Best Youth Soccer Formations

There are numerous types of soccer formations in a game. That being said, youth soccer is no exception. A good soccer formation is necessary to win the game. The soccer formations allow coaches to select the players they think are good in a specific position.

Moreover, there are different types of soccer formation for 11 VS 11, 9 VS 9, 7 VS 7, 4 VS 4, and 3 VS 3 players. Today, we will discuss all the different formations for youth soccer games. 

Before we begin discussing the best formations for youth soccer, we would like to tell you what the 3-digit formation represents.

What do the 3 numbers in the soccer formation mean?

The 3 digits in the formation represent the number of players excluding the goalkeeper. For example, for 11 players, you would see a soccer formation of something like 4-4-2 or 3-5-2. So, it does not mean that the total number of players is 10. Instead, it means that the goalkeeper is not part of the formation. 

Moreover, the first digit in the formation represents the number of defenders, the second number represents midfielders, and the last or the third number represents attackers. For example, in a 3-5-2 for 11 players, there are 3 defenders, 5 midfielders, and 2 attackers. 

Some of the best types of youth soccer formations

Below-specified are some of the best types of youth soccer formation for 11, 9, and 7 players. 

11 vs 11: 4-3-3 formation

It is one of the best formations for the 11 VS 11 youth soccer game. In this formation, there are 4 defenders, 3 midfielders, and 3 attackers.

It is comparatively an attack-based formation. It is implemented when teams desperately need to score a goal or be the dominant side in the game.

Pros

• With 3 attackers on the field, it creates more opportunities to score goals. 
• 4 defenders make a good defending wall for the opponent team. Therefore, this makes it hard for the opponent team to score goals and gain possession of the ball. 
• Good passing between two fullback defenders at the back and the strikers.

Cons

• Usually, 3 midfielders are not a great option when it comes to defense. The opponent can easily intercept the ball and gain possession in the midfield region. 
• Sometimes strikers also have to come to assist the 3 assigned midfielders. 
• Strikers need to be on their toes all the time. Otherwise, they can be intercepted, which can cause a loss of a goal.

11 vs 11: 4-5-1 formation

This type of formation includes 4 defenders, 5 midfielders, and 1 striker or attacker. This type of formation is a balanced formation and provides a pretty good attack as well as defense. 

Pros

• Midfielders can move up and assist the strikers and help them score a goal. 
• It helps to keep the ball for an extended period because of the 5 midfielders and 4 defenders. Keeping the ball with you for a long time creates more opportunities. 
• No pothole in defending. 

Cons

• 1 striker might not be enough if you want to score more goals. 
• Needs quick support from the midfield, which sometimes can be a problem considering the formation of another team.

11 vs 11: 3-5-2 formation

This formation consists of 3 defenders, 5 midfielders, and 2 strikers. This formation is pretty good from a defensive point of view, but not so much from the attacking side. 

Pros

• The two downward central midfielders can assist defenders as well as the other 3 midfielders, including central and wide ones. 
• Wide midfielders can quickly assist the two strikers in the forward, which can help them win the game. 
• Midfield can help to have the ball possession for an extended period.

Cons

• 3 central defenders do not cover the entire area of defense, including the sidelines.

11 vs 11: 4-4-2 formation 

This soccer formation consists of 4 defenders, 4 midfielders, and 2 strikers. This youth soccer formation is considered the best formation in soccer.

It is also known as the Diamond formation. This soccer formation is ideal for reducing the chances of defending mistakes. 

Pros

• This soccer formation offers the most effective and quickest way for the 4 defenders to provide a good defending round. 
• It is the formation to win soccer as it has good attacking numbers and a solid structure for defending in depth.
• The 4 defenders and 4 midfielders can use eight men that can be present in front of the opposition for a better and thorough defending system. 
• If the defending goes over the bar of the midfielders, the opposition can be repressed in their particular half by a group of players. 

Cons

• The solid positions of the 4-4-2 position can lead to the side exchange of more supple opponents. 
• The chances of getting outnumbered during the mid-fielding, especially while playing the two strikes.

11 VS 11: 4-4-2 flat midfield formation

This soccer formation consists of 4 defenders, 4 midfielders, and 2 strikers. Out of 4 defenders, 2 are full-back defenders, and the other two are central defenders, whereas, the 4 midfielders include 2 wide midfielders and 2 central midfielders. It provides the players a good chance of increasing their attacking options with a good defensive shape.

Pros

• The two wide midfielders are present in the best position for planning out the quick attack. This kind of soccer formation is the best formation that can help you win a soccer game.
• The presence of the two wide midfielders increases the width of the defending line.

Cons

• The two central midfielders and one full-back defender have to be quick to reach forward in the field to provide enough width in response to the attack.
• There is too much pressure on the two central midfielders and therefore, have to avoid getting flat on the field. 
• Between the two central midfielders, one has to play in more depth while providing defense formation. 

9 VS 9: 3-4-1 diamond formation

This soccer formation is also one of the best formations in soccer. This youth soccer formation consists of 3 defenders, 4 midfielders, and a striker.

This soccer formation is also known as the diamond formation and is excellent for various reasons, like the best formation to win soccer.

Pros

• The two wide midfielders have the best advantage in that they provide excellent defensive support.
• The one central midfielder is used as a backup while staying in the front line.
• It offers an ideal formation to win soccer with high numbers of midfielders to break down adversary attacks. 

Cons

• The two wide midfielders and the two full-back defenders are in tough positions therefore they have to be at their aggressive playing or defending behavior for providing maximum width in the attack.
• Since there is only one striker in the 3-4-1 diamond soccer formations hence, the rest of the team players have to be quick with their movements to net let the striker be alone.

9 vs 9: 3-3-2 formation

This youth soccer formation consists of 3 defenders, 3 midfielders and the other 2 are strikers. This type of soccer formation to win soccer is ideal and has various benefits with some minor setbacks.

Pros

• This soccer formation offers various attacking options for the two strikers and the two wide midfielders. 
• The two strikers at the positions are in contact with each other, and it can be beneficial for reaching out to goals.
• It is one of the best formations in soccer that can be easily converted into a 4-4-2 formation in 11 VS 11.

Cons

• The two full-back defenders have to work their way with the one central defender to avoid a large distance between the team players.
• The mid-fielding can be surpassed easily if the two wide midfielders do not maintain their positions centrally when the team does not have the ball.

9 vs 9: 3-2-3 soccer formation

This soccer formation consists of 3 defenders, 2 midfielders, and 3 strikers. It is an excellent soccer formation for converting into a 4-3-3 soccer formation in 11 VS 11.

Pros

• The two fullbacks are in contact with the two wide midfielders if they come forward during the attack.
• The two wide midfielders and one striker provide excellent defending depth and width during the attack. 
• Attacking is much easier in this 3-2-3 soccer formation.

Cons

• If the team is spread out too much your opponent team can score very easily.

7 vs 7: 3-2-1 formation

This soccer formation consists of 3 defenders, 2 midfielders, and 1 striker. This soccer formation is ideal in such circumstances where you think the opponent team is quite strong.

Pros

• The three defenders in the back have a good position in response to the attack.
• It allows the two central midfielders to increase their defending instincts. 
• Good formation for learning defending and playing from the back.

Cons

• If the opponent stands in the center the chances for your team to score are quite low.

7 vs 7: 2-3-1 formation

This soccer formation consists of 2 defenders, 3 midfielders, and 1 striker. It provides a good width for the team to defend.

Pros

• The two central defenders are in good positions for building up pressure on the opponent’s team.
• The one central midfielder has various attacking options.

Cons

• The central midfielder can get intimidated while defending if you are playing against teams. 

Conclusion

These are some of the youth soccer formations that can help your youth soccer club win the game. Make sure you have the right players in the right position to make the most out of the above-specified formations.