Soccer: Tactical Formations We'd Like to See More of in 2012

Since the innovation of the flat 4 in the late 1980’s, most professional and international teams have adopted the system as part of their standard tactics.

In its most common evolution, the flat 4 is deployed as a straight forward 4-4-2 and is easily the most widely used formation in Europe and a favorite of Sir Alex Ferguson and Manchester United.

While some top clubs use a 4-3-3—like Chelsea, Barcelona, Arsenal and Manchester City—only a few outside the elite are willing to challenge the orthodox gospel that is the 4-4-2.

Here are five formations that more clubs should be using.

3-4-3

Systems with three in the back are rarely seen outside of South America.

However, when deployed, they allow for a great deal of creativity and free-flowing play.

The system does not allow for the backs to move forward very often, but it still gives the defenders cover when playing against two strikers.

This formation works best when a team has outside midfielders who work back defensively to provide cover on the flanks and attacking players who can hold the ball.

With the potential for attacking the flanks with two wide forwards, counter-attacking with three dedicated strikers and being tough to mark because of its unorthodox set-up, the 3-4-3 can not only be a  fun system to play in, but can also be a deadly effective system.

4-1-2-1-2 or 4-3-1-2

Many teams in Italy play with a traditional playmaker underneath the forwards, but it is rarely seen in leagues such as the English Premier League.

One of the best examples of a team that could benefit from such a formation switch is Chelsea, who often deploy their creative midfielder Juan Mata as a left striker.

This system allows the forwards to sit higher than normal, as they let the maestro underneath provide them service.

The weakness of this formation can be defending against wide play because, with no natural wing players, responsibility for defending the flanks often falls solely to the outside backs.

5-2-1-2

Playing with five in the back is rare, although a few teams have tinkered with it recently.

When Kenny Dalglish first took over at Liverpool, he faced a dilemma trying to work Martin Skrtel, Jamie Carragher and Daniel Agger into the same side.

For a few games, Dalglish tinkered with a five-man backline, experiencing some success. Some Liverpool fans might wish for him to return to such a formation, especially appreciating the extra cover when Glen Johnson goes wandering forward at inopportune times.

Norwich City also experimented with a five-man backline earlier this season, as the newly promoted side sought to combat more talented EPL teams by staying tight defensively and looking for counterattacks.

3-5-2

As stated before, teams in top European leagues rarely try to go three in the back, but the 3-5-2 can be a very dynamic system.

The beauty of the 3-5-2 is that it provides three center backs to maintain defensive cover, while crowding the midfield with three central players and two wide players. This still leaves two forwards to maintain a high line and keep the opponent honest.

Most of the world abandoned the 3-5-2 in the late 1980’s and early 1990’s, but a new, innovative and risk-taking coach could make his side very tough to play against by resurrecting this classic formation.

4-2-3-1

A favorite of Jose Mourinho since his move to Real Madrid, the 4-2-3-1 is a very flexible system that provides two holding midfielders and four dedicated attacking players.

The fluidity of the wide attackers and the withdrawn forward make defending this system a nightmare, as late runners into the box frequently end up unmarked.

This system requires a very talented maestro to play underneath the lone striker and speedy wingers. It works best with a strong, big, technical forward who can take advantage of the service he’ll see from the flanks.

Despite losing in the finals, the Netherlands deployed this system with great effectiveness in the 2010 World Cup and certainly could have won the game with some better finishing from their attackers.

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