4-4-2 SYSTEM OF PLAY
The 4-4-2 system is
the most popular in today’s game. It
consists of four defenders, four midfielders, and two forwards. At first glance one might think that this
system would limit scoring due to the lack of forward power. This is not always true. In this system, the midfielders and outside
defenders are much more active in the offensive attack, thus resulting in
goals.
Defenders in this
system can play in many different ways.
They can play in the diamond formation, much like they would in the
4-3-3 system. They can play flat across
the back of the field in a line (flat back four). They can play in an arc shape, eliminating the stopper position
and forming a double sweeper. They can
also play three flat across the field with the sweeper hanging behind in the
middle ready to clean up any mistakes.
Which way you want to set up your players depends a little bit on
personnel and comfort. As far as
responsibilities go, they are very similar to the responsibilities the
defenders have in the 4-3-3. The only
difference occurs when you play in the arc with a double sweeper or if you play
the flat back four. In these cases the
position of stopper is eliminated and you are left with two players that
fulfill the role of sweeper. Generally
you will use one of your sweepers as a strictly man marker. You pick the opposing teams best attacker
and have your extra sweeper mark him all game long. Other than that, the defensive roles are all the same.
Midfielders of the
4-4-2 consist of four athletes: The
right and left midfielders still exist and carry out the same duties as with
the 4-3-3 but a new member of the midfield moves in. This addition to the midfield plays in the middle of the field
along side the center midfielder. The
two become an offensive/defensive duo and do their best to hold the middle of
the field and control the game. Often
one player will take the role of the attacking midfielder and the other the
role of the defensive midfielder, although those labels are not branded in
stone. These two midfielders may swap
roles as long as they communicate and let the other know when a switching is
going to occur. These four midfielders
start looking a bit like the defensive diamond mentioned in the 4-3-3. Because the middle of the field is now
occupied with two central players, the defense can afford to eliminate the
stopper position, due to the excess help in the central midfield. The attacking midfielder is expected to also
step up the other way and help produce some offensive scoring power, though now
that the extra forward slot has been removed.
Forwards in this
system consist of only two athletes.
These two athletes have a very unique job. They must work together the entire game, rarely separating
themselves by more than 10-20 yards.
Together they must work to close off angles and defenders from clearing
the ball out of the defensive areas. These
two forwards must become so comfortable with each other that they can predict
where the others next move will be. It
is very important for these players to be fast and agile. It is important that these two players be
in fairly good shape. Now that there
are only two of them up front, they must pick up some of the slack for the
missing third forward. The attacking
midfielder, as mentioned above, should also help pick up some of the slack but
the responsibility of scoring goals is still that of the forward so they must
really work hard and work together to accomplish their goal.