Football Formations Guide
Explore different tactical formations and understand their strengths and weaknesses.
A football formation describes how a team lines up on the pitch, usually written as defenders-midfielders-forwards (for example, 4-3-3 means four defenders, three midfielders and three forwards). The right formation depends on your squad size, your players' strengths and the way you want to play. Below you can filter formations by player count — 5, 7, 9 or 11-a-side — and see each one's balance of defence, midfield and attack. For a deeper breakdown of individual systems, read our guides to 4-3-3, 4-4-2, 4-2-3-1 and how to choose the best formation for your team, then build your lineup in the formation builder.
Browse Football Formations
4-3-3
11 PlayersA balanced formation with four defenders, three midfielders, and three forwards. Provides good attacking width and defensive stability.
4-4-2
11 PlayersA classic formation with four defenders, four midfielders, and two forwards. Offers great balance between attack and defense.
3-3-2
9 PlayersA formation for 9-a-side games with three defenders, three midfielders, and two forwards.
3-2-3
9 PlayersAn attacking formation for 9-a-side games with three defenders, two midfielders, and three forwards.
2-3-1
7 PlayersA balanced formation for 7-a-side games with two defenders, three midfielders, and one forward.
2-2-2
7 PlayersA balanced formation for 7-a-side games with equal numbers in defense, midfield, and attack.
2-1-1
5 PlayersA defensive formation for 5-a-side games with two defenders, one midfielder, and one forward.
1-2-1
5 PlayersA midfield-heavy formation for 5-a-side games with one defender, two midfielders, and one forward.