Formations & Positions
Below are two recommended formations for 4v4 games (1st/2nd Grade). Players should not be rigidly restricted to these positions — the goal is to start learning the difference between offensive and defensive roles.
Formation 1: Diamond (1-2-1)
Goal
D
WW
O
Goal
- D — Defensive player (near your own goal)
- W — Wing/midfielder (covers both sides of the field)
- O — Offensive player (near the opposing goal)
Best for: Teams that have one strong defender and one strong attacker, with two players who like to run.
Formation 2: Box (2-2)
Goal
DD
OO
Goal
- D — Defensive players (stay closer to your own goal)
- O — Offensive players (push toward the opposing goal)
Best for: Balanced teams where players pair up naturally. Simpler for younger players to understand.
Position Key
| Position | Role | Responsibility |
|---|---|---|
| D (Defense) | Protect your goal | Stay between the ball and your goal |
| W (Wing) | Cover the sides | Help on both offense and defense |
| O (Offense) | Score goals | Stay near the opposing goal |
Tips for Coaches
- Rotate positions — every player should try different roles
- Don’t over-coach positioning — at this age, chasing the ball in a swarm is normal and expected
- Praise effort over results — “great job getting back on defense!” matters more than the score