Is The Classic 4 4 2 Soccer Formation Dead?

The good old 442 soccer formation. It's the BLT of formations, simple, popular and loved.

So you want to play this formation on the pitch but you don't know too much about it? No problem, the in's and out's of the formation with detailed specifics on each positions role on the field on both sides of the ball.

Detailed overview of which professional sides use this formation and why it's successful for them.

As well as the requirements and demands this formation takes on from an individualistic stand point and as a team. Okay Mourinho time to learn all there is about your teams shape.

Tips From A Professional Coach About The 442 Soccer Formation

What Are The Top 5 Advantages To Playing A 442 Soccer Formation?

1. Two Strikers

Always a handful for opposing defences to deal with having two capable dynamic strikers is a massive advantage and will put the opposition on high alert straight from kick off.

Their ability to combine, take up dangerous spaces and press together can give you a tactical advantage that's unmatched.

2. Balanced Lines

You have good numbers on the defensive, midfield and forward line where hopefully you can manage any opposing teams tactics.

Having 4 in each of the first two lines allows you to cover width and shift over when necessary, a strong formation is a balanced one.

3. Wide Area Support

Whether it's a big diagonal ball to the wide channel or a clearance heading that way having the ability for a striker and a winger two pursue a ball in the wide areas is a big plus.

Don't be afraid to big and wide when you get the chance.

4. Easy Long Outlets

Whenever a team is in possession and gets in trouble the obvious release pass is down the field to the wings.

With two strikers and wingers supporting them in wide areas this makes routine clearances of the ball advantageous in a 442.

5. Difficult To Break Down

When you put 11 players behind the ball in front of your own goal any formation is difficult to breakdown and the 442 soccer formation is no different.

If you're looking fore information of the advantages of a 4 4 2 soccer formation and others feel free to read this article on Football Tactics and Formations Explained.

What Are The Top 5 Weakness To Playing A 4 4 2 Soccer Formation?

1. Can Get Outnumbered In The Middle

With only two flat in the middle a team that plays with 3 centrally may cause some issues both in and out of possession of the ball.

2. Lazy Strikers Can Cause Issues

Without two hard working strikers this formation can start to have some gaps between the midfield and striker lines especially.

If you're going to play with 2 up top, make sure they help out on both sides of the ball.

3. Not Much Defensive Protection

Having that defensive center midfielder roaming around always adds a level of security to any back 4.

This formation lacks that and can be an issue if your other two center mids don't make up for it defensively.

4. Gaps Between Lines

If the lines are stepping and dropping in unison you may end up with flat lines and holes between them where attackers can sit in and prey.

Have good depth in each of your lines to avoid the spaces in-between the formation.

5. Need For Quality Striker

Average strikers make this set up average at best.

The only way the opposition will be reluctant to send numbers forward is if your two strikers pose a real threat.

If they aren't goal scorers or goal creators you can expect trouble the other way.

Which Pro Teams Play In A 4-4-2 Soccer Formation?

The most famous professional side that plays in a 4 4 2 is Atletico Madrid. Next time you watch them play watch how low they sit in the formation when they are defending deep in their own half. Also pay close attention to how the two top strikers interact with each other and how they move off one another.

We know their Coach Simeone loves playing this formation but because it's what he knows but if you notice he always has at least 3 capable strikers that work and can score goals. Having capable hard working strikers is essential to a 4 4 2 soccer formation getting the goals necessary one end but being the first line of solid defensive pressure.

Another team that plays in a 4 4 2 soccer formation is Leicester City of the Premier League.

With a striker like Jamie Vardy you can't blame them, sure they combine with him here and there when they need to but they are looking for route 1 over the top to the speedy clinical striker.

Just like Suarez with Atletico, Vardy works his socks off defensively then transitions beautifully to get on the other end of balls over the top.

I know I know some of you may thinking this formation is out of style and for the direct unattractive teams. Get that out of your head and think about what suits the players the coach has and if it's a 442 so be it.

Is This An Attacking Or Defensive Formation?

Sounds like a pretty attacking set up doesn't it? Like any formation it's how you use it.

A typical old school English team can play a 4 4 2 super direct all out offence, where an Atletico Madrid can use it to sit deep and defend with 11 and both are effective.

So if you have the right players and style of play it can be whatever you heart desires.

Is The 4 4 2 Soccer Formation Right For Your Team?

When determining whether the 4 4 2 soccer formation is for your side you need to ask yourself a few questions.

1. Does this formation provide what I want?

2. Do I have the players necessary to accomplish what I want?

3. Does this formation suit the players I have?

After you've answered these three questions you can start to decide if the well balanced 4 4 2 is for you.

Does this formation combined with the players you have provide a natural fit for your team to be successful? Or are you trying to fly with eagles when you're working with chickens. That's why they pay you the medium bucks coach!

As a player it's important to understand not only the responsibilities of your own position but of others as well. This deeper insight to what's expected of others as well can only help you become a better player. Sometimes knowing others roles helps you understand your own better.

Defenders Positioning

The Defensive line can play:

Flat back 4 across the back in a straight line (most common 90% of teams will play a 4 4 2 with a flat back four).

Flat back 3 with a Sweeper in behind the three acting as a safety valve (less common).

Defenders Responsibilities

In a 4 4 2 soccer formation the back four should:

Work as a unit in terms of holding players in front of them accountable for their defensive obligations as well as covering for one another as the situation changes.

Center Backs

No one ball should beat the both of them (one steps, one provides cover at all times).

Lead vocally and by example (organizing etc).

Outside Backs

Ability to patrol the flank defensively and join in the attack as well (priority to provide cover for the outside back).

The outlet pass for central midfielders (knowing when to provide that outlet and stay and when to fly in to the attack).

Midfielders Positioning

The Midfield line can play:

Flat 4 across the middle.

Flat 3 with a holding defensive center midfielder in behind them (so 1 defender with 3 in front).

Flat 3 with an attacking center midfielder in front of them (so flat 3 defenders with 1 in front).

A Diamond Shape (holding defensive center mid, two players wide, and one in front of them).

A Square Shape (2 and then 2).

ohhhh we could go for days, the 4 4 2 in the middle has several variations.

Midfielders Responsibilities

As a unit in a 4 4 2 soccer formation the middle four should:

Control the rhythm of the game and be the most creative line in the formation.

Ability to link with their teammates in front and behind them in establishing the flow of the game.

Able to attack and defend plain and simple, play on both sides of the ball.

Center Midfielders

Able to keep the ball and create offence.

Distribution.

Hold the middle of the park, a teams formation is at its highest risk when penetrated down the middle of it.

You need to make sure these two midfielders have a good work rate and are able to deal with teams that line up with 3 center midfielders.

If these players are one way players then get ready for the red sea to open in the middle of the park.

Outside Midfielders

Able to support the outside backs on both sides of the ball.

Give the team width and ability to serve and create from a wide position.

Strikers Positioning

In a 4 4 2 soccer formation the Forward line can play:

Flat 2 side by side (most common).

One on top of the other.

Staggered in several variations.

If you're not getting what you want from your strikers consider playing two players who have complimentary but contrasting styles in attack. For example a physical good hold up striker with a speedy run in behind type of striker.

Even if you need to move someone up top who isn't a typical striker sometimes giving the opponents back line two different weapons to deal with can cause them issues.

Strikers Responsibilities

First line of defensive pressure.

Play close to one another to combine giving defences headaches.

Give depth to the teams shape.

Oh and a goal or two would hurt (I mean it's a 4 4 2 give us something).

Some things never go out of style, jeans, mullets, mom tattoos and the 4 4 2.

If you're that lone striker up top in a different formation you may want to tell you coach to give you somebody to work with up top, I mean it can't be you, it MUST be the formation right?

Many coaches like this formation because it allows for free flowing offence and you don't give up too much at the back. This set has been proven over time to be successful with the right pieces implemented, so if you hit a cold streak don't go blaming the formation.

Formations and team philosophies go hand and hand. If your coaching philosophy is that of a discipline nature and you have a formation which lacks to stress that theme then you may have some holes in your armour. Find a set that fits what you are preaching and teaching daily, the 4 4 2 might be for you.

Goalkeepers Positioning

A goalkeeper wants to stay connected with his back 4 at about 15-20 yards behind the last defender in case there is a need to come off their line.

It's always easier to run forward than backwards to make up ground so air on the side of 20 yards.

Goalkeepers Responsibiliites

Constant vocal defensive instruction.

Aggressive off of their line.

Finding strikers in space on all counter attacking opportunities.

It may seem the goalkeeper has the same role in every formation (stop the damn ball from going in) but there's much more to it than that.

If you're playing a formation with a little less defensive support like a back 3 or without a defensive center midfielder than the keeper needs to be quick off their line and act as a sweeper at times.

Just look how Manuel Neur from Bayern Munchen has revolutionized the position by coming off his life and clearing balls that fall in between himself and his defenders.

Goalkeepers in a 4 4 2 soccer formation play a vital role larger than just shot stopping, the sooner you incorporate your goalkeepers qualities into your soccer formation decision making the sooner you can get the best out of each and every player.