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First published September, 2005 by
WORLD CLASS COACHNG 3404 W 122nd Terr Leawood, KS 66209

SBN 0-9746723-7-8

Copyright WORLD CLASS COACHNG 2005


All rights reserved. No parts of this publication may be reproduced, stored in a retrieval system, or
transmitted in any form or by any means, electronic, mechanical, photocopying, recording or other-
wise, without prior written permission of the publisher.

Author - David Platt
Edited by Mike Saif

Front Cover - Designed by Babcock llustration & Design.
!"#$%&'() #+
WORLD CLASS COACHING
$

HOW TO PLAY AGAINST
AND BEAT THE 4-4-2
(Including the 4-5-1)


This book sets out to illustrate how to eIIectively counter the 4-4-2 system including the 4-5-1, recognising the
strengths oI it and negating them as well as taking advantage oI the weaknesses that it has. AIter a brieI
summary oI the main components oI the 4-4-2, highlighting the strengths and weaknesses oI it, we will look at
some eIIective tactical planning to play against and beat it and also look at ways oI practicing those tactics on
the training pitch, through sessions and drills designed to eIIectively prepare in a manner to overcome the
system.

It is important to realise that each Iormation has its strengths and weaknesses and, when all is said and done,
each system has 11 players that make it and whatever the Iormation and their role within it, good players can
win a game in an instant.

Like any Iormation, the 4-4-2 can have diIIerent strategies even though it deploys its players in the same
positions on the pitch. What I have tried to achieve in this book is to look at the diIIerent strategies that may be
employed and deal with them eIIectively, retaining certain principles throughout both oIIensively and
deIensively. In this way the methods become easier to coach and also easier Ior the players to undertake on the
Iield oI play.

With the principle oI making things easier to coach, I have split the pitch up into thirds and dealt with both the
deIensive and oIIensive aspects oI overcoming the system in a progressive way. For ease oI reIerence, the 4-4-
2 system is always portrayed as the Black Team with White Numbers.

In my experience, simple instructions to players where they can carry them out on the Iield instinctively pay Iar
more dividends than looking at elaborate ways oI play. SimpliIying each issue is Iundamental iI the tactical
aspects are to be successIul.




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CHAPTER 1

THE 4-4-2 SYSTEM
&

THE 4-4-2 SYSTEM

There are many diIIerent ways to apply the 4-4-2 system on a Iootball pitch dependent on the characteristics oI
the players that teams have at their disposal, yet essentially certain aspects oI it remain constant throughout,
especially deIensively.

Although there are exceptions to every rule, ( in Euro 2004 Greece played with a back 4 when playing against 3
attackers but man-marked ), the 4-4-2 has 4 deIenders who play in a zonal Iormat with a right Iull back, 2 cen-
tre halves and a leIt Iull back operating as a unit to cover the entire width oI the Iield, shuIIling across in unison
to close oII the spaces where attackers can exploit them.















'


























In Iront oI these 4 deIenders are 4 midIielders who play in a similar manner to the deIence in terms oI shuIIling
across in unison to cover the entire width oI the Iield, though the spaces between them increases slightly in
contrast to the deIence as the prospect oI penetrating them is less dangerous than it would be Ior the back line
oI players.





























(
























































The Iront 2`s deIensive responsibilities can diIIer dependent on the coach`s opinions and the characteristics oI
them. Though more and more we are seeing that one oI them, when deIending, will drop back to aid the mid-
Iield to Iorm a more resolute 4-5-1 type oI Iormation. The position that this player takes up is vitally important
to the 4-4-2 as not only does it help the team deIensively but when the ball is won he acts as a Iulcrum Irom
which swiIt counter attacks can be eIIected.
)




























The 4-4-2 becomes more varied when it has possession oI the ball and this is why we see many teams adopting
the same Iormation but playing in diIIerent styles. Generally speaking, the 2 centre halves will remain at the
back during open play, with the Iull backs responsible Ior getting Iorward to aid the oIIensive propensity oI the
team. A conservative team would operate with only the Iull back on the side oI the ball advancing with the
opposite one coming narrower to cover against any counter attack.







*

A team such as Arsenal however, who operate at the highest level, would push both Iull backs wide and ad-
vanced, happy in the knowledge that they could mark 2v2 at the back with the 2 central midIielders oIIering
cover against the counter attack, enabling them to have Iar more penetration when the ball is switched.




























The attacking variances oI the midIield 4 depends on the characteristics oI the players. With 2 outside mid-
Iielders who are oIIensive types such as Robert Pires and Freddie Ljungberg Ior Arsenal, the 2 central players
are more likely to sit and prompt attacks and also cover against the counter attacks, whilst iI one oI the central
midIielders is an attacking one such as Frank Lampard, he would be given licence to get Iorward with one oI
the wide midIielders expected to cover against his Iorward movement.
!+

Either way there is likely to be a rotation oI the 2 central midIielders in order Ior one oI them to get on the ball
and prompt attacks.

At the Iront, the 2 strikers generally have characteristics that marry well together. Height & strength can oIten
be married with pace and/or technical ability, or a player who plays oII the shoulder oI the deIenders can be
married with a player who is adept at coming oII his man and receiving the ball to oIIer a link between midIield
and attack, such as Bergkamp Ior Henry ( Arsenal ), or Raul Ior Ronaldo ( Real Madrid ).






























!!





CHAPTER 2

STRENGTHS &
WEAKNESSES
!#

STRENGTHS OF THE SYSTEM

As we have already stated, the 4-4-2 has a deIensive stability about it which, when it is set and everyone is in
position, is very diIIicult to break down. It is almost impossible to create 1v1 situations anywhere on the pitch
due to the proximity oI the players and the cover they provide.

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The deployment oI the striker who drops into the midIield unit not only has the advantage oI bolstering this
area but he also acts as a Iulcrum Ior the counter attack when the ball is won.

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'/$ ."++$.' 6)7 6/$& 6$ )+$ ,& :"00$00,"& "- '/$ 3)22;

The oIIensive strengths oI the player who drops into the hole ( Bergkamp, Raul ) gives us problems oI who to
assign to deal with him, whether a deIender should go with him and mark tight or whether he becomes the re-
sponsibility oI our midIielders. Again we will look at how to deal with this later.






























II we close this option oII by becoming narrower in midIield then it opens up other alternatives Ior playing the
ball in behind wide Ior the Iull backs to get in or in between the Iull back and centre halI Ior the wide mid-
Iielder who will make this movement to either receive or create the space Ior the Iull back to get into.
!$





























Another advantage oI the system is that, with the Iact that there are 2 players who occupy wide positions on
each Ilank, 2v1 situations can be created without too much movement and rotation oI players needed. Overlap-
ping Iull backs can cause problems in stretching the deIensive block and this is an area which we have to deal
with eIIectively.





















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Once the ball is wide and in areas where we have to deal with crosses, we have to be mindIul oI not only the 2
strikers that the system provides but also the arrival oI a central midIielder attacking the area and the opposite
wide player tracking the back post.






























WEAKNESSES OF THE SYSTEM

As with any Iormation, as well as its strengths it also has its weaknesses.

Although the movement and attacking opportunities shown above are dangerous iI leIt unchecked, the oIIen-
sive plays that the system lends itselI to are Iairly predictable and as a consequence easier to deIend against.

Due to the Iact that the system is based on covering each other and never leaving a player isolated against an
opponent, possession oI the ball is easier to keep and by providing options Ior the man on the ball Iorwards,
square and backwards, starving the 4-4-2 system oI possession and making it work very hard to win the ball
back is easier to achieve.

The zonal way oI deIending both in midIield and at the back, shuIIling over as a unit to compress play, leaves
the system vulnerable Ior the speedily switched ball to build an attack down the weak side prior to the system
regaining its deIensive shape.

The zonal deIending oI the deIensive and midIield units means that the weak areas are in between the 2 banks
oI 4, both Ior players appearing Irom wide positions and also in the more central hole. Getting players into
these positions Iree oI a marker is easier than it would be playing against Iormations which employ an anchor
midIield player who patrols the area.

Lastly, the strength oI the system going Iorward with regard to the Ilank positions having 2 players each side
means that there is a vulnerability through the centre oI the pitch which can be exploited through swiIt counter
attacks.
!&





CHAPTER 3

DEFENDING AGAINST
THE 4-4-2
Attacking Third
!'

BALL WITH THE GOALKEEPER

When the ball is with the goalkeeper it is impossible to stop him Irom kicking the ball, either out oI his hands
or Irom a goal kick. The normal situation Ior a 4-4-2 would be to congest the area oI the pitch where the goal-
keeper is kicking to. Here we see the goal-kick being aimed at the centre Iorward (9). It is vitally important
that the worst case scenario is expected and even iI there is a large height advantage oI our deIenders, we have
to expect that we will lose the contested ball. It is important Ior the back 4 to push the strikers back towards
their own goal and as the goalkeeper begins his run up to the ball, so the deIenders should drop oII as indicated,
rebounding oII an imaginary wall so that they are coming Iorward to meet the ball thus enabling the Iorward
momentum oI the run to gain extra height when contesting Ior the ball. In this instance we see 6 eIIecting this
with the other deIenders getting back in to cover the potential oI their 9 winning the ball and Ilicking it on Ior
10 and 7 to make runs beyond us.




























OI course, the opposition may wish to play out Irom the back as a strategy and then the situation changes in our
set up. II we Ieel we are Iavourites to win the ball iI it is kicked long then a high press can be eIIected to try to
Iorce them to do so rather than allowing them to play out Irom the back and set up their attacks. The Iollowing
2 diagrams show the kind oI set up that a 4-3-3 and a 3-5-2 would utilise in order to Iorce this issue. The prin-
ciples remain the same regardless oI the Iormation used to do this, that oI ensuring that we have suIIicient
cover at the back should the long ball be actioned, at the same time as having players in Iorward positions who
threaten each short option, understanding that the distance they can cover whilst the ball is travelling can be
such so as to arrive at the receiving player as the ball arrives.
!(

!)

It could be that the opposition are so adept at playing out Irom the back that our Iull press does not deter them
Irom doing so, or we may have identiIied that we want them to do this as we believe that gives us the best
chance oI winning the ball. When the ball is in the deIensive third oI the opposition we must realise that the
chances oI them being able to hurt us Irom here are nil unless we make a massive error. This being the case we
must look not necessarily to deIend the situation but to take the initiative in a manner which makes the opposi-
tion play in a predictable way, ie; where we want them to go. II all our players are tuned in to this strategy then
we have a very high chance oI predicting where we will win the ball back and thus be able to counter attack in
a very eIIective way.

WINNING THE BALL BACK WITH A 4-3-3

Setting our team up in the Iollowing way invites the opposition to play out Irom the back. The 4-4-2 would
adopt this type oI attacking shape when the goalkeeper has the ball in an eIIort to stretch our players, limiting
our chances oI pressing as a unit.





























The decision oI where to start to engage the opposition when the ball is played to 5 Irom the goalkeeper is the
choice oI each coach and will depend on the characteristics and quality oI the opposition we are playing
against. Regardless oI this Iirst pressing line, the actions oI the players remain the same throughout. Here we
have decided to press high when the ball is played to 5. As we said beIore, we need to take the initiative and
Iorce them to play where we want the ball to go, in this case to 2 where we will be able to press as a unit and
limit the options that 2 has. It is Iar easier to press the ball when it is wide than it is when central as the options
Ior the man on the ball are much less due to the touchline, and the distance Irom the player and the Iar side oI
the pitch. Any cross-Iield ball attempted is likely to be intercepted, or at least closed down as it arrives with the
receiver.

When the ball is played to 5 the players move as indicated. The rotation runs oI 4&8 are typical oI the central
midIield pairing in a 4-4-2. 4`s run is designed to take players away and open up a passing lane into 9`s Ieet
and also to create a space Ior 8 to come into and receive the ball. It is vitally important that our midIield unit
does not get aIIected by this rotation as the last thing we want is Ior our 8 to Iollow the run and with one pass
into 9 they have negated our pressure. 9`s run to close down is arced to negate the square pass to 6 and also to
make the pass into 8 diIIicult as he is in line with the ball and 8`s run. It is vital that this run is aggressive to
make sure that 5 hurries his pass. Due to having an extra midIield player centrally, the run oI their 4 can be
!*

picked up by our anchor midIielder (4). The back 4 would begin to edge towards the leIt side oI the pitch as we
attack ready to move when the ball is passed to 2 who our 11 has leIt unopposed in order to make that the most
inviting option Ior 5 to play.



























Once the ball has been passed where we wanted it to go we can then begin to attempt to win the ball back
knowing that we have been successIul in getting the ball wide to 2. The Iar side oI the pitch is virtually inac-
cessible Ior him and so we can push our team across to close oII all the short options. The angle oI 11`s run is
such that he gives 2 the only option oI playing down the line to 7 who is aggressively marked by 3. As beIore,
we must cater Ior the worst possible scenario so the back 4 shuIIle across accordingly to aIIord cover to each
other and mark the zones where we can be exploited. Our midIield unit must also shuIIle across to eIIect a
screen Ior any ball played to Ieet, retaining a compactness relative to the back 4. 7 must drop back to aIIord the
cover on the weak side as although we are showing outside, as beIore we must expect 2 to get inside oI our 11.
#+

Here we can see the Iinal positions oI our trap`. 11`s angle oI closing down should have ensured that the only
part oI the pitch that 2 can see is down the leIt side. His position should be such that iI a line was to be drawn
through the ball and him it would continue and hit the near post. 9 is stopping the pass back to 5 and 10 is
threatening the square ball into 8. II 2 steps inside then 11 can be aggressive in his attempt to tackle, win the
ball and counter attack. II 2 takes the option oI passing to 7 down the line then 3 can attempt to intercept the
pass or win it aggressively and counter.



























Should 3 win the ball then his counter attacking opportunities are vast with 4, 10, 7,8 & 9 all available Ior a
Iirst time pass to start the counter.
#!

In an ideal world the trap that has been laid will capture the opposition and allow us to win the ball back, how-
ever, we have to understand that in reality, number 2 may well be able to switch the ball to the other side oI the
pitch and thus we have to then cater Ior this scenario. II this happens and they are successIul in switching play
to the other side it is imperative that we retreat as a team, acknowledge their escape` and get in position
quickly to now eIIect our press Irom the mid third. II 7 was to chase the ball then this could disrupt our deIen-
sive shape as they would have too much space in which they could play Iorward whilst our units are shuIIling
across.

























Retreating initially buys us time to regroup and Iocus on the midIield press.
##

II 2 was to panic and try to switch the ball in one rather than going through 8, 7 could attempt to intercept and
iI successIul be in on goal. The other players behind this action should not gamble on this happening and im-
plement the same movements as beIore in case 7 is unsuccessIul in intercepting the ball.




























II 7 does gamble and is not successIul then more space has to be conceded and the midIield press would be
actioned Irom deeper into the mid third, with the central midIielders being responsible Ior going to meet the
ball with 3. Due to being a player down in our deIensive block (7), 9 drops deeper to provide temporary cover
with 7 taking 9`s place at the top oI the team.
#$

These actions now set us up to eIIect our Mid third press.



























The principles remain the same in terms oI deIending in the attacking third regardless oI the Iormation. With a
3-5-2 Ior instance, there are subtle diIIerences in positions but the aims remain constant.

Low press to invite them to play out from the goalkeeper.
#%

Movement to force 5 to play to 2.


























Movement to trap 2 on the touchline.
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2 trapped and shown outside to the touchline.




























Playing with a back 3 as opposed to a back 4 also gives the Iollowing alternative whereby the 3 central deIend-
ers are required to shuIIle all the way across with the opposite wing back applying the cover. The advantages
oI this tactic are that the wing back on the side oI the ball can deIend higher up the pitch and the central mid-
Iield unit can better apply the screen in Iront oI the deIenders. However, this is more diIIicult to coach and also
harder Ior the players to perIorm in unison oIten leading to gaps between them that can be exploited.

Forcing 5 to play to 2.
#'

Movement to trap 2 on the touchline



























2 trapped and shown outside to the touchline.
#(

Ball switched through 8.


























Attempt to pinch.


#)

Ready to effect mid third press.



























As you can see, the principles oI deIending in the attacking third remain constant whatever the Iormation cho-
sen. Personally I believe that playing 4 deIenders in the back line is better and less likely to open up areas that
can be exploited, but the balance oI the wing backs when deIending with 3 players allows that unit to operate in
a similar manner to a back 4. Another Iactor to consider iI you are aware oI the oppositions player`s character-
istics is which side oI the pitch you would preIer them to play down. For instance, Thierry Henry oI Arsenal is
a player who is at his best when he receives the ball down the leIt touchline and starts to come inside with it.
By setting your team up to encourage the goalkeeper to play out to the right side, and then attempting to keep it
there, you will limit the amount oI times he receives the ball during 90 minutes on his Iavoured leIt side.
#*

So the principles we are aiming to achieve when deIending in the attacking third are:

~ Decide whether to Iorce them to kick long or invite them to play Irom the back
~ Decide which side we want them to play down
~ Make play predictable by leaving them one option oI playing wide to a Iull back
~ Do not lose shape by their rotation in midIield
~ Once they Iall into the `trap`, work hard to make sure they don`t escape
~ Force them to play outside when closing down *
~ Cater Ior the worst possible scenario
~ Have players ready to counter attack ( in transition mode mentally )
~ Respect their position iI they escape - retreat and apply a new press

Showing outside or inside when the ball is wide is a matter oI preIerence. As we mentioned beIore, the
4-4-2 system is Iairly predictable oIIensively but is at its most dangerous when the ball is central around
the halI way line and there is movement Irom wide players coming in Irom the touchline to create space
Ior themselves and the Iull back who can get Iorward. Furthermore, the striker coming oII his marker to
appear in the hole and make the 4-5-1 is also a danger. By showing them outside and restricting the
amount oI times they can get the ball into those areas, we negate much oI their oIIensive propensity. It
is possible to show inside against the 4-4-2 but iI the team playing it is a Iluid one then this is their
strongest oIIensive play. It is a misconception that a team which plays with 3 central midIielders should
show inside to its numerical superiority as the arrival oI players behind this unit ( striker wide play-
ers ) actually swings that numerical superiority in Iavour oI the 4-4-2.


$+





CHAPTER 4

PRACTICES FOR
DEFENDING IN THE
ATTACKING THIRD
$!

The Iirst thing we need to practice and get the players into the mindset oI doing is making play predictable, that
is getting the opposition to play where we want them to play.

The Iollowing is a sequence oI sessions which can be used to Iirmly establish the principles oI this aspect oI
our tactical plan, building up to coaching the whole game plan Ior deIending in the attacking third in a Iull size
game, 11 v 11.


































As a warm up split the players into equal teams and play in team Iormation iI numbers per-
mit.
Players transIer the ball to each other via their hands and are not allowed to run with the ball.
The ball can only be won through interception.
The objective is to get a player into the box to receive the ball.
1
2
$#

Progress to the same drill but playing normal Iootball.
The objective is to score in the goal.
Set up the drill as shown with the cones being circa 3 yards apart Ior each goal.
The objective is to score in a goal which is not deIended by the Goalie.
Cannot score in a goal deIended by the goalie.

3
4
$$

Start by R passing ball into goalkeeper as shown.
Objective is to stop them playing through coned goal ( appx 4 yards wide )
Black 7 & 11 have 2 touches only.
When the ball is won, counter attack to score.

Introduce players as shown.
Objective is to stop ball being played into 9.
Black 7 & 11 are now Iree Irom touch restriction.
When ball is won, counter attack to score.
By building this aspect oI play up Irom the warm up right through to now progressing to the Iull team in a
game situation we can practice the attitudes and the tactical issues surrounding a key part oI our strategy. In
practice 1 & 2 we are establishing the attitude oI Iorcing play down one side oI the pitch opposite to the side
where our goal is. ( It is important to change round at halI time to ensure that both sides oI our team are prac-
ticing at showing outside ). Practice 3 deals again with showing down one side oI the pitch, this time with the
goalkeeper deIending the goal down the side oI the pitch where the ball is. The importance oI communication
Irom the goalkeeper through the team is important to let the players know where to show the opposition. This
is also a very good drill to practice counter attacking. As soon as the ball is won, this is the best chance to
score through a goal unguarded by the Goalkeeper. Practice 4 deals with the Iront 3 and midIield 3 eIIectively
keeping the play down one side oI the pitch. ( Black 7 & 11 have 2 touches as iI they ran with the ball this
would present an unrealistic scenario ). Bringing in the Iull backs Ior practice 5 negates the unrealistic scenario
and also makes them practice being aggressive to close down the option.

From here, it is a natural progression to develop this into a Iull game, 11 v 11.


5
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CHAPTER 5

DEFENDING AGAINST
THE 4-4-2
Mid Third
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In the interest oI progression, the Iollowing tactical analysis oI deIending in the mid third continues Irom our
deIensive work in the attacking third, whereby the opposition have successIully managed to switch the ball in
to the position shown. Clearly, a mirror image oI these diagrams would occur should they have got out on the
opposite side and bypassed our attacking third pressure. With the ball in this position there are several issues
which we must ensure we take care oI. In the chapter relating to strengths and weaknesses oI the 4-4-2, we
spoke about the striker who comes oII the back players and appears in the hole thus making the system 4-5-1.
The Iollowing diagram shows a 4-3-3 system deIending the situation in the mid third. Our 7 closes the ball
down at an angle which makes the opposition 3 have the option solely oI playing the ball down the line towards
their 11. Again, iI a line was to be drawn through the ball and our 7 it should dissect the near post oI the goal.
II 3 attempts to move inside with the ball then 7 should attempt to tackle. Our 2, knowing that the probable
pass is down the touchline to their 11, must be in a position whereby he can be aggressive into the tackle as the
ball arrives. Our back 4 react to the position oI the ball and the angle oI closing down by 7 by ensuring that all
the zones are covered between them. 10`s position is crucial. Here he is able to close down their 4 Irom the
Iront should 2 manage to get the ball inside to him, but he is also able to screen any potential pass into their 10
and compact the space that 10 could drop oII into between him and our 5. Communication between 5 and 10 is
imperative should 10 start to try to Iind space between them. Under no circumstances should 5 Iollow 10 prior
to the ball being passed as this would leave a hole in the zonal deIence which could be exploited. The rest oI
our midIield balance oII accordingly. 9`s position squeezes the space that 4 needs to receive the ball, Iorcing
him Iorwards iI he wishes to receive and thereIore closer to our 10 who can then close down easier. 11 takes
up a halI and halI position, he is in transition mode, ready to be available Ior the counter attack iI we win the
ball but also able to drop and cover should they manage to escape our pressure.



























II the ball is transIerred inside to 4 then there is an easy covering movement oI players to eIIectively close the
situation down. As the ball is passed Irom 3 to 4, 10 closes down Irom the Iront, 9 Irom behind, with 4 & 8
shuIIling across to cover the space that 10 is leaving where their 10 could come oII and receive. 7 & 2 tuck
back round to apply cover and 11, recognising the need to Iavour a deIensive position, starts to edge into a bet-
ter covering position in order to help out should the ball be switched to 7.
$'

























It is possible to be much bolder with our mid third press in the 4-3-3 Iormation. In the above analysis, our right
winger (7), was required to track back and close down their 3 when he had advanced. By allowing their 3 to go
Iorward and leaving the midIield to deal with him, 7 can stay high and wide and create a problem Ior the oppo-
sition on the counter attack. This is a tactic that Luis Figo employs Ior both Portugal & Real Madrid. To cover
this bolder tactic, 11 applies more cover than previously.



























II the ball is passed inside to 4 now, 11`s movement has to be more dramatic than beIore to get back into a cov-
ering position, though in all probability the threat would not be so great as they would have had to deal with the
kind oI position that Figo takes up.
$(


























Should 4 manage to switch the ball quickly out to their 7, the whole team must react accordingly and get across
to the side oI the ball as quickly as possible, retaining the distances between the units so there are no holes be-
tween players that can be exploited.



























This ensures the team is capable oI then being able to successIully deIend in the Iinal third.



$)


























With the 3-5-2, although the Iormation seems radically diIIerent Irom the 4-3-3, the tactical principles oI what
we are trying to achieve remain the same. Positions oI players on the pitch relative to the ball are virtually the
same even though the personnel may be changed. The Iirst diagram shows a bold mid Iield press Irom a 3-5-2,
whereby the right wing back (2) closes down the man on the ball (3) and the back 3 shuIIle across to take care
oI the advanced players. The leIt wing back (3) has to drop to aIIord the cover which essentially gives us our
back 4 conIiguration again. The second diagram shows a more cautious approach to deIending the situation,
with the right wing back marking their leIt sided attacker (11) and the back 3 remaining central. Again we
have our back 4 conIiguration but this time the leIt wing back (3) can remain higher and ready to counter attack
should we win the ball, supporting the midIield which has had to shuIIle across to meet the man with the ball.
Which approach you decide to take iI you are playing with a 3-5-2 will depend on a number oI Iactors includ-
ing strength oI the opposition, characteristics oI your players and also the characteristics oI their players.
$*

In the strengths section oI the 4-4-2 we noted that the 2v1 situations which are created naturally wide need to
be dealt with. When the ball is with the central midIield player in a 4-4-2 system, the Ilank player coming in-
side can cause problems iI we are not aware oI how to deal with him. Naturally, the Iull back marking the wide
player will Iollow him inside iI he starts to go there, but this leaves a big hole which he has vacated Ior the Iull
back to exploit, Iorcing his marker to track all the way with him. Whilst this should be expected oI him, the
likelihood is that his characteristics are not as suited to deIending as much as those oI the Iull back and Iurther-
more, he will be in a race Ior the ball and going back towards his own goal.



























The back 4 must stay in its zonal Iormation and not be dragged out oI position by this movement. In this way,
(2) easily intercepts the pass in behind Ior the leIt Iull back (3) oI the opposition. Good communication is
%+

essential to ensure that the space which (11) is going into is compacted so that any successIul pass into him is
closed down immediately.




























%!





CHAPTER 6

PRACTICES FOR
DEFENDING IN THE MID
THIRD
%#

1
Start by 9 serving the deIenders.
The midIield 3 and 2 wide attackers must stop the black team (442) Irom scoring in
the central goal.
When the grey team win the ball, they score by getting it to 9 quickly ( replicating a
counter attack.
This is exactly the same but the grey team can score in the areas to the side oI the
central cones by getting a player in there with the ball.
This promotes the bolder deIensive situation mentioned in the analysis regarding a
Figo type player who stays high and wide and does not deIend.
2
%$

3
This is exactly the same session as beIore but Ior the 3-5-2 when it deIends in a
cautious manner.
Introduce the extra players to replicate the bolder approach to deIending the situa-
tion.
4
%%

5
Start as shown.
This is a drill to practice the zonal movements oI the back 4.
Black Full backs (2&3) can only serve ie; can not go into shaded area.
When grey team win the ball they score by getting it to 9.
6
Progress to 1 Full back able to join in.
%&

7
Same session but Ior the 3-5-2.
And the progression into the Iull back joining in.
8
%'





CHAPTER 7

DEFENDING AGAINST
THE 4-4-2
Defensive Third
%(

Once the ball is in our deIensive third our Iocus is to stop the ball Irom being delivered into the penalty area or
allowing a shot at goal. Players must work exceptionally hard to win their 1 on 1 duels, at the same time as
aIIording each other cover and doubling up on the man with the ball. Any slip up by the man closing the ball
down could result in a goal being conceded so it is imperative that at all times there is a player helping who can
immediately challenge the ball should the Iirst marker be beaten. Here 3 is closing the ball down but is covered
by 8 who can step in to challenge should 3 be beaten. 11 is also Iiling back to help but must be aware oI the
right Iull back (2) who is supporting the play. II we can Iorce the opposition to play backwards here then we
have done our jobs.

























As we mentioned in the strengths oI the 4-4-2 section oI this book, the natural way the Iormation gets into 2v1
situations wide needs addressing and catering Ior. The next diagrams show an overlapping Iull back, in this
case 2, in two diIIerent situations. The Iirst is a basic overlap which can be catered Ior in the manner shown
with 3 Iollowing the pass Irom 7 and challenging the advancing 2.
%)

II the space is created Ior the overlap by 7 dribbling inside with the ball then 3 has to Iollow him which leaves
11 having to track all the way back with 2 to challenge. This dribbling movement inside by 7 eIIects the other
players as shown who must start to come over to apply some cover. Allowing 7 to come inside has a greater
eIIect on our positions than iI he is shown outside so the preIerence would be Ior 2 negate this option by Iorc-
ing 7 to go down the line, ie; outside.


























II they do get into positions where they can cross Irom then this has to be dealt with. In this instance, 3 must
work very hard to stop the cross, making himselI as big a barrier as possible Ior the ball to get round. There are
two trains oI thoughts on marking in the penalty area, some coaches preIer to mark zones as seen here...
%*

...but in my opinion, space will not score a goal and I believe that attacking players in the penalty area should
be marked tighter as depicted here.



























As we have seen beIore, the 3-5-2 Iormation has no real changes in regard to deIending in the mid third and
even less so when deIending in the deIensive third.
&+





CHAPTER 8

PRACTICES FOR
DEFENDING IN THE
DEFENSIVE THIRD
&!

1
Start as shown or to opposite side. As ball is played, wide player on
that side can track back to help. DeIending team scores by winning
the ball and passing it to the server who started the session.
2
Server passes to diIIerent areas as seen. Object is to stop crosses, shots
and generally keep the ball out oI the goal.
&#





CHAPTER 9

ATTACKING AGAINST
THE 4-4-2
Defending Third

&$

As we said when discussing the strengths oI the 4-4-2 system, it has good cover in all areas Ior all players and
thereIore we need to look to spread them as a team so that this cover becomes less eIIective. Dependent on the
characteristics oI the players at your disposal, it may be that you wish to get the ball into the opponents halI oI
the pitch at the earliest possible time and this tactic is used by many oI the World`s top teams today. However,
Ior the purpose oI this book and the way it is written, again I have split the attacking play up into the thirds oI
the pitch as done beIore with deIending.

In most cases until you get to the top level, most teams will wish to press with a high line against you making it
diIIicult to play out Irom the back and try and get through them. However, with some simple tactical position-
ing oI your players, this high pressing line actually makes it easier to stretch the 4-4-2 initially and thus negate
a great deal oI the cover that it has.

When the goalkeeper has the ball, by being too close initially as a back line, whether a 4 or a 3, makes it easier
Ior the two Iorward players oI the 4-4-2 to take care oI each eventuality by making small movements as the ball
is played.



























What we need to do is to spread out as a back line and also give depth by pushing the wide players oI this de-
Iensive line Iorward at steep angles, looking to get beyond the line that the strikers are on.
&%

II we play with a back 3 then similar width and depth needs to be applied in order to stretch the opposition
strikers and limit there capability oI closing us down.
&&

This spreading out as a back line has to be adopted as a principle by the rest oI the team also so that no help Ior
the strikers can come Irom the midIield unit oI the 4-4-2 initially. With 7 & 11 pushed on high & wide and 9
occupying a central position, the whole back 4 oI the 4-4-2 is occupied by 3 oI our players. 8 & 10 also adopt
wider positions in the midIield zone to again limit the 4-4-2`s wide midIielders ( 7&11 ) Irom pushing on ini-
tially to close down our deIensive line.



























Similar positions and principles are adopted when playing with a back 3.
&'

With our back line and attacking shape now in place we can begin to play out Irom the back. In the deIending
section oI this book we spoke about the ball being easier to press when it goes wide. ThereIore, iI we can it is
preIerable to pass the ball Iorward and avoid a pass to a Iull back. Clearly this cannot always be done though a
direct through Irom the goalkeeper to the Iull back should be discouraged as the travel time oI the ball and the
controlling oI it by the Iull back enables the opposition to not only close the ball down easier immediately but
also gives it time to get set behind the player who closed down and thus make it very diIIicult to be penetrative.

With the ball passed to 5 in this example, the movement oI the players as shown can eIIect the 4-4-2 central
midIielders..



























..and can create a simple pass into the Ieet oI 9, bypassing the midIield who can then support the attack.























&(

As we said beIore, passing slightly Iorwards oI square to 2 makes it easier Ior the 4-4-2 to press that situation
so 2 should be encouraged to push on, making their 11 track backwards. II this happens, 7`s initial Iorward
movement is vital in that he Iirst makes 3 mark him and drop oII, beIore checking back inside. This gives 3 a
problem in that the run oI 2 coming Iorward needs to be dealt with but also the run inside oI 7 needs to be
checked also. With good timing oI the movement oI 2 & 7 in unison, one oI them should get Iree oI his man.



























II 3 stays in his position to cope with the run oI 2 then 7 becomes Iree to receive and turn and start to attack the
back 4.
&)

II 3 does Iollow 7 because he has become his marker then this opens up the space Ior the ball to be played into
the run oI the advancing 2. Though 11 is tracking him, the deIensive characteristics oI this player are likely to
not be as good as those oI 3 and in any case he is tracking back towards his own goal.


























II this kind oI tactic was proving to be successIul then it is possible that the coach oI the 4-4-2 would drop his
team oII and have an initial pressing position deeper, keeping his team more compact. This makes longer
passes into the Iront more diIIicult and dangerous to eIIect and thus a more cautious approach, playing through
the midIield is required. 5`s options on the ball when this deeper pressing position is adopted are shown here.
By Iar the best situation to be in is to have the ball with 4 and, regardless oI which option 5 chooses initially,
the compact 4-4-2 will only become vulnerable once we have the ball in a central midIield position with space
and time in which to play. In that area we have 3 players against their 2 so Ireeing one oI them up should be
easier Ior us to execute.




&*

With a back 3 it becomes slightly diIIerent in that by spreading out the wide centre halI receives the initial ball
on the touchline when the strikers are narrow as they are here. Movement oI the midIielders to receive and
prompt attacks at the same time as opening up passing lanes Ior the ball to be played direct into the Iront now
need to be eIIected.





























In principle, the nearest player to the ball should move away diagonally to create the space Ior someone to
come into and receive. The movements shown below enable 5 to have the option oI either square to 8 who can
start an attack in much the same way as with the 4-3-3 when we get the ball into the central midIield area or
direct into 9 Irom where the attack can be supported.























'+

Should the 2 strikers begin to widen their starting positions to negate the back 3 Irom playing out, 4 can quickly
travel with the ball through the gap in much the same way as Franco Baresi used to do Ior Italy in 1990. Again,
small movements by the central midIield players makes this option easier to create more space Ior him to come
into.




























Once this has happened it is imperative that the wide centre halves come back inside very quickly in order to
cover the oIIensive run oI 4, making sure that the 2 strikers are marked in the event oI the ball being lost.
Again, we have the ball in an optimum position Irom where we can begin to start to hurt the opposition.
'!





CHAPTER 10

PRACTICES FOR
ATTACKING FROM THE
DEFENSIVE THIRD

'#

1
Start by serving the ball into the goalkeeper and then the object is to get a player
on the ball into the area shaded in Iront oI the server.
Same drill with a back 3.
2
'$

3
Start by playing the ball into the goalkeeper. When 5 receives Irom the GK, 8
makes the movement shown to create the passing lane Ior 5 to pass to 7 who has
gone Iorward beIore checking back inside. 7 lays the ball oII Ior 4 who supports
and passes into the channel Ior 2 to overlap and make the cross. 11, 9 & 8 attack
the cross. This can also be used as a physical drill and should be repeated both
sides.
As beIore only 9 makes the run to receive Irom 5.
4
'%





CHAPTER 11

ATTACKING AGAINST
THE 4-4-2
Mid Third
'&

The optimum position Ior us to be in is having our central anchor midIielder on the ball with space and time to
choose the various options he has available. The 4-4-2`s weak area is in between the midIield and the deIence
so by having a central midIielder on the ball and in space in the middle oI the pitch, this draws the 4-4-2`s cen-
tral midIielders to the ball and opens up the spaces between the 2 banks oI Iour. Although crude in its outlook,
the shaded area in the Iollowing diagram is the area where we want to get a player receiving the ball as this will
make the back 4 constrict and thus open up spaces wide which can be exploited, or one oI the back 4 will be
Iorced to come out and meet the ball, thus opening up the zonal deIence and creating a space Ior our striker to
run into.

























The movement oI 7 here Iirst attracts the 4-4-2`s leIt back to mark him and then he checks inside, either taking
3 with him or Ireeing himselI Irom his marker iI 3 remains to check the overlap oI 2.


''

This run gives 4 two options oI either passing into 7`s Ieet who can turn and run at the deIence or eIIect a cross
or, iI 3 Iollows him to mark him the channel is opened Ior 2 to get into and cross.


























With only playing with one striker it is vitally important that when the ball is in this position the lone striker
looks to get behind the 4-4-2`s deIence in order to stretch it and create the space Ior players to appear into the
area we have already spoken about. Clearly, with a good run Irom the lone striker it is also possible Ior the
player on the ball to make a pass which is penetrative and gets him in on goal.


'(

Another option Ior the player on the ball is to run diagonally with it beIore eIIecting a switch oI play. The im-
portance oI initially running with ball gives time Ior the leIt back, 3, and other players to get into positions
where any subsequent pass is more penetrative.



























What is vitally important in whatever phase oI play we are in is to make sure that we are covered against the
eventuality oI a counter attack. As the ball has been switched in this instance, every player not directly in-
volved with the attacking play must think about his position in terms oI covering against the counter attack.
The area shaded shows the zone that is most dangerous in terms oI being counter attacked but with players be-
hind the ball and another 2 players, 4 & 10 eIIecting a screen in Iront oI this the threat oI the counter attack is
negated.
')

When playing with a 3 at the back, the chances oI creating 2v1 situations wide are limited so the movement oI
the strikers to create space Ior each other has to be utilised, giving more options to the man on the ball.
'*





CHAPTER 12

PRACTICES FOR
ATTACKING FROM THE
MID THIRD
(+

1
4 starts by passing the ball into 7 who has come inside. 7 lays the ball oII Ior 8 to
pass into the channel Ior the overlapping 2 to cross Ior the players arriving in the
penalty area as shown.
2
4 starts by passing to 8 who gets the ball out oI his Ieet and passes over the top Ior
the run oI 9 peeling oII.
(!

3
Practice Ior attacking movements. When opposition win possession they score by
getting the ball into 9 in the shaded area.
4
Play must develop through the thirds oI the pitch. To attack the Iinal third a player
must receive the ball in the end shaded area (grey team). For the black team, to
attack the Iinal third they need to get the ball into #10.
(#





CHAPTER 13

ATTACKING AGAINST
THE 4-4-2
Final Third

($

Once you get into the Iinal third against any Iormation the most important thing to possess is players who have
the characteristics to see things quickly and execute them even Iaster. Creativity is a characteristic which needs
to be nurtured rather than taught. Players will need to have good control skills and Ieet which can manipulate
the ball quickly and eIIiciently as the space in the Iinal third is less and the deIending more desperate. Never-
theless, there are certain criteria which will undoubtedly help to open up the spaces to be exploited. It is essen-
tial that once we get the ball into the positions we looked at getting into Irom the Mid third, in order to unbal-
ance and spread the deIensive prowess oI the 4-4-2 we must look to get behind it both centrally and wide in an
eIIort to ensure that both options cannot be negated simultaneously.

Here, 7 has the ball in a position aIter he has come inside to allow the overlap oI 2. The opposition leIt back, 3,
has to come inside in order to close the hole oII which 7 can dribble through, enabling the option oI 2 continu-
ing to overlap and receive the ball in behind the back line to cross. 9 must look to get behind the back line also,
either by making a run in behind 6 to receive the ball slipped through on the other side oI 6, or by spinning oII
around 5 Ior the clipped ball over the top. Playing to Ieet and in Iront oI the back line causes no problems
whatsoever to the 4-4-2. It is also worth mentioning here the positions oI the deIending players to negate the
counter attack. Counter attacks are most dangerous when they emanate Irom the centre oI the pitch so the
box` that you can see Iormed by 4,10,5 & 6 deIends this area exceptionally well. 4 & 10 screen the 2 strikers,
enabling 5 & 6 to not have to mark too tightly as the ball into their Ieet is diIIicult due to the screening. Any
clearance Irom the 4-4-2 and 4 or 10 can win the ball and sustain the attack, whereas the loose marking posi-
tions oI 5 & 6 make them Iavourites in a race Ior any ball played over the top into the space Ior 9 & 10 to run
into. In this instance 3 is ready to mount an attack down the opposite Ilank should the 4-4-2 make us switch
play, leaving 5 & 6 essentially 2v2 at the back. Playing 2v2 at the back in this manner is a tactic employed by
many top teams, though iI more cover is wanted it is easy Ior 3 to drop deeper and apply it.



























It is a similar scenario when the ball is on the other side and with 8 who has made the Iorward run Irom mid-
Iield. 3`s advanced position now becomes important as this enables 8 to have options both central and wide
which are penetrative and beyond the back line oI the 4-4-2.







(%

Once the ball is played behind the 4-4-2 in wide areas the delivery oI the cross has to be good and also the runs
the players make and the areas they run into within the penalty area have to be correct. It is essential that one
player makes an aggressive run beyond the near post to either get a touch to have an eIIort on goal or attract
both a deIender and more importantly the goalkeeper over to that side oI the goal so that the other players have
a simple task oI scoring should they have an opportunity. Equally important is the area that 7 is running into,
tracking the back post to ensure that the ball stays in play and does not driIt past the goal and out Ior a goal
kick.
(&





CHAPTER 14

PRACTICES FOR
ATTACKING IN THE
FINAL THIRD
('

1
Start as shown. The objective is to get a player to receive the ball in the shaded
area behind the back line oI deIenders. II the deIenders win the ball they score
by getting the ball into the area in Iront oI R`.
2
Each team has to get the ball into the middle area where 7 & 11 play Ior both
teams. Once the ball is in this area with 7 in this example, 2 can make his Ior-
ward run with the other players making whatever runs they wish to.
((

3
Place 2 Iull size goals in the position shown not Iacing each other and have goal-
keepers manning them. The rest oI the players play as normal and can score in
either goal. This promotes switching play as when one area ( goal ) is well de-
Iended, a good switch to the other side oI the Iield can create the opportunity to
score.
()

CONCLUSION

When all is said and done, on the Iield oI play there are 11 against 11 and any Iormation can cause problems
Ior another dependent on who is in the ascendancy and the quality oI the players on the pitch.

The suggestions in this book are an opinion on where the 4-4-2 system can be beaten and how that can be
achieved, though individual ability aligned with many other aspects are required to do so. Employing 3 central
midIielders against the 4-4-2 system is in my opinion a major Iactor in overcoming it, though I believe that this
extra man must operate in Iront oI the back line as an anchor player, looking to get on the ball and prompt
attacks and always being available to receive it when a team-mate is closed down. Good rotation and
movement oI the players around him will ensure he has time and space to receive and then play the correct pass
in order to starve the 4-4-2 oI the ball, make the players who Iorm the system tired and wait Ior the right
moment when the penetrative pass can be played. OI course, this player can operate Iurther advanced oI the
other 2 in the hole behind the Iront player/s, however, this creates two problems. One is the Iact that even iI we
have a player in the hole we need to get the ball to him and Iurthermore, iI he is already in the area between the
4-4-2`s back line and midIield unit, the likelihood is that he will be marked iI not catered Ior by the Iormation.
By having players appear in the hole Irom wider positions, this not only creates space on the Ilanks that can be
exploited but also probably produces a man in that position at the right time Iree oI any marker.

I hope that this book has given you an insight into the strengths and weaknesses oI the 4-4-2 system and has
also stimulated your own mind into thinking about ways to counter and overcome it. Soccer is a game oI
opinions and any coach must continue to develop his/her theories alongside the progression oI the modern
game iI they are to stay ahead oI the rest.

HopeIully the chapters within the book will have given you an insight Irom where you can choose your own
methods and ways oI deIeating the 4-4-2.




(*

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)+

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