9v9: The 4-3-1 Formation

You’re the last line of defence and the first step in every attack — the safe hands, the brave heart, and the voice that keeps the team organised. Your key role is to protect the goal, command your area, and start our play with smart decisions. Being a goalkeeper isn’t just about saving shots — it’s about leading the team from the back.

⚽ When You Have the Ball

• When the ball is passed to you in play, stay calm and make a quick decision.

• First look: short pass to a CD if they are open to switch play.

• If no short option, look for a longer pass to an MC or wide player in space.

• Use the safest option — we keep possession if we can, but clear long if under heavy pressure.

Set-piece taker: Goal kicks (we’ll cover this in the set-piece section).

🟢 When Our Team Has the Ball (Our Half)

• Be ready for a back pass.

• Adjust your position to stay in line with the ball.

• Communicate to help the defenders keep possession under pressure.

🟢 When Our Team Has the Ball (Their Half)

• Step up to the edge of your penalty area.

• Be ready to sweep up long clearances.

• Keep organising — make sure we’re ready if we lose the ball.

🔴 When the Opposition Has the Ball (Their Half)

• Watch their shape and be ready for a counter-attack.

• Talk to defenders — keep them aware of runners.

• Position yourself so you can see both the ball and space behind the defence.

🔴 When the Opposition Has the Ball (Our Half)

• Position on the “ball line” — the line from the ball to the centre of your goal.

• Be ready to come off your line to sweep up through balls.

• Command your box — claim crosses and loose balls with confidence.

You’re the anchors of our defence — strong, calm, and smart. Your key role is to protect the goal, win the ball, and start our build-up safely. Playing centre back is about more than just tackling — it’s about leading the back line, reading the game, and making sure we defend as a unit.

⚽ When You Have the Ball

• When you receive the ball, remember you are often closest to our goal — play safe first.

• First look: pass wide to your wingback.

• If a midfielder is free, play forward into them.

• If under pressure, use the goalkeeper to reset.

🟢 When Our Team Has the Ball (Our Half)

• Hold a compact line with your partner — 10–15m apart.

• Support the build-up by offering a safe option for a switch pass.

• Keep the defensive midfielder in front of you for protection.

🟢 When Our Team Has the Ball (Their Half)

• Push up towards the halfway line to keep the team compact.

• Stay alert for any long clearances from the opposition.

• Be ready to win the ball early if their striker tries to break.

🔴 When the Opposition Has the Ball (Their Half)

• Hold your shape and stay compact.

• Track any striker trying to run in behind early.

• Communicate with your partner and the DMC to be ready for a quick counter.

🔴 When the Opposition Has the Ball (Our Half)

• One defender engages the ball carrier, the other covers.

• Track runners into the box and win your duels.

• Protect the goal above all else — clear danger quickly when needed.

You’re the shield in front of the defence and the link to our attack. Your key role is to break up opposition play, protect the space in front of our defenders, and move the ball quickly to start attacks. Playing the 6 means you’re always in the thick of the action — reading the game, winning the ball, and making smart passes under pressure.

⚽ When You Have the Ball

• When you receive the ball, first look for a forward pass into an MC or WB.

• If forward is blocked, switch play quickly to the opposite side.

• If no pass is on, keep possession by playing back to a CD or GK.

• Carry the ball forward only if you have clear space.

🟢 When Our Team Has the Ball (Our Half)

• Stay central and close to the CDs to offer a safe passing option.

• Support WBs and MCs by being available for a reset pass.

• Keep scanning for opposition strikers trying to sneak into dangerous positions.

🟢 When Our Team Has the Ball (Their Half)

• Hold your position in central midfield to guard against counter-attacks.

• Be ready to collect loose balls and recycle play.

• Direct teammates to keep our shape balanced.

🔴 When the Opposition Has the Ball (Their Half)

• Move up to block passing lanes into their forwards.

• Support the press by closing down midfield spaces.

• Be ready to drop if they break through.

🔴 When the Opposition Has the Ball (Our Half)

• Position yourself between the ball and our goal.

• Intercept passes into their striker and stop runners coming through the middle.

• Drop between the CDs if one is pulled wide.

You’re our engines — the players who give us width in attack and strength in defence. Your key role is to cover the entire flank, stopping crosses when we defend and creating them when we attack. Wingback is a hard-working, high-energy position that demands fitness, bravery, and smart decision-making.

⚽ When You Have the Ball

• Drive forward into space to start the attack.

• Combine with your MC or striker using quick passes.

• Cross early when in a good position.

• If blocked, recycle the ball back to MC or CD to keep possession.

🟢 When Our Team Has the Ball (Our Half)

• Push high enough to give the CD and DMC a wide passing option.

• Support your MC by creating an overload on the wing.

• Stay aware of the opposition winger’s position in case we lose the ball.

🟢 When Our Team Has the Ball (Their Half)

• Make overlapping runs past the MC to deliver crosses or cut-backs.

• Get into the box if the ball is on the opposite side — attack the far post.

• Keep width to stretch their defence and open space for midfielders.

🔴 When the Opposition Has the Ball (Their Half)

• Press their winger or fullback early to force play inside.

• Be ready to step up and intercept passes down the line.

• Communicate with MC and DMC to keep our shape.

🔴 When the Opposition Has the Ball (Our Half)

• Track your winger all the way into our box.

• Block or delay crosses.

• Force play inside towards our DMC and CDs.

You’re the link between defence and attack — the players who control the tempo, create chances, and win the ball back. Your key role is to support the ball on your side, attack space on the opposite side, and work with the DMC to protect the middle when defending. Playing as an 8 or 10 means reading the game, making smart runs, and being involved in every phase of play.

⚽ When You Have the Ball

• If you’re near-side (ball on your side), get close to support your WB and striker.

• If you’re far-side, make a forward run into the box as the second attacker.

• Look to combine with WB and striker using quick passes or through balls.

• Keep scanning for switches of play and late runs into space.

🟢 When Our Team Has the Ball (Our Half)

• Near-side MC: stay close to the ball to give a short passing option and help progress play.

• Far-side MC: tuck inside to be ready for a quick switch or to secure the middle if we lose it.

• Always stay connected to the DMC so there are no big gaps.

🟢 When Our Team Has the Ball (Their Half)

• Near-side MC: combine with WB and striker to create attacks.

• Far-side MC: push forward into the box or hover at the edge for rebounds and second balls.

• Look for pockets of space between their midfield and defence.

🔴 When the Opposition Has the Ball (Their Half)

• Near-side MC: press aggressively with WB to win the ball back quickly.

• Far-side MC: drop slightly to protect central space and be ready to intercept.

• Support the striker in forcing play towards the touchline.

🔴 When the Opposition Has the Ball (Our Half)

• Near-side MC: track the ball and help DMC win it back.

• Far-side MC: track back quickly to cover midfield space and support the defence.

• Always be goal-side of your player until we regain possession.

You’re our spearhead — the player who stretches the defence, creates space for teammates, and finishes chances. Your key role is to be dangerous every time we attack, decide when to stay high to pin defenders back, and when to drop in to link play. As the striker, you set the tone for our attack and our press.

⚽ When You Have the Ball

• Hold up the ball to bring midfielders and wingbacks into the attack.

• Turn and shoot if you see space.

• Make quick runs in behind when the defence pushes up.

🟢 When Our Team Has the Ball (Our Half)

• Stay high to stretch their back line and keep them from pushing up.

• Drop in occasionally to give midfield a passing outlet.

• Be ready to chase long passes into space.

🟢 When Our Team Has the Ball (Their Half)

• Time runs into the box for crosses or cut-backs.

• Combine with MCs and WBs to create shooting chances.

• Stay alert for rebounds and loose balls.

🔴 When the Opposition Has the Ball (Their Half)

• Lead the press by closing down the ball-side centre back.

• Angle your run to force play towards one side.

• Work with the near-side MC to trap the ball wide.

🔴 When the Opposition Has the Ball (Our Half)

• Stay high and central to be ready for counter-attacks.

• Position yourself to receive an outlet pass from defence.

• Keep their defenders thinking — even when we’re defending, you’re a threat.