The 4 - 4 - 2 is one of the most common systems played today. The formation provides eight players behind the ball when defending and four players ready to support the two forwards when attacking. The two wide midfielders are used as wingers, providing automatic width to the midfield shape. The use of four defenders adds more compactness and balance in the back. Either the sweeper or the flat back four system can be utilized.
ROLE OF THE FOUR DEFENDERS
The back four defenders must play as one unit around the entire defensive half of the field. Most often teams will use one central defender (stopper) as a man for man marker and the second as a sweeper or covering defender. Some teams opt for a ‘"flat back four" with both central defenders sharing the responsibility of marking.
This system is often preferred with the "offside trap" tactics. The advantage of a 4-4-2 system is that it also allows more freedom for the two wide defenders to attack.
Role of the Two Wide Defenders
* Must play as one unit around the entire defensive half of the field.
* Maintain compactness to support each other and avoid being spread out.
* Must play as one unit up and down the wide channel with the midfield and wide forward.
* Provide instant width when building possession from the back.
* Deepest defender acts as the leader for providing information to the other three defenders.
* Disciplined in maintaining defensive responsibility, even when their team is attacking.
* Ability to defend on a 1 v 1 basis. Knowing when to delay and when to challenge an oncoming opponent.
* Support both the middle and wide midfield players by providing an option of an overlap or a supporting position behind the ball.
Role of the Two Central Defenders
* Must play as one unit around the entire defensive half of the field.
* Maintain compactness to support each other and avoid being spread out.
* Must play as one unit up and down the center channel with the midfield and forwards.
* Communicate well with co-center back, knowing when to mark tight and when to drop deeper into a supporting position.
* Provide central cover when building possession from the back.
* Deepest defender acts as the leader for providing information to the other three defenders.
* Disciplined in maintaining defensive responsibility, even when their team is attacking.
* Ability to defend on a 1 v 1 basis. Knowing when to delay and when to challenge an oncoming opponent.
* Support both the middle and wide midfield players by providing an passing option behind the ball.
ROLE OF THE FOUR MIDFIELDERS AS A UNIT
The four midfielders are the link between offense and defense and must operate from penalty area to penalty area. The wide midfielder must act as a fifth defender when the opponents are attacking on the opposite side of the field. He should occupy the space in the fullback position and add cover whenever possible. The two central midfielders should look to keep their position in the middle of the field.
Role of the Two Wide Midfielders
* Must play as one unit across the middle of the field with the two central midfielders.
* Must play as one unit up and down the field with the wide defender and wide forward.
* Must act as a fifth defender when the opponents are attacking on the opposite side of the field, occupying the space in the fullback position and add cover whenever possible.
* Get into advance positions of the ball whenever their team can play forward.
* Look for blind-sided runs behind the defender when their team is attacking on the opposite side of the field.
* Deliver early crosses to forwards.
* Deliver a variety of crosses into the far and near post.
* Use a variety of crossing techniques such as the bent cross, driven cross and lofted cross.
Role of the Two Central Midfielders
* Must play as one unit across the middle of the field with the two wide midfielders.
* Must play as one unit up and down the field with the defenders and forwards.
* Maintain shape in the middle of the field and not become too isolated from each other.
* Team organizers and pace setters. Increase and lower the team tempo when needed.
* Use of cross over runs to create space for open passes when defenders are looking to play from the back.
* Use of deep probing runs into the attacking third to lose markers while attacking.
* Provide defensive cover for wide midfielders.
* Track opponents attacking midfield runs deep into their own penalty area.
* Short quality passes to forwards feet and long well paced passes expose area behind the opponents' defenders.
* Frequent use of "give and go" passes to link up with each other.
* Frequent use of "give and go" passes to link up with forwards.
* Constantly playing with the head up to scan the field and instantly assess the best forward passing option.
ROLE OF THE TWO FORWARDS
The two forwards must play as one unit across the front line constantly being aware of each other's movements. It is important to ensure they do not congest the four midfielders by dropping into deep forward positions. Both players should be continually searching for space to receive a pass, create shooting opportunities and score goals. Runs can be somewhat isolated to the center channel due to the automatic width provided by the two wide midfielders.
* Must play as one unit in the attacking third of the field working in close partnership with a co-striker, developing understanding of when and where to move with the ball, pass, dribble or shoot.
* Must interchange with wide midfielders in flank positions.
* Constantly looking to maintain balance to prevent bunching.
* Constantly looking to exploit space created by other forward.
* Constantly looking to create space for other forward to exploit.
* Create space for players coming from deeper positions.
* Press deep onto opponent's defense to create space for midfield play.
* Showing as a presentable target for short and long-range passes.