This site uses cookies. By continuing to browse the ConceptDraw site you are agreeing to our Use of Site Cookies.

Soccer (Football) Formation

Using diagrams is the easiest way to explain the soccer formations. The Soccer solution from the Sport area of ConceptDraw Solution Park is designed as a tool that helps you produce the soccer diagrams in a few minutes. The predesigned samples of the Soccer solution for ConceptDraw PRO depict the most popular formation diagrams.
"In association football, the formation describes how the players in a team are positioned on the pitch. Different formations can be used depending on whether a team wishes to play more attacking or defensive football. ...
The 4–3–3 was a development of the 4–2–4, and was played by the Brazilian national team in the 1962 World Cup. The extra player in midfield allows a stronger defence, and the midfield could be staggered for different effects. The three midfielders normally play closely together to protect the defence, and move laterally across the field as a coordinated unit. The three forwards split across the field to spread the attack, and may be expected to mark the opposition full-backs as opposed to doubling back to assist their own full-backs, as do the wide midfielders in a 4–4–2. When used from the start of a game, this formation is widely regarded as encouraging expansive play, and should not be confused with the practice of modifying a 4–4–2 by bringing on an extra forward to replace a midfield player when behind in the latter stages of a game. This formation is suited for a short passing game and useful for ball retention.
A staggered 4–3–3 involving a defensive midfielder (usually numbered four or six) and two attacking midfielders (numbered eight and ten) was commonplace in Italy, Argentina, and Uruguay during the 1960s and 1970s. The Italian variety of 4–3–3 was simply a modification of WM, by converting one of the two wing-halves to a libero (sweeper), whereas the Argentine and Uruguayan formations were derived from 2–3–5 and retained the notional attacking centre-half. The national team which made this famous was the Dutch team of the 1974 and 1978 World Cups, even though the team won neither." [Formation (association football). Wikipedia]
The diagram example "Association football (soccer) formation 4-3-3" was created using the ConceptDraw PRO diagramming and vector drawing software extended with the Football solution from the Sport area of ConceptDraw Solution Park.
www.conceptdraw.com/ solution-park/ sport-soccer
Association football (soccer) formation diagram
Association football (soccer) formation diagram, midfielder, wide midfield, right midfield, midfielder, wide midfield, left midfield, left wing, midfielder, centre midfield, goalkeeper, end zone view football field, end zone view soccer field, defender, right-back, full-backs, defender, left-back, full-backs, defender, centre-back, central defender, centre-half, stopper,
Used Solutions
"The goal line is the chalked or painted line dividing the end zone from the field of play in American football and Canadian football. It is the line that must be crossed in order to score a touchdown
If any part of the ball reaches any part of the imaginary vertical plane transected by this line while in-bounds and in possession of a player whose team is striving toward that end of the field, this is considered a touchdown and scores six points for the team whose player has advanced the ball to, or recovered the ball in, this position. This is in contrast with other sports like Association football and ice hockey, which require the puck or ball to pass completely over the goal line to count as a score.
If any member of the offensive team is downed while in possession of the ball behind his own team's goal line, this is called a safety and scores two points for the defensive team.
If, during the course of play, a loose ball travels past the goal line and is recovered within the end zone, then it is a touchdown if recovered by the kicking team, or a touchback if recovered and downed by the receiving team.
In the event of a kick recovered in one's own end zone, the entirety of the ball must pass the goal line in order for the ball to be considered in the field of play, and not a touchback." [Goal line (gridiron football). Wikipedia]
The American football positions diagram example "Goal line formation (Offense/ Defense)" was created using the ConceptDraw PRO diagramming and vector drawing software extended with the Football solution from the Sport area of ConceptDraw Solution Park.
American football positions diagram
American football positions diagram, linebackers, LB, defensive tackle, DT, cornerback, CB,
Used Solutions
"In association football, the formation describes how the players in a team are positioned on the pitch. Different formations can be used depending on whether a team wishes to play more attacking or defensive football. ...
The 2–3–5 was originally known as the "Pyramid", with the numerical formation being referenced retrospectively. ...
For the first time, a balance between attacking and defending was reached. When defending, the two defenders (fullbacks), would watch out for the opponent's wingers (the outside players in the attacking line), while the midfielders (halfbacks) would watch for the other three forwards.
The centre halfback had a key role in both helping to organise the team's attack and marking the opponent's centre forward, supposedly one of their most dangerous players.
It was this formation which gave rise to the convention of shirt numbers." [Formation (association football). Wikipedia]
The diagram example "Association football (soccer) formation 2–3–5 (pyramid)" was created using the ConceptDraw PRO diagramming and vector drawing software extended with the Football solution from the Sport area of ConceptDraw Solution Park.
www.conceptdraw.com/ solution-park/ sport-soccer
Association football (soccer) formation diagram
Association football (soccer) formation diagram, midfielder, wide midfield, right midfield, midfielder, wide midfield, left midfield, left wing, midfielder, centre midfield, goalkeeper, end zone view football field, end zone view soccer field, defender, right-back, full-backs, defender, left-back, full-backs,
Used Solutions
"In association football, the formation describes how the players in a team are positioned on the pitch. Different formations can be used depending on whether a team wishes to play more attacking or defensive football. ...
The WM system was created in the mid-1920s by Herbert Chapman of Arsenal to counter a change in the offside law in 1925. The change had reduced the number of opposition players that attackers needed between themselves and the goal-line from three to two. This led to the introduction of a centre-back to stop the opposing centre-forward, and tried to balance defensive and offensive playing. The formation became so successful that by the late-1930s most English clubs had adopted the WM. Retrospectively, the WM has either been described as a 3–2–5 or as a 3–4–3, or more precisely a 3–2–2–3 reflecting the letters which symbolised it. The gap in the centre of the formation between the two wing halves and the two inside forwards allowed Arsenal to counter-attack effectively. The W-M was subsequently adapted by several English sides, but none could apply it in quite the same way Chapman had. This was mainly due to the comparative rarity of Alex James in the English game. He was one of the earliest playmakers in the history of the game, and the hub around which Chapman's Arsenal revolved." [Formation (association football). Wikipedia]
The diagram example "Association football (soccer) formation 3-2-5 (WM)" was created using the ConceptDraw PRO diagramming and vector drawing software extended with the Football solution from the Sport area of ConceptDraw Solution Park.
www.conceptdraw.com/ solution-park/ sport-soccer
Association football (soccer) formation diagram
Association football  (soccer) formation diagram, midfielder, wide midfield, right midfield, midfielder, wide midfield, left midfield, left wing, midfielder, centre midfield, goalkeeper, end zone view football field, end zone view soccer field, defender, right-back, full-backs, defender, left-back, full-backs,
Used Solutions
"In association football, the formation describes how the players in a team are positioned on the pitch. Different formations can be used depending on whether a team wishes to play more attacking or defensive football. ...
4–4–1–1.
A variation of 4–4–2 with one of the strikers playing "in the hole", or as a "second striker", slightly behind their partner. The second striker is generally a more creative player, the playmaker, who can drop into midfield to pick up the ball before running with it or passing to teammates.
Interpretations of 4–4–1–1 can be slightly muddled, as some might say that the extent to which a forward has dropped off and separated himself from the other can be debated." [Formation (association football). Wikipedia]
The diagram example "Association football (soccer) formation 4-4-1-1" was created using the ConceptDraw PRO diagramming and vector drawing software extended with the Football solution from the Sport area of ConceptDraw Solution Park.
www.conceptdraw.com/ solution-park/ sport-soccer
Association football (soccer) formation diagram
Association football (soccer) formation diagram, midfielder, wide midfield, right midfield, right wing, midfielder, wide midfield, right midfield, midfielder, wide midfield, left midfield, left wing, midfielder, centre midfield, goalkeeper, end zone view football field, end zone view soccer field, defender, right-back, full-backs, defender, left-back, full-backs, defender, centre-back, central defender, centre-half, stopper,
Used Solutions
"In association football, the formation describes how the players in a team are positioned on the pitch. Different formations can be used depending on whether a team wishes to play more attacking or defensive football. ...
4–4–2.
This formation was the most common in football in the 1990s and early 2000s, so well known that it has even inspired a magazine title, FourFourTwo. The midfielders are required to work hard to support both the defence and the attack: typically one of the central midfielders is expected to go upfield as often as possible to support the forward pair, while the other will play a "holding role", shielding the defence; the two wide midfield players must move up the flanks to the goal line in attacks and yet also protect the fullback wide defenders." [Formation (association football). Wikipedia]
The diagram example "Association football (soccer) formation 4-4-2" was created using the ConceptDraw PRO diagramming and vector drawing software extended with the Football solution from the Sport area of ConceptDraw Solution Park.
www.conceptdraw.com/ solution-park/ sport-soccer
Association football (soccer) formation diagram
Association football (soccer) formation diagram, midfielder, wide midfield, right midfield, right wing, midfielder, wide midfield, right midfield, midfielder, wide midfield, left midfield, left wing, midfielder, centre midfield, goalkeeper, end zone view football field, end zone view soccer field, defender, right-back, full-backs, defender, left-back, full-backs, defender, centre-back, central defender, centre-half, stopper,
Used Solutions
"The shotgun formation is a formation used by the offensive team in American and Canadian football. This formation is used mainly for passing plays, although some teams use it as their base formation. In the shotgun, instead of the quarterback receiving the snap from center at the line of scrimmage, he stands farther behind the line of scrimmage, often five to seven yards back. Sometimes the quarterback will have a back on one or both sides before the snap, while other times he will be the lone player in the backfield with everyone spread out as receivers." [Shotgun formation. Wikipedia]
The American football positions diagram example "Shotgun formation (Offense)" was created using the ConceptDraw PRO diagramming and vector drawing software extended with the Football solution from the Sport area of ConceptDraw Solution Park.
American football positions diagram
American football positions diagram, wide receiver, WR, tight end, TE, offensive tackle, T, offensive guard, G, holder, H, center, C,
Used Solutions
"In association football, the formation describes how the players in a team are positioned on the pitch. Different formations can be used depending on whether a team wishes to play more attacking or defensive football. ...
The 3–3–4 formation was similar to the WW, with the notable exception of having an inside-forward (as opposed to centre-forward) deployed as a midfield schemer alongside the two wing-halves. This formation would be commonplace during the 1950s and early 1960s. One of the best exponents of the system was the Tottenham Hotspur double-winning side of 1961, which deployed a midfield of Danny Blanchflower, John White and Dave Mackay. FC Porto won the 2005–06 Portuguese national championship using this unusual formation under manager Co Adriaanse." [Formation (association football). Wikipedia]
The diagram example "Association football (soccer) formation 3-4-3" was created using the ConceptDraw PRO diagramming and vector drawing software extended with the Football solution from the Sport area of ConceptDraw Solution Park.
www.conceptdraw.com/ solution-park/ sport-soccer
Association football (soccer) formation diagram
Association football (soccer) formation diagram, midfielder, wide midfield, right midfield, right wing, midfielder, wide midfield, right midfield, midfielder, wide midfield, left midfield, left wing, midfielder, centre midfield, goalkeeper, end zone view football field, end zone view soccer field, defender, centre-back, central defender, centre-half, stopper,
Used Solutions
"In American football, a T formation (frequently called the full house formation in modern usage) is a formation used by the offensive team in which three running backs line up in a row about five yards behind the quarterback, forming the shape of a "T".
Numerous variations of the T formation have been developed, including the Power-T, where two tight ends are used, the Pro T, which uses one tight end and one wide receiver, or the Wing T, where one of the running backs (or wingback) lines up one step behind and to the side of the tight end. Any of these can be run using the original spacing, which produced a front of about seven yards, or the Split-T spacing, where the linemen were farther apart and the total length of the line was from 10-16 yards." [T formation. Wikipedia]
The American football positions diagram example "Offensive formation - T-formation" was created using the ConceptDraw PRO diagramming and vector drawing software extended with the Football solution from the Sport area of ConceptDraw Solution Park.
American football positions diagram
American football positions diagram, tight end, TE, quarterback, QB, offensive tackle, T, offensive guard, G, halfback, fullback, center, C,
Used Solutions

soccer field, football field, soccer field dimensions, football field dimensions, soccer positions, football positions, soccer diagram, football diagram Soccer

soccer field, football field, soccer field dimensions, football field dimensions, soccer positions, football positions, soccer diagram, football diagram
The Soccer (Football) Solution extends ConceptDraw PRO v9.5 (or later) software with samples, templates, and libraries of vector objects for drawing soccer (football) diagrams, plays schemas, and illustrations. It can be used to make professional looking

Defensive Formation – 4-3 Defense Diagram

Using diagrams is the easiest way to explain American Football defensive formations. The Football solution for ConceptDraw PRO contains a set of samples depicts the most popular defensive formations diagrams. Using embedded presentation tools you are able to share your football knowledge with wide audience.
"In the sport of association football, each of the eleven players on a team is assigned to a particular position on the field of play. A team is made up of one goalkeeper and ten outfield players who fill various defensive, midfield and attacking positions depending on the formation deployed. These positions describe both the player's main role and their area of operation on the pitch. ...
Goalkeeper is the most defensive position in football. The goalkeeper's main job is to stop the other team from scoring by catching, palming or punching the ball from shots, headers and crosses. ...
Defenders play behind the midfielders and their primary responsibility is to provide support to the team and to prevent the opposition from scoring a goal. They usually remain in the half of the field that contains the goal they are defending. Taller defenders will move forward to the opposing team's penalty box when their team takes corner kicks or free kicks, where scoring with one's head is a possibility. ...
Midfielders (originally called half-backs) are players whose position of play is midway between the attacking forwards and the defenders. Their main duties are to maintain possession of the ball, taking the ball from defenders and feeding it to the strikers, as well as dispossessing opposing players. ...
Forwards (or strikers) are the players who are positioned nearest to the opposing team's goal. The primary responsibility of forwards is to score goals and to create scoring chances for other players." [Association football positions. Wikipedia]
The diagram example "Association football (soccer) positions" was created using the ConceptDraw PRO diagramming and vector drawing software extended with the Football solution from the Sport area of ConceptDraw Solution Park.
www.conceptdraw.com/ solution-park/ sport-soccer
Association football (soccer) positions diagram
Association football (soccer) positions diagram, midfielder, wide midfield, right midfield, right wing, midfielder, wide midfield, left midfield, left wing, midfielder, centre midfield, horizontal football field, horizontal soccer field, goalkeeper, defender, right-back, full-backs, defender, left-back, full-backs, defender, centre-back, central defender, centre-half, stopper,
Used Solutions
The vector stencils library "Soccer (Football) positions" contains 18 symbols for drawing association football (soccer) positions diagram.
"In the sport of association football, each of the eleven players on a team is assigned to a particular position on the field of play. A team is made up of one goalkeeper and ten outfield players who fill various defensive, midfield and attacking positions depending on the formation deployed. These positions describe both the player's main role and their area of operation on the pitch." [Association football positions. Wikipedia]
The symbols example "Design elements - Soccer (Football) positions" was created using the ConceptDraw PRO diagramming and vector drawing software extended with the Soccer solution from the Sport area of ConceptDraw Solution Park.
www.conceptdraw.com/ solution-park/ sport-soccer
Association football (soccer) position symbols
Association football  (soccer) position symbols, midfielder, wide midfield, right midfield, right wing, midfielder, wide midfield, right midfield, midfielder, wide midfield, left midfield, left wing, midfielder, centre midfield, goalkeeper, defender, sweeper, defender, right-back, full-backs, defender, left-back, full-backs, defender, centre-back, central defender, centre-half, stopper,
Used Solutions

Soccer (Football) Diagram Software

Explaining the soccer strategies and techniques is practically impossible without drawing a diagram. ConceptDraw PRO diagramming and vector drawing software extended with Soccer solution from the Sport area of ConceptDraw Solution Park is a very convenient and useful tool for designing the soccer-related diagrams.