Player Roles & Responsibilities in a 1-4-2-3-1

Category: Tactical: Position specific Pro-Club: Doncaster Rovers FC

Skill: Mixed age Tony Mee, Doncaster, United Kingdom

Description
Player Roles & Responsibilities as well as some general points for the team.
The 1-4-2-3-1 formation offers additional protection to the Back 4 by deploying 2 "holding" Midfield Players. The theory being, it
should be harder to break your team down.
In Possession -
Centre Backs (5 & 6) offer depth to help retain the ball, whilst the Full Backs (2 & 3) offer extra width in attack when the ball is on
their side of the pitch. The Holding Midfield players (4 & 8) also offer depth to the attack as the ball advances up the pitch. The
Attacking Midfield player (10) supports the Striker (9) with the Wide Midfield players (7 & 11) provide attacking width.
Out of Possession -
In general, the aim is to make the pitch as compact as possible with 7 & 11 dropping outside 4 & 8 to make a defensive line of 4,
with the 10 just in front and the 9 more advanced.

Goalkeeper

Goalkeeper
In Possession
Distribute effectively with accurate kicks, throws and rolls.
Support defenders when they have the balll and be prepared to
receive on either foot.
Communicate effectively with outfield players. Early decisions and
clear, purposeful instructions.
Out of Possession
Starting position relative to the position of, and in line with, the ball.
Sweeper/keeper when the team pushes up the pitch.
Shot stopping - ready position, decision whether to catch, punch or
parry.
React to 2nd chances.

Full Backs
Full Backs
In Possession
Move high and wide to receive the ball from the GK when playing
out from the back.
Range of passes to help retain possession (into MF or Forwards
or switch play via Defenders).
Recognise opportunities to get forward as the ball travel towards
your side of the pitch.
Provide crosses to the forwards from advanced positions.
Out of Possession
Be close enough to the opposition wide player to pressure his first
touch.
Recognise where to show your opponent (inside/outside) in
relation to your cover.
Try to seize the initiative in 1v1 duels.
Centre Backs
Centre Backs
In Possession
Split wide and be prepared to receive the ball from the GK.
Try to play angled passes behind the opposition to FB and MF but
recognise the need to play longer at times.
Attack aerial balls with power, purpose and timing.
Out of Possession
Recognise when to follow opponents short and when to pass
them on.
Be comfortable defending 1v1 and 2v2 situations, try to seize the
initiative.
Mark ball side and goal side.
Recognise when to move deep and centrally in order to defend
crosses.

Holding M F
Holding Midfield
In Possession
Drop into the space created by CB splitting to give GK options to
play out from the back.
Try to receive the ball sideways on to play forward passes which
break lines.
Display a good range of passing, be prepared to initiate switches
of play to exploit space in wide areas.
Out of Possession
Be prepared to give cover to the FB on your side of the pitch when
he joins in the attack.
Provide an additional defensive line and screen passes into the
opposition forwards.
Block shots, tackle and spoil the opposition's game in midfield
areas & particularly at the top of the box.

Wide M F

Wide Midfield
In Possession
Try to be positive in 1v1 situations, particularly in the attacking third.
Be prepared to support 9 & 10 in the channels (shaded), giving
space to the full back on the outside.
Make penetrating passes into the forwards or overlapping full
backs and crosses from wide areas.
Out of Possession
Press or provide cover for the press high up the pitch. Win the ball
back if you can (tackle or intercept).
Provide defensive cover in wide areas, get on the outside of the
Holding MF players. (double up with the FB).
Track runners from deep or on switches of play.
Attacking M F

Attacking MF
In Possession
Try to play in between the opposition's lines of defence
(horizontally and vertically).
Retain the ball and make positive runs and passes around and in
between the opposition defence.
Be prepared to shoot from distance and support the 9 at all times.
Out of Possession
Be prepared to press or support the press, make play predictable.
If the opposition play with a playmaker, engage him high up the
pitch to force longer clearances.
Try to intercept or tackle in the midfield area to regain possession
or make the opposition play backwards.

Forward

Forward
In Possession
Recognise and take opportunities to shoot with power and
precision.
Be available to receive the ball into feet or space and on the half
turn if possible.
Recognise when play is developing in wide areas and take up
positions to attack crosses.
Out of Possession
Initiate the team's press when appropriate.
Try to force the CB to make risky passes.
Try to prevent easy passes into midfield and win the ball from the
wrong side if MF are holding play up.