In a team game like soccer, some players inevitably have more skill than others, but thanks to there being eleven players on each team, it’s the sum of the parts that’s most important. A well-trained, organized team can, and often do, emerge victorious over a team that, on paper, at least, should be winning easily. …
One of the greatest strengths of a soccer team is its cohesion, with 11 players working together towards a common goal. It’s why a team that’s full of great individual players can become truly exceptional. The group becomes more potent when the individuals work together as a team. You can see the results for yourself, …
For those who think formations and tactics don’t make a difference, try playing a lone striker against a formation that has a five-person defense; it’s not going to be easy. Picking the correct formation to counter an opponent is just one of the tools a manager must make use of if they’re going to win …
There’s something solid-looking about a lineup with five defenders in it; you’d assume that with five players to get past, the opposition would have their work cut out for them. And to a certain extent, you’d be right. The primary worry with a five-person defense is that it can either be too defensive or so …
Having three center-backs is a common sight in modern soccer, though, for many years, it was often more usual for teams to play with four defenders. English clubs rarely used three at the back, but in Europe, especially Italy and Spain, it’s been common practice for teams to make use of three center-backs. South American …
It’s well-documented that one of the most effective modern formations in soccer is the 4-2-3-1 formation, with an emphasis on the three attacking midfielders being used to cause defenses all kinds of trouble. When the team using the 4-2-3-1 is packed with skillful players, it’s a nightmare for defenders to combat. If the defense moves …
The 3-5-2 formation has been around since at least the 1980s and was made famous by the 1986 World Cup-winning Argentina side that included Diego Maradona. The Argentina manager, Carlos Bilardo, is credited with creating the formation to allow the team’s star player, Maradona, to have enough space to cause untold damage to opposing teams. …
As far as soccer formations go, the 4-4-2 setup is one of the oldest and most widely used by coaches around the world. It is essentially considered to be one of the most well-balanced and easy-to-learn formations for players and can be adapted to a whole host of different scenarios in game. Teams that use …
While it’s always nice to have a squad of players with the skill and flair of world champions, in reality, many teams simply don’t have the ability required. These teams have solid and dependable squad players who, while giving their all, have to be classed as slower or weaker players. It is essential for teams …
A person’s height shouldn’t affect their ability to play soccer professionally. The soccer world is littered with players of a more diminutive stature who have gone on to dominate the sport. Sometimes being taller has its advantages, in defense, for example, but at other times, being smaller often allows a player to move around the …