Best 9 v 9 Soccer Formations: U12 Positions & Systems (Coaches & Players)

Reading Time: 11 minutes

9 V.s 9 soccer formations are fun to implement. It makes you feel like a team when everyone knows their new role so that you can outsmart your opponent.

Formations for youth games are different than selecting one for an adult game.

Which soccer formation is the best 9 v.s 9 soccer formation?

For a defensive system, use 4-3-1. For a neutral formation, choose 2-4-2, and for an attacking formation pick a 2-1-3-2. Play to your team’s strengths and have appropriate players for your formation.

How to Coach 9 v 9 Soccer: Positions – Players – Tactics

One of the best ways to introduce a new formation is by changing one player at a time. This could be during a game or at the halftime team talk.

Dropping one player back or moving one forward allows players to adapt to a new system gradually. Too many changes at once can cause chaos!

When I was a youth player, my coach did not have a formation board, not even a piece of paper! I once felt unsure of where to be, so I played safe and did not go forward.

Before we look at formations, for those newer to the game, here is a soccer field diagram to show what is what.

soccer basic field infographics
Soccer field infographic

Formations – Positions – Systems: Considerations

Choosing your formation to play will depend on the following key points. When picking your system, getting the best out of your players is the intention.

Where to Put The Best Players

Players often have a favorite player to play with – a trust factor may be because of a knowledge of what they can do and where they’ll be.

A common saying in soccer is to build a team around your best player. Wherever that player is playing, who do they work with the best?

If your best player is a midfielder who can play a ball 60 yards into the corner, have a winger willing to run into space.

Where to put Weak Players

An opponent will look for weaknesses in your team, and any good coach will change the game to utilize your weak point.

Be sure to minimize the risk by pairing players up who combine well.

You might have a central defender who is good at heading the ball but is slow. Players who play next to each other ideally complement one another with their attributes.

Soccer Positions - Defense Midfield Forward. Field Diagram. SoccerBlade.com
Soccer Positions – Defense Midfield Forward. Field Diagram. SoccerBlade.com

How to Use Pace & The Fastest Players

Having pace is always a good trait for a team. Whether it’s the full-back in recovery or a winger taking on a player, it can be influential.

You don’t necessarily need the speed if you’ve players like Iniesta and Xavi, who can accurately control the ball and pass.

A player with pace is best placed in a position that’ll be dangerous. Have them in a position where they’ll more often face a 1-on-1 situation.

Youth Soccer Players - Two players battling for the ball
Youth Soccer Players – Two players, battling for the ball

Player Combinations – Defense & Attack

Tiki Taka is widely known for its combination play. That’s short, quick passing with one or two touches, played at a speed that is hard to close down and intercept.

When players are in their positions, they’ll not only be combining with those directly next to them but those on a diagonal.

So a full-back will be linking with a central midfielder. Forming combinations can be highly effective. You ideally need to play in triangles.

A player ideally will have two options when to pass the ball – this is the triangle. Players waiting for a pass will constantly move to create an opportunity to pass.

When the ball is passed, there will be a new triangle of players that should be on the move away from their markers.

Isolated Players – Work as a Team

It’s important when picking players to play there that they’ve got the right attributes. They need a good ‘engine’ to get up and down.

See also  Moving Without the Ball (Off The Ball Movement)

The full-backs are expected to work the full field length in a wingback formation. They can become isolated. The same applies to the lone strikers, they need support from other players or a quality pass.

The striker will often be playing against two defenders, so they either need to have the pace to get behind or be able to hold up the ball.

9 v 9 Soccer Formations

2-4-2 Formation – Positions: Diagrams

242 positions - u12 (9 v 9 soccer formations)
2-4-2 Strong Midfield

Pros

  • Strong Midfield
  • Wide players
  • 2 strikers

Cons

  • Can turn to a 4-2-2
  • Defenders can be exposed
  • Strikers need to defend from the front

For this youth under 12’s formation, you need two wide players that enjoy running. Most often, the play will be central for youth games, so they won’t be needed as much.

It’s a balanced formation with two permanent defenders and two strikers.

The key is with the midfield and how they defend an attack. There must be runs from the middle to keep the opponents on the back foot.

2-4-2 Player Zones

242 player areas - u12

As mentioned, the wingers are required to cover the length of the field, so they must be good runners. More often than not the ball will be central.

The player zones for this formation are simple and easy for a youth team to grasp.

As with most formations, it’s best to be compact in defense – players go narrow, closing the gaps.

Spread out in attack, creating space and opportunities.

This formation relies on combination play between two players that are paired – defenders, midfielders, and attackers.

They must work together (it’s best to build up a bond in training and pair them together). On occasion, one midfielder will attack, and the other will support.

2-4-2 Defensive Positions

242 defense 2 - u12

In the defensive positions, the attackers will close down players with the ball near the halfway line – but also be ready for a counter-attack and get in space.

The main problem areas are covered in this system when the players are in position.

It might be advisable to have one of the attackers drop back into the center when defending to stop the attack from the middle through the midfielders.

2-4-2 Attacking Positions

242 attack formation - u12

Two strikers in the box will always cause problems for the opposition, and that is backed up by the midfield – it’s an attacking line-up.

Depending on the type of wingers you’ve, they can either attack the box and help the strikers, or they can cover for the two central midfielders when they attack,

With the two strikers, it’s always good to get crosses into the box and cause problems. It won’t always create a goal, but persistence will pay off.

The goalkeeper should be on the edge of their box, so they’re ready for any balls over the top.

2-4-2 Danger Zones

242 formation problem areas 2 - u12

The corners of this formation can cause problems if the opposition has good wingers. You’ll need to decide if the defenders follow the attackers or stay zonal.

As mentioned, the midfield needs to be able to help the defense so they’re not isolated.

Because the formation is flat, there are pockets of space between the defense and midfield.

The midfield should be closer to the defense when out of possession, making a compact unit.

3-4-1 Formation and Diagrams

341 formation u12 formation (9 v 9 soccer formations)
3-4-1 Defensive Formation

Pros

  • Solid defense
  • Strong foundation
  • Counter attacking

Cons

  • Striker can be isolated
  • The striker needs to be very strong or fast
  • Needs runners

For a good formation to begin with for under 12’s, the 3-4-1 is a good place to start. With players covering the dangerous areas, it can make the team stable.

For this formation to work, you must have a good striker (and alternative for injury).

They must be able to hold the ball up, bring others into play, or be fast to take on a player. The winger must attack and support the striker.

3-4-1 Player Zones

341 player positions u12 formation

The fullbacks can move forward when in possession, but their main priority is to defend. The central defender will always be defending, and it’s ideal if they’ve good speed, so they’re not beaten by any runs.

The wingers will focus on attacking, so this formation is good if you’ve two players that can dribble the ball past players.

The wingers will not always be back in place for defending, so the central midfield and defenders must expect it.

The striker must look for the spaces to run into for a through ball and be around the goal for crosses.

3-4-1 Defensive Positions

341 defence 2 u12 formation

This formation provides plenty of cover in the goal box. With three players, the attacking team will find it difficult to break down. With two midfielders in front of the defense, they cover the spaces between the lines.

At times the defensive sides will go out to cover the wings, so the team must shuffle across to cover.

The striker will stop the opposition defenders from playing the ball, and they’ll find space so that they can attack.

The striker mustn’t be around the defenders so that they can hold the ball up and bring other players into play.

3-4-1 Attacking Positions

341 attack u12 formation

In an attack, the wingers will be pushed up the field, ready to support the striker, and running from this angle can cause many problems.

The striker must move in all directions to look for space to cause problems.

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The advantage of this formation is that the two midfielders can support the attack knowing that they’ve three defenders behind them to cover for any counter-attacks.

When the ball is in the opponent’s box, the two wide defenders can move forward a little so that they’re slightly advanced – this can build up the attack if the ball goes back.

3-4-1 Danger Zones

341 problem areas u12 formation

The center of the defense is well covered with three defenders for under 12s. Problems can occur when the ball is wide, and the winger is forward.

Normally it’s best for the defender to go wide and for the other two to move central to cover the goal.

Again, as this formation is flat, there is space between the defense and attack, so the midfield must drop back to minimize the gaps.

The two wide defenders must be close to the center back. If they’re spread out, gaps will appear for the opponents.

4-3-1 Formation and Diagrams

431 formation - U12 (9 v 9 soccer formations)
4-3-1 Christmas Tree

Pros

  • Defensive
  • Adaptable
  • Solid

Cons

  • Need good fullbacks
  • Isolated striker
  • Restricts attacks

For an under 12’s team with a good striker, the 4-3-1 formation could be good for you.

It’s a solid base to work from. Setting up like this will limit your opponent, which allows you to develop your style of play and system.

The key to this formation is the striker and the fullbacks. It can be highly effective if the fullbacks can time their runs forward and cover themselves when needed.

4-3-1 Player Zones

431 player areas

The fullbacks will advance when in position, like a wingback. This is not always expected by the opposition and can catch them out.

It’s the role of the central midfielder to cover for the fullbacks if they’re out of position.

The wide midfielders are to keep close to the center midfielder and not to be dragged out wide too often. It should be when attacking if they’re out wide on the byline.

As with any lone striker formation, they need to be supported for it to work.

The support will mainly come from the two wider midfielders, backed up by the central midfielder and fullbacks.

4-3-1 Defensive Positions

431 defense areas

This is one of the hardest formations in the under 12s to break down. All the danger areas are covered when all players are in their defensive positions.

The midfielders are ideally placed to block the lines through the defense. The team is compact here, but they must be ready to counter-attack.

When the ball is regained from this shape, the players must move wider to create space.

Dribbling skills are needed to take the ball in an advanced area before they can find support.

4-3-1 Attacking Positions

431 attack areas 2

In attack, the formation covers the key areas, and everyone has their own space to attack. The two central defenders will always be at the back, which gives security for the other players to advance.

Movement is key for this formation; as shown in the defensive shape, it can look like a restrictive shape, but now on the attack, it looks dangerous.

The two wide midfielders must get in the box as often as possible when in possession to cause problems.

4-3-1 Danger Zones

431 problem areas 2

The main problem with this system is the position of the midfielders. When the ball is on one wing, the midfield must shuffle across to limit the gaps.

The fullbacks will face many one-on-ones, but they must not let the attacker behind them.

2-1-3-2 Formation and Diagrams

2132 formation u12 (9 v 9 soccer formations)
2-1-3-2 Attacking

Pros

  • Two strikers
  • Compact
  • Central

Cons

  • No width
  • wide players stretched
  • Communication

The ball will be central for most games in the under 12s, so this formation is suited to be played if you see the ball in your league.

This formation gives an attacking edge with a solid midfield. Two central midfielders, one defensive and the other attacking.

There could be a danger in the wings if the players and not communicate.

2-1-3-2 Player Zones

2132 player positions u12

Normal wide players need to be athletic to cover most of the field. This is highly important to give some width, so the team is not stretched.

Two solid defenders work together to keep it stable at the bank and the defensive midfielder.

The team has its strength in the midfield with the 3 players and one support, along with two strikers, gives an attacking look.

As mentioned, the areas on the wing are not covered well – this can be overcome if the team effectively shuffles across as a unit.

2-1-3-2 Defensive Positions

2132 defence formation

The central part of the field is covered well, demonstrating the vulnerable areas out wide. So the wide midfielders will be responsible for covering the wings, so they need to be able to run a lot.

When the ball is in the box, the team can transform into a 3-3-2 formation, which gives the team an adaptable system.

If the team is under a lot of pressure, the strikers can drop back further to help out and keep the team compact.

2-1-3-2 Attacking Positions

2132 attack u12

Two strikers in the box that work well together are positive, and this can be made into a front three when the attacking midfielder breaks forward.

Again the wide midfielders will be required to give with supplying balls into the box. The defensive midfielder should always be available to keep possession of the ball and start attacks.

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2-1-3-2 Danger Zones

2132 formation problem areas

The corners and wide areas are the main concern. As mentioned, the wide midfielders can track back and cover if they’ve got the energy to get up and down.

A backup to this problem is for the players to move back towards the goal, keep the formation compact at the back, and deal with any crosses that come in.

Have fun with your players testing and trialing 9 vs. 9 soccer formations.

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9 V 9 Soccer Formations PDF

Free PDF Download: Under 12’s – 9 vs 9 soccer Formations – Infographic – Tactics Field

Where do you put your weakest player in soccer?

A weaker player will be supported by teammates around them and not be exposed to a one-on-one situation defending their goal.

Which position is best in soccer?

A central midfielder will enjoy all parts of the game as they will be involved in defending and attacking.

How do you become a good soccer coach?

Players enjoy training when they have a ball, especially when there is a game. Keep them happy with training variations and a focus on playing as a team to build unity.

8e83cfb63d54c9260fa694b185c6bca8?s=150&d=mp&r=g ○ Soccer Blade
Soccer Analyst and Publisher at Soccer Blade | Soccer Blade | + posts

Joel is a seasoned soccer journalist and analyst with many years of experience in the field. Joel specializes in game analysis, player profiles, transfer news, and has a keen eye for the tactical nuances of the game. He played at various levels in the game and coached teams - he is happy to share his insight with you.

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Soccer Tactics FAQ

Can you block in soccer?

You can block a pass, shot, cross, or throw-in. It’s legal to block the ball using any part of the body other than the hands or arm (up to the shoulder). 

Why do players fake injuries? 

Although it’s disrespectful to opponents and fans, some players fake injuries to win a free kick or penalty, sometimes to stop a counter-attack, also to waste time to run the clock down, and they might try to get an opponent booked or sent off. 

How do you increase soccer awareness?

+ Scan the field before getting the ball
+ Keep an open body position
+ Keep your eyes in front of the ball when dribbling
+ Lookup after taking bigger touches

Why do soccer players and coaches cover their mouths when talking?

Soccer players hold their mouths when talking for 3 reasons: To keep conversations private from the public, Keep tactical discussions secret, and amplify their voices.

Why do soccer players raise their hands?

This is done to communicate with their teammates during a game for a pass, to say they are in space, plus to let teammates know what routine set-play is going to be taken. Players also raise their hands to celebrate a goal or signal that they are injured.

What are some ways to pass a soccer ball?

+ Inside foot: Using the area above and inside of the big toe.
+ Outside foot: This creates a spin on the ball to swerve the ball around players
+ The Laces: A powerful volley can be performed with a straight leg swing.
+ Spin: If the toes get underneath the ball with some force you create a backspin.
+ Back heel: Connect the heel with the ball to reverse play.
+ Header: Often used for clearing and shooting, but can be a creative passing move.
+ Body: Use any part of the body to deflect the ball into the path you desire.


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