What are Formations in football?

A formation (or basic order) describes the tactical setup of a team's players on the pitch. It's usually indicated by numbers from defense to attack, e.g., 4-4-2.

Warum sind Formationen wichtig?

The formation forms the tactical foundation of a team, defining the basic distribution of players and their primary roles. It's crucial for stability in defense and structure in attack. However, modern formations aren't rigid; they change dynamically depending on the phase of play (with or against the ball).

What to look for in your analysis:

  • Does the actual formation on the pitch match the nominal lineup?
  • How does the formation behave with opponent possession compared to your own possession?
  • Does the formation create gaps or numerical advantages in certain zones?
  • How well do the player types fit the demands of their positions within the formation?