Flex 3-5-2 / 5-3-2 (5-2-3-0) - ShareMyTactics.com
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Defense - Will maintain 3 Center backs flat across the back line working together to ensure proper coverage and must communicate to wing backs and center midfielders for additional coverage as needed. Man-to-Man coverage is preferred with any switch off assignments being managed by the Center Back. Backside coverage is obtained by pulling down a wing back to cover the empty space behind the flat line as it shifts towards opposition that attacks from the wing. (so attacking from their right side...they pull down the left wing for back door coverage and creating a 4th defender in the line). Wing Backs - By starting in an advanced position up field and ahead of the back line these players are functioning more like midfielders. However, they will still have a responsibility to get back and defend as dictated by the amount of pressure being mounted by the opposition. They are also the preferred outlet players for goal kicks and punts from the keeper. Stay Wide! They will generally have 3 choices for passing delivery as they advance up the field...1.) a square pass (meaning 90 degrees to either right or left) to Center Midfielder 2.) A direct pass to Center Attacking Midfield who will always be checking to them or 3.) pushing the ball up the line to the forward who is taking the space up field in front of them in an equally wide position. Center Midfielders - These two players will own the center of the pitch and be the playmakers to transition from defense to attacking. They must be responsible in possession as turnovers in this part of the field can kill their team. Everything is quick touches and one and two touch passes. They will have a multitude of passing targets available to them that include: 1.) Each other, square passes to then switch field of play quickly and catch opponents short handed. 2.) Wing Backs...will be making runs straight up sidelines, ball should be played to where wing back runs onto it without breaking stride. 3.) Attacking Center Mid....will always be checking directly to them to receive and allow the center mids to make combination passes with them to break through opponents midfield. 4.) Through balls to releasing forwards to get behind opponents defense with speed. 5.) under heavy duress and defenders at their backs...they can drop ball down to Center Backs who will either clear with a heavy foot or spray balls back out to wing backs to relieve pressure and mount attack from new space. Defensively these two players shall always remain in the middle of the field and should always keep consistent spacing between the two of them of no more than the width of the center circle to avoid being split down the middle and forces opponents into wider positions away from our goal. Attacking Center Midfield - From an advanced position up field, the CAM plays with their back to opponents goal and is always checking in to their teammates to provide opportunities for quick combination passes to break down defense. Once ball is played to spaces behind them (further up field) they must turn and get up field to offer support and be available for crosses or square balls back across the face of goal for scoring opportunities. The CAM is also crucial in guiding the Forwards in their spacing and assignments when pressing the oppositions backline to create turnovers (Think of them being the Bike...and the forwards are the handlebars they are steering towards the opposition to create high pressure up top...remember, 3 players can defend 11 if they do it right) Forwards - Positioned at the width equal to the opponents goal box to enable runs that either penetrate the backline and go to the goal OR that stretch the backline thin by taking their runs out wide to receive the ball. if the opponents employ a heavy offside trap then they have two responsibilities. 1.) Ball Side Forward: they are checking down to receive and release passes to overlapping wingbacks or center midfielders as they will be able to speed past trapping defenders caught flat footed. 2.) Opposite forward: Square runs across the face of the trapping defenders towards the ball side...enables momentum to spring them should ball be played behind or through a lane of the defense, creates confusion in the defense and requires them to switch or follow the runner thus opening big holes behind the defense for opposite side wing backs and center midfielders to make runs towards goal.
