Structure’s, Strategies & Composition

1. Structure’s, Strategies & Composition Key Concept 2 Key Features 1, 2 + 3

2. Goalkeeper – attacking Accurate kick outs Accurate throw out Goalkeeper – defensive Strong Agile Tall Shot stopper Handling Crosses Covering through balls Clearing pass backs Communication Confident Determined

3. Full Backs - defensive Strong Fast Tackler Good positional play Mark opponent / space Composed Determined Concentration Full Backs – Attacking Fast Good passer Overlap Accurate crosser Support

4. Central Defender - Defence Strong Powerful Tall Fast Good header Mark opponent tightly Meet first ball Communicate offside line Confident Determined Central Defender – attacking Accurate passer – Long + Short Offer Support Options for attack at set plays

5. Midfielders – defensive Strong Agile Stamina Tackler Deny space Delay attack Determined Communication Midfielders – attacking Agile Passing / dribbling / shooting / crossing Passing angles - support Creativity / vision Confidence Composure Control

6. Forwards - defensive Fast Immediate pressure Chase Cover Determined Focused Forwards – attacking Agile Fast Dribbling / shooting / heading – holding ball up Running angles - support Creativity / vision Confidence - Composure Control

7. Number 1’s : GK Defending Agile Covering through balls GK attacking Accurate kick outs Number 2’s: GK Defending Clearing pass backs Communication GK attacking Accurate Throws Task

8. Number 1’s : Fullback Defending Tackler Good positional play Fullback attacking Accurate crosser Support Number 2’s : Fullback Defending Mark opponent / space Composed Fullback Attacking Fast Good passer Task – give an example effect this strength has on the game

9. Number 1’s : CentralDef Defending Good header Mark opponent tightly CentralDef attacking Options for attack at set plays Short Passing Number 2’s : CentralDef Defending Communicate offside line Strong CentralDef Attacking Long Passing Offer Support Task – give an example effect this weakness has on the game

10. Number 1’s : Midfielders Defending Stamina Deny Space Midfielders attacking Confidence Accurate Passing Number 2’s : Midfielders Defending Delay attack Tackler Midfielders Attacking Creativity / vision Accurate Crossing Task -1’s example strength2’s example weakness

11. Number 1’s : Forwards Defending Chase Cover Forwards attacking Confidence – Composure Running angles - support Number 2’s : Forwards Defending Immediate pressure Determined Forwards Attacking Fast Dribbling / shooting / heading Task – Both give one as an example strength and one as an example weakness

12. Higher Question 8 - 2010 • Choose an activity and structure, strategy or composition. • (a) (i) Describe one strength when performing in this structure, strategy or composition. Explain the effects this had on your performance. (3) • (ii) Describe one weakness when performing in this structure, strategy or composition. Explain the effects this had on your performance. (3)

13. Higher answering • Some candidates may answer by referring to the strengths / weakness as a team or strengths / weakness of the individual. • Something you / your team was good at • Effect this had for your team / on opponents – opponents exploiting your weakness, your team using your strength

14. Intermediate 2 - 2010 • From the information gathered describe any weakness(es) in your performance within the structure, strategy or composition. (4)

15. Intermediate 2 • Say what strategy your team was trying to achieve (ie get ball wide to cross for strikers…) • What your role in that was • What your weakness (team/individual/both) was • How that affected your teams execution of the strategy (ie My long pass forward was not accurate and…..)

16. Int 2 • You can refer to the strengths / weakness as a team or the individual. • Effect this had on YOUR performance – what effect did it have on your TEAM’S performance

17. 442 Structure / Formation

18. Description of Structure in 100 words • Defence can be flat or sweeper. Sweeper covers behind all players. All defenders zonal or man mark. Defenders support others when on the ball. • Wide midfielders give width, crosses to forwards and attack far post. Protect wide defender against overlapping fullback. Centre midfielders are holding or playmaker. Holding gives depth, balance and cover. Playmaker links defence to attack. • Forwards play together as target and faster forward. Or one striker and one second striker between midfield and striker.

19. 352 Structure / Formation

20. 4231 / 451 Structure / Formation

21. Anonymous task • For each formation, provide a written description of the structure (responsibility/job of players) in NO MORE than 100 words • When you mark the anonymous sheet you need to: • Ask a question about EACH structure • “as Well as a flat back four, how else could the defence be shaped?”

22. Benefits and Limitations • 442 structure / formation • 352 Structure / formation • 4231structure / formation

23. STRENGTHS OF THE 4:4:2 Defensively strong because eight players can get behind the ball Defensively very compact providing limited space for opponents Defensively easy to cover for other teammates In attack it allows wide midfielders to overlap and join the front line A quick transition can be made to attack by playing to the target man In helps to develop a counter attack because the two wide midfielders are in position to receive outlet pass Well balanced providing good angular passing options and support WEAKNESSES OF THE 4:4:2 Defensively wasteful if opponents only play with one or two forwards Forwards can become isolated and overloaded if unable to hold the ball up Can be a stalemate if opponents play the same formation and have a similar level of player quality in each position Can be overrun in midfield if opponents play with five midfielders. USE WHEN…. Suits qualities of players Need to be defensively strong Playing against a counter attacking team A lead has been developed Need to be defensively safe but still provide an attacking threat

24. STRENGTHS OF THE 3:5:2 Flexibility in attack, more options Dominant midfield, able to overload area and create safe passing options Width in attack, wing backs creating space Depth in attack, support from unmarked midfield runners A quick transition can be made to attack by playing to the target man Protection, 5 midfielders help to keep ball away from defence More attacking formation WEAKNESSES OF THE 3:5:2 Exploitable due to space at sides of defence Relies on specific qualities in players eg wing backs Limited support in defensive areas Open to counter attack especially if wing backs are attacking USE WHEN….. Team has specialist qualities in players Team needs to score Opposition have strong midfield Forwards need quicker support Team has more creative players

25. 4231 Benefits/Advantages (Strengths) Defensively strong because 9 players can get behind the ball Defensively very compact providing limited space for opponents Defensively easy to cover for other teammates Flexibility in attack, more options and mobility Dominant midfield, able to overload area and create safe passing options Depth in attack with support coming from attacking midfielders and FB’s Suits counter attack style due to quick transition from defence to attack through wide AM’s Two defensive midfielders provide cover and give freedom for others to attack Good for possession Limitations Only 1 forward – weak in attack – isolated – tires quickly Requires many special roles 2 DM’s in midfield can be wasteful against a defensive team Use when Specialist players in team Playing Counter attack strategy Want to be defensively strong but still threat in attack (link to counter) Want to control possession / tempo of game Opponents are strong in possession – hard to break down

26. Group task • 6 groups • One tactic • Talk for 1 minute about: • Benefits of that formation • OR • Limitations of that formation and WHEN you may use it • “This is group 1, describing the benefits of the 4231 formation….”

27. Individual task • Ask a question about the 1 minute audio clip to CHALLENGE the speaker/group • “Give an example of ….how one forward can be isolated in attack?” • “You said three in defence was strong – justify your statement?”

28. Higher 2011 Q8 • Select one of these structures, strategies or compositions. • (b) Explain the advantage(s) of using it in a performance situation. (4) • (c) Explain the advantage(s) of using the other structure, strategy or composition in a performance situation. (4) • (d) Discuss one limitation of each of these structures, strategies or compositions. (6)

29. Intermediate 2 – 2011 Q8 • (b) Describe the strengths of your chosen structure, strategy or composition. (4) • (c) Describe the weaknesses of your chosen structure, strategy or composition. (4)