Thanks for your comments. Your approach 2-2-1 is clearly highly successful and positive but does rely more on stamina then my more defensive 3-1-1 approach.

Our 5-a-side pitch is outdoors and is about 30 yards wide so there is room on the flanks for the backs to become wingers when counter-attacking. With this approach the ‘spine’ of the team need only have moderate stamina but good vision and passing, and just the two wingers need the stamina. My 3-1-1 “system” limits the negative impact of the lack in stamina in over 50% of the team, and allows us to punch above our weight (even though we are overweight

Your team does not seem to have any real weaknesses – so you have more flexibility in how you play and can afford to adopt a more attacking approach.

I manage and play for a 6 a side team, and we generally win most matches we play and have won the league 5 times. I am interested in why you see playing wingers is a good idea, how wide is the pitch you play on? Is it in closed?

I tened to play 2-2-1 formation to great effect.

We play with one Centre back who stays at the back for most of the match (if he does go forward, someone covers, so there is always a last man). a positive about this is they get to see the whole pitch and can dictate the passing and is also another outlet when things seem to slowdown! This player needs to have good reactions.

Also at the back we play with like a rightback who has a powerful shot and the stamina to get up and down the line… this helps out the attack but when the opposition has the ball he is behind the ball.

Then in the middle we have a defensive mid who gets stuck in and also has a stamina of a god … he never stops running!
Then another midfielder who is more attacking minded helping out the forward and who is very skilful. he has a great shot and a quick footballing mind.

And not to mention my striker who has bags of tricks and scores goals for fun. I let him stay up and then all the other players look for him as soon as we are on the attack.

This is just how we play but it could work for any team, just needs time to settle in.

In my humble opinion you need a good winger and two fit midfielders one who get up to support the attack and the other who drops back and acts as a 2nd defender. If you have the players its a very strong formation.

I tried switching from 2-2-1 to 1-3-1 this season and so far we are P15 W12 D2 L1 GF53 GA13

Good luck with your team – try and organise some friendly matches before the season starts so your team can used to the new system.

Russell

I have just been chosen to coach a six a side a side team and this is something I have never done before, the team has some what good quality players and all they need is discpline. I like the 1-2-2-1 formation and I believe it will work just fine for the guys.

Wish me luck

The Line Groover

Well done! And with a few wins the confidence grows and the team pulls more together.

You may not win the league this season but shoot for the top half – if you can hit 9 wins from 18 that would be a great improvement

Thanks for the advice, I’ll give a couple of different formations and tactics a try throughout the group stage games and against the weaker teams. Then decide, based on results and amount of goals we’ve scored, what to play in the latter stages of the tourament.

I honestly believe the team could win the tournament, as long as chances are put away and they play to the level I know they can perform at. They are a very talented young group of lads and there’s a couple of boys who have been scouted into academies and could very well be playing at a high standard further on in their careers. This will be my last year for the club so we want to collect as much silverware as possible!

Is there any formation or any advice at all that you would recommend to me or the lads?

Much thanks, Will.

Thanks for you comment – it is always tough to play attractive football and not get the result your deserve. It may be the beautiful game but it is goals that count.

As you rightly state, your attacking set up is well suited to a hard working fit team – and this will most often bear fruit.

Please describe your goal scoring opportunities? are you trying to walk the ball into the net? Or are your strikers shooting too early instead of laying in square to another striker? What is stopping your team converting possession to goals?

Can you pass the ball around a bit deeper and lure them out of defence?

Some flexibility in your approach is required – try and find your opponent’s weakness and then exploit it. There is no solution to every game. See what works and what does not and be willing to change things up.

Good Luck for Saturday!

Best Regards

Russell