You’re just getting into semantics to try and sound smart. Formations are just numbers on a page. 4-2-3-1 is often no different than 4-5-1 or 4-2-4 depending on how someone looks at it. It’s subjective. The most important concepts of soccer and how to play the game can still be derived from a single system that is deployed from 7v7 thru to 11v11 or even just from U13 and on.

But by saying to teach the main 11v11 formations you are denigrating the “systems” being deployed at U12 and below.

Anonymous wrote: Both sets of posters have a point. Teach soccer regardless of the formation. However teach the three main formations too.
4-4-2;
4-3-3;
4-2-3-1

Don’t just use one formation all the time.

Yeah - I've found that a kid who can play in two or three formations at the same time learns more about the game.

Both sets of posters have a point. Teach soccer regardless of the formation. However teach the three main formations too.
4-4-2;
4-3-3;
4-2-3-1

Don’t just use one formation all the time.

Who pays attention to that? Go enjoy watching your kid play. Next thing you eill argue about is orangeslices or grapes for snack

Anonymous wrote:Systems can teach the game—like how to move without the ball etc.

Yes they can, but they focus is the system.

Systems can teach the game—like how to move without the ball etc.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:If your child's coach only coaches one way to play and one formation, they're not teaching the game.

Not if its a club wide system teaching approach .

Your club isn't teaching the game, they're teaching a system.

Anonymous wrote:What do you play?

We play a 4-3-3 normally, but will play a 3-4-3 in some instances. 3 in the back is tough for kids that haven't played it before.

We play 4-4-2 (double diamonds).

Anonymous wrote:If your child's coach only coaches one way to play and one formation, they're not teaching the game.

Not if its a club wide system teaching approach .

Flying V

If your child's coach only coaches one way to play and one formation, they're not teaching the game.

bumble bee swarm formation

What do you play?

We play a 4-3-3 normally, but will play a 3-4-3 in some instances. 3 in the back is tough for kids that haven't played it before.