also a surprise that can be taken advantage of if not taken care of quick enough.
That’s the general idea behind the 4-2-3-1 formation. It’s typically tough to get past since you’re constantly being pressured by the opposition and you’re also dealing with random positions needing to be filled. Let me know if it works for you and what strong changes come to your team when you apply it yourself!
