I'm curious as to others thoughts on optimum 6-a-side formations, and for that of 5-a-side Futsal.

I manage a 6-a-side mens AA team and typcially we form up;

------GK------
----Sweeper----
--MF-------MF--
-----AM--------
--------ST-----

Of course this relies heavily on overlaps of the MF role on one side, with the other prepared to drop quickly snuffing out attack. Often when we are up 2 goals, we flood the AM area with basically one at the back, and we have been recently racking up cricket scores. We have a +14 GD and none against, very similar to last season where we were a division down.

In our work comp, we play mixed - ie. With ladies in the team - at least 2 of 6 playing must be female. And if a lady scores then their goal is worth two. So we typically form up;

------GK------
----DF--DF(F)--
-----CM--------
---MF(F)-------
--------ST-----

This formation is far less succesful in my opinion, but the random element of lady players - who can be quickly pushed off the ball in one-on-ones or marked out of the match means that you often have to change structure quickly.

I'm interested to hear of the formation you usually put out when you play. What works and what doesn't when playing in AA comps?

The 5v5 futsal usually manifests as a diamond.



.......................... X (Keeper)


..............................X


.....X ........................................... ... ....X



............................X



i haven't paid much attention to 6v6 as it doesn't work in with the sequential KNVB framework.

I haven't really investigated it though.


Edited by Decentric: 30/11/2011 12:44:55 PM

totally agree 6v6 does not work for me.
5v5, 7v7, 9v9 & 11v11 but 6v6 no way.

1-2-1 for young players, 2-2 is popular with teens and adults relates to a box midfield apparantly.
2-1-2 for 6 aside

There would be a couple of nice triangles in a 2-1-2.

If I'm landed with 12 players, I might try it.:)

5 a side professional futsal teams in Europe use a diamond formation when they have the ball. The players constantly rotate through the 4 outfield positions always maintaining the diamond. Eg If the sweeper dribbles out to the right wing, one possibility is the right winger might drop into the vacant sweeper role.  Or with the sweeper taking his space, the original right winger might move to striker, the left winger drop into the vacant sweeper role and the striker take the left wing.  

this constant awareness of your teammates coverage of the diamond and moving to fill the gaps requires huge concentration and fitness. 

Amateur 6a side futsal teams could also play a 4 man diamond with the spare 5th man moving into vacant positions in the diamond. As soon as the the 4 positions are covered the 5th player should look to see what position needs to be filled next.

The additional 5th outfielder means it's possible for us amateurs to maintain the diamond (the optimal shape for width and depth) even though we are less fit and have poorer concentration than our professional counterparts.