Below we break down a variety of youth soccer formations for 7 vs 7, 9 vs 9 and 11 vs 11 soccer games. We will start with 7 vs 7 and work our way down to 11 vs 11. Learn the advantages and disadvantages of each formation so you can pick ones that best suit your team and coaching style.

Please note: The goalie is position # 1 in all of the diagrams listed below. In US Soccer, positions are now given numbers in order to help explain their roles. Before diving into the formations, make sure that you familiarize yourself with the #'s of youth soccer positions.

2-3-1 Formation for 7 vs 7

The 2 -3-1 Formation above is for 7 vs. 7 soccer games.

Below are the advantages and disadvantages of this formation:

ADVANTAGES

• It provides good width into the attack with players #7 and #11 higher up the field.
• Player #4 and #5 are in excellent central starting positions to provide pressure and to cover for each other.
• Player #8 has multiple options to attack with a penetrating pass to players #7, #11, #9.

DISADVANTAGES

• If players #7 and #11 don’t work hard up and down the field, your team can get exposed on the outside of the field as players #4 and #5 will get dragged out wide.
• If players #7 and #11 don’t work hard up and down the field, players #9 and #8 will lack options to play wide in the attack.
• If playing against a team with multiple center-midfielders, player #8 can get overwhelmed in defending.

3-2-1 Formation for 7 vs 7

The 3-2-1 Formation above for 7 vs 7 soccer games. This formation is a bit more defensive and good to use if you anticipate the opponent is very strong on the attack. Here are some advantages and disadvantages of this formation:

ADVANTAGES

• It provides three defenders in the back (players #2, #3, #5), making this a safer formation against teams that are potent in attack.
• It provides two center-midfielders (players #8, #6), which helps provide defensive stability in the center of the field Allows multiple options to attack through the center of the field (players #6, #8, #9).
• Excellent formation for teaching playing out of the back.

DISADVANTAGES

• Players #2 and #3 provide the width for the attack as well. If they aren’t able to get forward into the attack fast enough, then your team will lack width. Player #9 must be mobile to find space on field.
• If they stand in the center all game, you will lack chances to score.

3-2-3 Formation for 9 vs. 9

This 3-2-3 Formation above is for 9 vs. 9 soccer games. Here are the advantages and disadvantages of this formation:

ADVANTAGES

• A diamond midfield (meaning the #6 player plays behind the #10) provides more structure and depth to your midfield vs. having the #6 and #10 playing in a line. Attacking/defending responsibilities are easier to describe and assign for new players.
• Three forwards (players #7, #9, #11) provide good depth and width in the attack, allowing multiple options for the midfielders to connect with the forwards.
• Players #2 and #3, if they get forward into the attack, provide overlapping options with the #7 and #11.
• This 3-2-3 formation is excellent for transitioning into the 4-3-3 formation at 11v11.

DISADVANTAGES

• Players #7 and #11 need to come back into midfield to receive ball. If the #9, #11, and #7 players stand in a flat line with the opponent’s defenders, your team will have difficulty penetrating into the attacking 3rd of the field.
• With three in the back, players #2 and #3 need to understand that they need to stay compact with player #5 centrally. If they are too spread out from each other when the other team has the ball, your team will get penetrated and scored on too easily.

3-3-2 Formation For 9 vs. 9

The 3-3-2 Formation above is for 9 vs 9 soccer games. Below you will find the advantages and disadvantages of this formation:

ADVANTAGES

• Provides multiple options in the attack (players #10, #9, #7, #11).
• If players #2 and #3 get forward in the attack and overlap #7 and #11, can provide excellent attacking options for width.
• Players #9 and #10 are able to connect with each other to get forward to goal.
• Excellent formation to transition into a 4-4-2 in 11 v 11.

DISADVANTAGES

• Only one center-midfielder means if player #7 and #11 do not recover centrally when the team doesn’t have the ball, your midfield will be bypassed easily.
• With three in the back, players #2 and #3 need to understand that they need to stay compact with player #5 centrally. If too spread out from each other when the other team has the ball, your team will get penetrated and scored on too easily.

3-4-1 Diamond Formation for 9 vs 9

Above is a 3-4-1 Diamond Formation for 9 vs 9 soccer games. Here are the advantages and disadvantages of this formation:

ADVANTAGES

• Excellent formations for transitioning into a 4-5-1 at 11 v 11.
• Provides good defensive support with players #7 and #11 playing in the midfield, and player #6 playing just in front of the back-line.
• It provides good numbers in the midfield to break up opponent’s attacks.
• Excellent formation for teaching how to play out of the back.

DISADVANTAGES

• Players #7, #11, #2 and #3 need to be aggressive with getting forward to provide width in the attack.
• If the team is not fast enough to transition into the attack, player #9 will be alone with the ball and unlikely to score.
• Highly defensive formation. Needs quick and mobile players in order to be effective in attack.

4-4-2 Flat Midfield Formation for 11 vs 11

This diagram above shows the 4-4-2 Flat Midfield Formation for 11 vs 11 soccer games. Here are the advantages and disadvantages:

ADVANTAGES

• Classic formation providing good defensive shape, and good options in the attack.
• If players #7 and #11 are quick getting into the attack, this formation provides excellent width.
• Good formation for playing out of the back.
• Players #9 and #10 have the ability to play off each other to attack in the opponents' final 3rd of the field.

DISADVANTAGES

• Players #7, #11, #2, #3 have to be aggressive getting forward to provide width in the attack.
• Players #6 and #8 need to understand pressure/cover so they don’t get caught “flat” on the field. One player needs to play slightly deeper than the other to provide depth while defending.

4-4-2 Diamond Formation for 11 vs 11

This diagram above shows a 4-4-2 Diamond Formation for 11 vs 11 soccer games. Advantages and disadvantages of this formation include:

ADVANTAGES

• Same as 4-4-2 flat, but players #6 and #8 have been given instructions on who plays deeper than the other. This helps alleviate defensive mistakes and having your center-midfields get caught “flat”.

DISADVANTAGES

• Center-midfields are now less flexible in their movement as they have been given set spaces to control. The rigidity helps on the defensive side of the ball, but can hurt on the attacking side of the ball.

3-5-2 Formation For 11 vs. 11

This diagram above shows the 3-5-2 Formation to be used in 11 vs. 11 soccer games. Here are the advantages and disadvantages of this formation:

ADVANTAGES

• Excellent formation for creating options to attack opponent’s goal if players #7 and #11 get forward into attack.
• Good stability on the attacking and defensive side of the ball in the midfield.
• Center-midfields have multiple options to penetrate opponents back line (players #7, #11, #9, #10).

DISADVANTAGES

• Three in the backline make your team susceptible to being beaten on the outside of the field.
• Players #7 and #11 need to be fast in getting forward into the attack, and getting back to help defend. If players #7 and #11 are not hard workers, you will get beat on the outside of the field.

4-5-1 Formation For 11 vs. 11

This diagram above shows the 4-5-1 Formation for 11 vs. 11 soccer games. Here are some advantages and disadvantages:

ADVANTAGES

• Excellent formation for defending against a good attacking team.
• All areas of the field have coverage for defending.
• If players #7 and #11 are mobile players with getting into the attack, can be very effective in attacking off the counter.

DISADVANTAGES

• With so many players back to help defend, can be difficult to find a rhythm in the attack.
• Player #9 can be left without options to play the ball to if your team isn’t quick to support the attack.

4-3-3 Formation For 11 vs. 11

Above is the 4-3-3 Formation for 11 vs. 11 soccer games. Below are the advantages and disadvantages of this formation:

ADVANTAGES

• It provides excellent options in the attack.
• Provides good support on the defensive side of the ball with four defenders and #6, #8 providing support just in front of the backline.
• If players #2 and #3 get into the attack to overlap player #7 and #11, can be very effective in penetrating the opponent’s backline.

DISADVANTAGES

• Players #7 and #11 need to come back into the midfield to help with defensive responsibilities.
• Players #9, #11, #7 need to be mobile in the attack. If they all stay in the same general positions on their side of the field, they can be too easy to defend. Players to constantly look for space in front of, and behind, the opponent’s backline to receive the ball.

Remember to familiarize yourself with youth soccer positions to fully understand the formations listed above.