Football/ Soccer Formations- Four Attackers

Hello there, I hope you are well! Today we discuss the few, but interesting, four attacker formations. I'll do my best to give fun strategies on how to use these offensive driven formations. Hopefully you enjoy reading the content below!

Shortcut words:

CB: 

center back

Fullbacks:

left back/ right back

CDM: 

center defensive midfielder

CM: 

center midfielder

CAM: 

center attacking midfielder

LM/RM: 

left midfielder/ right midfielder

LW/RW: 

left winger/ right winger

ST: 

striker

CF:

center forward (This is a position below the ST position. CFs typically participate with playmaking and moving the ball around as well as looking for scoring options.)

The term winger can be applied to both left/ right midfielders (who are midfielders) and left/ right wingers (who are attackers/ forwards). It can get confusing but it really is just to refer to the outside midfielders or attackers.

Formations include the following:

3-3-4

3-3-4 (staggered)

4-2-4

4-2-4 (staggered)

5-1-4

3-3-4

LW           ST          ST           RW

LM                CM                RM

CB           CB           CB

GK

Pros

-The last third of the pitch is yours. This formation overloads the box where literally each defender is marking someone unless they're playing a line of 5 defenders

-CM has plenty of targets to choose from, with each one of the attackers trying to find an open space

Cons

-Midfield is very open and all midfielders have defensive duties they have to attend to

-if opposition has a good strategy through the middle you're players are going to have a hard time stopping them

Play Creation 

-One way to play this is by having the CM supporting the LM/ RM so in turn they can find one of the LW/ RW, if not they could return the ball to the CM so the CM can try to find an open striker or switch the ball to the other side. There are a lot of direct balls to the attackers because of the lack of staggered positions. It's crucial to have one or two playmakers within the attackers.

Player Types Combinations 

-some interesting ideas you might consider:

     –Combination 1:

          –one playmaking shooting ST (focus: great short passing, ball control and can shoot from anywhere)

          –one speedy dribbling ST (focus: a fast striker with great ball control and dribbling to dribble past defenders)

          –attacking LW and RW (focus: attack positioning, speed and shooting, especially from distance)

          –defensive playmaking LM and RM (focus: speedy wingers that have good short passing for support and good defensive qualities to help the CBs)

          –playmaking controlling CM (focus: short and long passing, ball control and decent defending)

          –The left and right CBs should be fast and strong. Your middle CB can be fast and strong also without needing to distribute the ball since all the midfielders have good ball control and passing.

     –Combination 2:

          –one physical ST (focus: a strong, aerial striker with great finishing and shot power)

          –one speedy dribbling ST (focus: a fast striker with great ball control and dribbling to dribble past defenders)

          –speedy playmaking LW and RW (focus: fast wingers with great ball control, short and long passing including crossing)

          –box to box LM and RM (focus: all around complete player able to help on offense and defense)

          –fast playmaking controlling CM (focus: speed, short and long passing, ball control and decent defending)

          –The left and right CBs should be fast and strong. Your middle CB can have good passing qualities to distribute the ball in case the LM/ RM go up too high.

     –Combination 3:

          –one strong playmaking ST (focus: great short passing, strength and ball control to hold the ball while teammates open up)

          –one speedy playmaking ST (focus: a fast striker that has great ball control and short passing precision)

          –one attacking LW/ RW (focus: attack positioning, speed and shooting, especially from distance)

          –one dynamic LW/ RW (focus: fast wingers with great attack positioning, ball control and dribbling)

          –defensive playmaking LM and RM (focus: speedy wingers that have good short passing for support and good defensive qualities to help the CBs)

          –box to box CM (focus: all around complete player able to help on offense and defense)

The left and right CBs should be fast and strong. Your middle CB can have good passing qualities to distribute the ball in case the CM goes up too high.

3-3-4 (staggered)

LW                 ST                RW

CF

LM              CM              RM

CB         CB         CB

GK

Pros

-four attacking players ready to attack, with a staggered CF that can act as a pivot to distribute or attack

-Three midfielders that can distribute to the staggered attackers in different combinations with the added CF.

Cons

-a midfield line that has to be on their toes when they're needed to help defend

-A sole CM that has a crucial role in distributing the ball and disrupting the opponents attacks.

Play Creation 

-We have the addition of a CF that can act as a playmaker or a second striker. As a playmaker they can support the wingers and the striker with passes or be ready to return a pass to the CM for possession of the ball. If they're acting as a second striker they can rush in from behind to receive a “through ball” from a teammate for a direct shot. The wingers can also create passes amongst each other while receiving support from the CF and CM, while the striker gets in a good attacking position. 

Player Types Combinations 

-some ideas I have for this formation:

     –Combination 1:

          –playmaking shooting ST (focus: great short passing, ball control and can shoot from anywhere)

          –playmaking CF (focus: great ball control, dribbling, attack position and short passing precision)

          –attacking LW and RW (focus: attack positioning, speed and shooting, especially from distance)

          –box to box LM and RM (focus: all around complete player able to help on offense and defense)

          –fast playmaking controlling CM (focus: speed, short and long passing, ball control and decent defending)

          –The left and right CBs should be fast and strong. Your middle CB can have good passing qualities to distribute the ball in case the LM/ RM go up too high.

     –Combination 2:

          –speedy dribbling ST (focus: a fast striker with great ball control and dribbling to dribble past defenders)

          –playmaking shooting CF (focus: great ball control, dribbling, attack position, short passing, and precise shooting from anywhere on the last third of the field)

          –dynamic LW and RW (focus: fast wingers with great attack positioning, ball control and dribbling)

          –speedy playmaking LM and RM (focus: fast wingers with great ball control, short and long passing including crossing)

          –fast playmaking controlling CM (focus: speed, short and long passing, ball control and decent defending)

          –The left and right CBs should be fast and strong. Your middle CB can be fast and strong also without needing to distribute the ball since all the midfielders have good ball control and passing.

     –Combination 3:

          –strong playmaking ST (focus: great short passing, strength and ball control to hold the ball while teammates open up)

          –speedy dribbling CF (focus: a fast center forward with great ball control and dribbling to dribble past defenders)

          –one speedy playmaking LW/ RW (focus: fast wingers with great ball control, short and long passing including crossing)

          –one attacking LW/ RW (focus: attack positioning, speed and shooting, especially from distance)

          –defensive playmaking LM and RM (focus: speedy wingers that have good short passing for support and good defensive qualities to help the CBs)

          –playmaking controlling CM (focus: short and long passing, ball control and decent defending)

          –The left and right CBs should be fast and strong. Your middle CB can be fast and strong also without needing to distribute the ball since all the midfielders have good ball control and passing.

4-2-4

LW           ST         ST          RW

CM         CM

LB          CB         CB         RB

GK

Pros

-more defensive stability than the 3-3-4s with the same attacking power

-playmaking midfielders have a lot of options for direct attacks

Cons

-an ideal formation for direct attacks, not as much for possession play

-CMs can get overloaded with work

Play Creation 

-This formation can have your CMs doing all the work if you want. They can be the ones sending direct passes to an attacker, they can start creating plays with the fullbacks to push the ball up, or they can pass amongst themselves to push the ball up through the middle. Wing play is nice as well because CMs can set up fullbacks so they can connect with wingers, who in turn can connect with strikers for “pass and go” passing or “through balls”. CMs that find an easy avenue down the middle can rely on a playmaking striker to invite the rest of the team up or for triangulating passes with the CMs for possession.

Player Types Combinations 

-some cool ideas for this formation:

     –Combination 1:

          –speedy dribbling STs (focus: a fast striker with great ball control and dribbling to dribble past defenders)

          –one attacking winger (focus: attack positioning, speed and shooting, especially from distance)

          –one dynamic winger (focus: fast wingers with great attack positioning, ball control and dribbling)

          –playmaking controlling CM (focus: short and long passing, ball control and decent defending)

          –fast playmaking controlling CM (focus: speed, short and long passing, ball control and decent defending)

          –speedy supportive fullbacks (focus: these are fullbacks with a lot of speed, great ball control, short and long passing and decent defending)

          –If possible, one of the CBs can be fast and strong. One of the CBs can also be good at passing, to help the CMs begin ball distribution.

     –Combination 2:

          –one strong playmaking ST (focus: great short passing, strength and ball control to hold the ball while teammates open up)

          –one playmaking shooting ST (focus: great short passing, ball control and can shoot from anywhere)

          –(on the side of strong playmaking ST) one attacking winger (focus: attack positioning, speed and shooting, especially from distance)

          –(on the side of playmaking shooting ST) one dynamic winger (focus: fast wingers with great attack positioning, ball control and dribbling)

          –playmaking controlling CMs (focus: short and long passing, ball control and decent defending)

          –speedy dribbling fullbacks (focus: fullbacks with a lot of speed, great ball control, dribbling and decent defending)

          –If possible, one of the CBs can be fast and strong. One of the CBs can also be good at passing, to help the CMs begin ball distribution.

     –Combination 3:

          –one strong playmaking ST (focus: great short passing, strength and ball control to hold the ball while teammates open up)

          –one speedy dribbling ST (focus: a fast striker with great ball control and dribbling to dribble past defenders)

          –(on the side of speedy dribbling ST) one speedy playmaking winger (focus: fast wingers with great ball control, short and long passing including crossing)

          –(on the side of strong playmaking ST) one dynamic winger (focus: fast wingers with great attack positioning, ball control and dribbling)

          –box to box CM (focus: all around complete player able to help on offense and defense)

          –fast playmaking controlling CM (focus: speed, short and long passing, ball control and decent defending)

          –speedy supportive fullbacks (focus: these are fullbacks with a lot of speed, great ball control, short and long passing and decent defending)

          –If possible, one of the CBs can be fast and strong. One of the CBs can also be good at passing, to help the CMs begin ball distribution.

4-2-4 (staggered)

LW                 ST                RW

CF

CM          CM

LB             CB          CB            RB

GK

Pros

-A staggered CF helps facilitate play creation and provides an option for possession play, rather than just relying on direct attacks.

-a lot of triangular connections available with the added CF and fullbacks

Cons

-fullbacks and CMs need to be careful not to go up too high for possible counter attacks

-CMs without defending qualities will struggle to hold off attacks down the middle from opposition 

Play Creation 

-The CF has a wonderful role of pivoting around their area ready to become active in play creation. The ball can go from the CMs to the CF to the wingers, who in turn can dribble past the defenders or pass it down to the fullbacks. If the striker is open, the ball can go from CMs to the striker who in turn can “pass and go” with the CF, then the CF can put a “through pass” so the striker can shoot. There are a lot of cool ways that this formation can work.

Player Types Combinations 

-some ideas to consider:

     –Combination 1:

          –speedy dribbling ST (focus: a fast striker with great ball control and dribbling to dribble past defenders)

          –playmaking CF (focus: great ball control, dribbling, attack position and short passing precision)

          –attacking wingers (focus: attack positioning, speed and shooting, especially from distance)

          –fast playmaking controlling CM (focus: speed, short and long passing, ball control and decent defending)

          –playmaking controlling CM (focus: short and long passing, ball control and decent defending)

          –one speedy supportive fullback (focus: these are fullbacks with a lot of speed, great ball control, short and long passing and decent defending)

          –one speedy dribbling fullback (focus: fullbacks with a lot of speed, great ball control, dribbling and decent defending)

          –If possible, one of the CBs can be fast and strong. One of the CBs can also be good at passing, to help the CMs begin ball distribution.

     –Combination 2:

          –physical ST (focus: a strong, aerial striker with great finishing and shot power)

          –playmaking shooting CF (focus: great ball control, dribbling, attack position, short passing, and precise shooting from anywhere on the last third of the field)

          –speedy playmaking wingers (focus: fast wingers with great ball control, short and long passing including crossing)

          –fast playmaking controlling CM (focus: speed, short and long passing, ball control and decent defending)

          –box to box CM (focus: all around complete player able to help on offense and defense)

          –speedy dribbling fullbacks (focus: fullbacks with a lot of speed, great ball control, dribbling and decent defending)

          –If possible, one of the CBs can be fast and strong. One of the CBs can also be good at passing, to help the CMs begin ball distribution.

     –Combination 3:

          –speedy playmaking ST (focus: a fast striker that has great ball control and short passing precision)

          –speedy dribbling CF (focus: a fast center forward with great ball control and dribbling to dribble past defenders)

          –dynamic wingers (focus: fast wingers with great attack positioning, ball control and dribbling)

          –playmaking controlling CMs (focus: short and long passing, ball control and decent defending)

          –speedy supportive fullbacks (focus: these are fullbacks with a lot of speed, great ball control, short and long passing and decent defending)

          –If possible, one of the CBs can be fast and strong. One of the CBs can also be good at passing, to help the CMs begin ball distribution.

5-1-4

LW           ST           ST           RW

CM

LB         CB        CB       CB           RB

GK

Pros

-an all out attacking and defensive juggernaut that nullifies most of your midfield play, inviting chaos and fun destruction if you're into that sort of thing

-back and forth chaotic playstyle with almost no possession, you're either attacking or defending

Cons

-can be draining for players to be back and forth without a solid midfield to slow down the pace

-extreme results: you might score a lot but you might get scored on a lot as well

Play Creation 

-This formation can begin to flow through your CM and fullbacks. They will connect together most of the time. If a striker or wingers are playmakers, they can provide some support in all the craziness. Most of the time it will be direct balls to your forwards to always be looking for attacking opportunities.

Player Types Combinations 

-some ideas for this extreme formation:

     –Combination 1:

          –speedy dribbling STs (focus: a fast striker with great ball control and dribbling to dribble past defenders)

          –one dynamic winger (focus: fast wingers with great attack positioning, ball control and dribbling)

          –one attacking winger (focus: attack positioning, speed and shooting, especially from distance)

          –fast playmaking controlling CM (focus: speed, short and long passing, ball control and decent defending)

          –speedy supportive fullbacks (focus: these are fullbacks with a lot of speed, great ball control, short and long passing and decent defending)

          –The left and right CBs should be as fast and strong as possible. The middle CB can be good at passing to help the CM start attacks from the back.

     –Combination 2:

          –one physical ST (focus: a strong, aerial striker with great finishing and shot power)

          –one speedy dribbling ST (focus: a fast striker with great ball control and dribbling to dribble past defenders)

          –speedy playmaking wingers (focus: fast wingers with great ball control, short and long passing including crossing)

          –fast playmaking controlling CM (focus: speed, short and long passing, ball control and decent defending)

          –speedy dribbling fullbacks (focus: fullbacks with a lot of speed, great ball control, dribbling and decent defending)

          –The left and right CBs should be as fast and strong as possible. The middle CB can be good at passing to help the CM start attacks from the back.

     –Combination 3:

          –one speedy playmaking ST (focus: a fast striker that has great ball control and short passing precision)

          –one playmaking shooting ST (focus: great short passing, ball control and can shoot from anywhere)

          –attacking wingers (focus: attack positioning, speed and shooting, especially from distance)

          –box to box CM (focus: all around complete player able to help on offense and defense)

          –speedy supportive fullbacks (focus: these are fullbacks with a lot of speed, great ball control, short and long passing and decent defending)

          –The left and right CBs should be as fast and strong as possible. The middle CB can be good at passing to help the CM start attacks from the back.

Well that's about it, I think, regarding four attacker formations. These might be used less, but it's still fun strategizing these full on attacking formations. Thanks for reading and checking out these ideas. Again, this is just a fun post with some of my ideas and not meant to insult anyone else's ideas of football/ soccer. I hope you have a good day and we continue to enjoy this beautiful sport. Until next time.