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Formations are described as the number of players in each area from the defensive line (not including the s, 4 Midfielder s and 2 Forwards . Conventionally the formation can be described with 3 numbers, although 4-numbered (e.g. 4-4-1-1) and 5-numbered formations (e.g. 4-1-2-1-2) can be used. The numbering system was not present until the 4-2-4 system was developed in the 1950s. Formations can be altered during a game, but requires adaptations of the players to fit in to the new system. This can be due to a team wishing to defend or attack more, or even due to the loss of a player. Some formations also lend themselves to dynamically changing as players move up and down the field, e.g., the Brazilian 4-2-4 could effectively become a 2-4-4 during a match. In this way formations can be deceptive in analysing a particular team's style of play, i.e. one team could play 4-4-2 and work defensively, looking to play high, long balls, whereas their opposition playing the same formation could play much more attractive, attacking football. Formations are used in both professional and amateur football matches. However in amateur matches these tactics are sometimes adhered to less strictly such is the lesser severity of the occasion. Skill and discipline on behalf of the players is also needed to effectively carry out a given formation in professional football. Formations need to be chosen with the players available in mind, and some of the formations below were created to address deficits in different types of players. EARLY DAYS In the football matches of the 19th century defensive football was not played, the line-ups reflected the all-attacking nature of these games. At the time of the first international game, Scotland - England in 1872-11-30 , there was really no team formation. All players chased the ball all over the pitch in what can be considered a 0-0-10 formation. But even then there were some initial signs of team organisation as Scotland surprised England by actually passing the ball among its players instead of always trying to run forward with it. Surprisingly, this game ended in a 0-0 draw. The fast growing number of teams led to fast tactical evolution. Progressively some players were positioned either as defenders or midfielders. In 1872 , The Wanderers F.C. (England) used a 1-1-8 formation.(Source: "The Early FA Cup Finals" by Keith Warsop (SoccerData 2004). The '''2-2-6''' formation was used by most teams throughout the 1870's, although the Royal Engineers instigated a '''1-2-7''' for the 1875 FA Cup Final (same source). Notts Forest used a same system in the early 1880's (source: Nottingham Evening Post 17/10/1881). CLASSIC FORMATIONS 2-3-5 (The ''Pyramid'') It was around 1880 that two full backs, three half backs, and five forwards (the 2-3-5) began to make its appearance; this was originally known as the ''Pyramid'' with the numerical formation being referenced retrospectively. There is some debate as to which team originated this system, but Sheffield Wednesday definitely deployed a 2-3-5 in their FA Cup match with Blackburn Rovers in December 1880. (Source: Sheffield Daily Telegraph 20/12/1880). Blackburn Olympic used the third half back in winning the FA Cup in 1883, and the new system gradually gained popularity. By the 1890s it was the standard formation in Britain and had spread all over the world. With some variations it was used by most top level teams up to the 1940s . For the first time a balance between attacking and defending was reached. When defending, the two defenders (''fullbacks'') would watch out for the opponents' ''wingers'' (the first and fifth men in the attacking line); while the midfielders (''halfbacks'') would watch for the other three forwards. The centre halfback had a key role; he should both help organising the teams attack and mark the opponent's centre forward, supposedly one of their most dangerous players. ;Teams that used this formation:
The Danubian school The ''Danubian School'' of football is a modification of the 2-3-5 formation as played by the Austrians, Czechs and Hungarians in the 1920s, and taken to its peak by the Austrians in the 1930s. It relied on short-passing and individual skills, and was a derivation of '' Carpet Football '' which emphasised keeping the ball on the ground. ;A team that used this formation
Metodo The ''Metodo'' was devised by s in 1934 and 1938 using this system. ;A team that used this formation
The WM
The WW The WW was a development of the WM created by the Hungarian coach in the Hungarian National Team of the early 1950s . 3-3-4 The 3-3-4 formation was similar to the WW with the notable exception of having an inside-forward (as opposed to centre-forward) deployed as a midfield schemer alongside the two wing-halves. This formation would be commonplace during the 50s and early 60s. One of the best exponents of the system was the Tottenham Hotspur double-winning side of 1961, which deployed a midfield of Danny Blanchflower , John White and Dave Mackay. 4-2-4 The 4-2-4 formation attempts to combine strong offence with strong defence, and was conceived as a reaction to WM's stiffness. It could also be considered a further development of the WW. The 4-2-4 was the first formation to be described using numbers. While the initial developments leading to the 4-2-4 were devised by , the Brazilian national coach in the early 1950s , as well as another Hungarian Béla Guttman . These tactics seemed to be developed independently, with the Brazilians discussing these ideas while the Hungarians seemed to be putting them into motion [http://fifaworldcup.yahoo.com/06/en/p/cc/hun/sebes.html [http://www.uefa.com/magazine/news/Kind=128/newsId=127467.html]. However the fully developed 4-2-4 was only 'perfected' in Brazil in the late 1950s. Costa published his ideas, the "diagonal system", in the Brazilian newspaper '' O Cruzeiro '', using schematics as the ones used here and, for the first time ever, the formation description by numbers as used in this article. The "diagonal system" was another precursor of the 4-2-4 and was created to spur improvisation in players. Guttman himself moved to Brazil later in the 1950s to help develop these tactical ideas using the experience of Hungarian coaches. The 4-2-4 formation made use of the increasing players skills and fitness, aiming to effectively use 6 defenders and 6 forwards, with the midfielders performing both tasks. The 4th defender increased the number of defensive players but mostly allowed them to be closer together, thus enabling effective cooperation among them, the point being that a stronger defence would allow an even stronger attack. The relatively empty midfield relied on defenders that should now be able not only to steal the ball, but also hold it, pass it or even run with it and start an attack. So this formation required that all players, including defenders, are somehow skillful and with initiative, making it a perfect fit for the Brazilian players mind. The 4-2-4 needed a high level of tactical awareness as having only 2 midfielders could lead to defensive problems. The system was also fluid enough to allow the formation to change throughout play. It has been said that one of the aims of the formation was to score more goals than were conceded. 4-2-4 was first used with success at club level in Brazil by São Paulo and Santos , and was used by Brazil in their wins at 1958 World Cup and 1970 World Cup , both featuring Pelé, and Zagallo who played in the first and coached the second. The formation was quickly adopted throughout the world after the Brazilian success. ;Teams that used this formation:
COMMON MODERN FORMATIONS The following formations are used in modern football. The formations are flexible allowing tailoring to the needs of a team, as well as to the players available. Variations of any given formation include changes in positioning of players, as well as replacement of a traditional defender by a sweeper. 4-3-3 4-4-2
4-4-2 diamond
4-4-2 tight diamond
4-4-1-1
4-3-2-1 (the 'Christmas Tree' formation) This is another variation of the 4-4-2, commonly described as the 'Christmas Tree' formation. Another forward is brought on for a midfielder to play 'in the hole'. so leaving two forwards slightly behind the most forward striker. Teams that used this formation
5-3-2
5-3-2 with Sweeper
3-4-3 3-5-2
;Team that used this formation:
4-5-1
;Team that used this formation:
4-2-3-1
5-4-1
INCOMPLETE FORMATIONS When a player is sent-off (after being shown a Red Card ), the teams generally fall back to defensive formations such as 4-4-1 or 5-3-1. Only when the draw is not an option (e.g. in a Playoff game) will a team with ten players play in a risky attacking formation such as 4-3-2 or even 4-2-3. When more than one player is missing from the team the common formations are generally disbanded in favour of either maximum concentration on defence, or maximum concentration on offence. SEE ALSO EXTERNAL LINKS
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