There is no single correct formation in football, as formations can and should adapt based on the players. While some teams commonly use certain formations like 4-3-3 or 4-4-2, research shows that overall ball possession and high-intensity running do not significantly differ between formations. Successful coaches adjust their tactics to their players rather than forcing players into rigid formations.

1. There is no correct, single formation to play in football.
Figure 1. Tactic chalkboard

2. “In the end, the formation doesn’t matter, Even Spain play
with two wide players up front but then they come inside to
play as central midfielders. In the end, we all change”
Figure 2. Thiago Motta

3. FFA NATIONAL CURRICULUM
Figure 3. 4-3-3

4. FFA NATIONAL CURRICULUM
• Game training
• Passing exercises
• Positioning games
• Playing out
• Attacking
• Defending
• Training games
References. Figure 4. FFA logo
-Football Federation Australia 2014, National Curriculum, Coaching Resources, viewed
15/4/2014, <http://www.footballaustralia.com.au/site/_content/document/FFA_National_Curriculum.pdf>.

5. Figure 5. 1872 Football Match

6. Formations of the Game
Figure 6. Formations of the game

7. English Premier League Formations
• Manchester City 4-2-2-2
• Liverpool 4-3-1-2
• Manchester United 4-2-3-1
• Cardiff City 4-1-4-1
• West Brom 4-4-1-1
References
-Football Formation, 2013-2014, viewed 15/4/2014, < http://formation-x.com/en/national/england.html>.

8. National Team Formations
• England 4-3-3
• Spain 4-2-3-1
• Italy 4-5-1
• France 4-3-3
• Netherlands 4-2-1-3
• Brazil 4-2-3-1
• Argentina 4-3-2-1
• Japan 4-2-3-1
References
-Football Formation, 2013-2014, viewed 15/4/2014, < http://formation-x.com/en/national/england.html>.

9. Germany
Figure 7 & 8. Joki Low (2010), German logo (2014)

10. Research shows
References.
-Bangsbo, J, Brito, J, Coelho-e-Silva, Figueiredo, A.J, Maia, J, Malina, R.M, Rebelo, A, Seabra, A, 2012, Anthropometric Characteristics, Physical fitness and technical performance of under-19 soccer players by competitive level of field positions, Journal of Sports
Medicine, July,DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.1055/s-0032-1323729
-Bradley, P, Carling, C, Archer, D, Robters, J, Dodds, A, Di Mascio, M, Paul ,D, Gomez Diaz, A, Pearf, D & Krustrup, P 2011, The effect of playing formation on high-intensity running and technical profiles in English FA Premier League soccer matches, Journal of Sports
Sciences, Feburary, pp. 821-830. DOI:10.1080/02640414.2011.561868
-Carling, C 2011, Influence of opposition team formation on physical and skill-related performance in a professional soccer team, European Journal of Sport Science, May, pp. 155-164. DOI:10.1080/17461391.2010.499972
• Overall ball possession did not differ between a 4-4-2, 4-3-3 and 4-5-1
• No differences were observed in high-intensity running between 4-4-2,
4-3-3 and 4-5-1
• Players in a 4-5-1 performed more high-intensity running when the
team was no in possession but less with possession when compared to
a 4-4-2 or 4-3-3
• Successful passes/Unsuccessful passes was best in a 4-4-2 compared
to 4-3-3 and 4-5-1
• No measures of physical performance across the individual playing
positions were affected by opposition team formation.

11. “I need to adjust to the players, not the other way around, Football
belongs to the players, not the coaches”.
Figure 9. Pep Guadiola (2013)

12. Refenences
• Bangsbo, J, Brito, J, Coelho-e-Silva, Figueiredo, A.J, Maia, J, Malina, R.M, Rebelo, A, Seabra, A, 2012, Anthropometric
Characteristics, Physical fitness and technical performance of under-19 soccer players by competitive level of field
positions, Journal of Sports Medicine, July,DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.1055/s-0032-1323729
• Bradley, P, Carling, C, Archer, D, Robters, J, Dodds, A, Di Mascio, M, Paul ,D, Gomez Diaz, A, Pearf, D & Krustrup, P 2011, The effect
of playing formation on high-intensity running and technical profiles in English FA Premier League soccer matches, Journal of
Sports Sciences, Feburary, pp. 821-830. DOI:10.1080/02640414.2011.561868
• Carling, C 2011, Influence of opposition team formation on physical and skill-related performance in a professional soccer
team, European Journal of Sport Science, May, pp. 155-164. DOI:10.1080/17461391.2010.499972
• Clegg, J & Futterman, M 2012, The fraudulence of soccer formations, ignore the know-it-alls on tv- after kickoff, order always fades
into chaos; the ‘4-2-3-1’, The Wall Street Journal: Life and Style, viewed 15/4/2014, <
http://online.wsj.com/news/articles/SB20001424052702304782404577490652688623764>.
• Football Federation Australia 2014, National Curriculum, Coaching Resources, viewed
15/4/2014, <http://www.footballaustralia.com.au/site/_content/document/FFA_National_Curriculum.pdf>.
• Football Formation, 2013-2014, viewed 15/4/2014, < http://formation-x.com/en/national/england.html>.
• Rosewarne, J 2011, Which tactical system is best for Australia, The Roar, viewed
15/4/2014,<http://www.theroar.com.au/2011/08/09/which-tactical-system-is-best-for-australia/>.
• World Soccer 2014, A guide to formations. <http://worldsoccer.about.com/od/skillsandtactics/tp/formations.htm>

13. References : Images
• Figure 1. Tactic Chalkboard (2013) http://paulspacey.com/2013/12/18/formations-important-youth-soccer/.
• Figure 2. Thiago Motta (2014) http://www.parissportifs.com/blog/ligue-1-le-onze-type-des-joueurs-les-plus-
en-vue-de-la-premiere-partie-de-saison-28973.html.
• Figure 3. 4-3-3 (2011) http://www.canyouplayfootball.com/soccerformationssoccertactics/4-3-3.aspx.
• Figure 4. FFA Logo (2014) http://www.footballnsw.com.au/index.php?id=514.
• Figure 5.1872 Football Match (1872) http://gottfriedfuchs.blogspot.com.au/2012/07/scotland-v-
england.html.
• Figure 6. Football Formations (2014) https://fantasyfootball.telegraph.co.uk/premierleague/how-to-play.
• Figure 7. Joki Low (2010) http://celebnish.com/jogi-low-world-cup-soccer-soon-millionaire/.
• Figure 8. German Logo (2014) http://www.myfootballfacts.com/England_v_Germany.html.
• Figure 9. Pep Guardiola (2013) http://www.h1n.net/pep-guardiola-suit-h1n.