11v11 Soccer Formations Explained

From Origins to Modern Tactics for the Complete Coach: Masterclass in 11v11 Soccer Formations, History, Case Studies & Tactics for Soccer Coaches

De: Rhodes V. Trenholm

Narrado por: Virtual Voice

This book is a complete tactical masterclass in 11v11 soccer formations, designed for coaches who want to understand not only the numbers on the board but the logic and history behind them. Tracing the evolution of the game from the 2-3-5 Pyramid to the fluid pressing systems of today, it explores why formations emerged, how they worked in practice, and how they were exploited or replaced over time.

Every major system is covered in depth: WM, 4-2-4, 4-3-3, 4-4-2, 3-5-2, 5-3-2, 4-2-3-1, and more. Each chapter combines tactical breakdowns with real-world case studies, including Sacchi’s Milan, France 1998, Mourinho’s Inter 2010, Spain 2008–2012, Klopp’s Liverpool, and Tuchel’s Chelsea. Beyond the historical perspective, the book offers modern coaching insights: how to instill formational discipline in training, adapt systems for youth development, evaluate formations with data, and avoid common mistakes.

Designed as both a historical guide and a practical resource, this book emphasizes clarity, tactical depth, and coaching application. Whether you’re preparing youth players to understand compactness and spacing or fine-tuning pressing triggers at a competitive level, the material connects theory to training ground execution.

This book provides the tools to:

• Understand why formations succeed or fail

• Recognize the player profiles suited to each system

• Apply lessons from great tactical eras to modern coaching

• Use data and analysis to refine formation choice

• Anticipate the future evolution of 11v11 systems

Soccer is a constant tactical arms race, and formations are its frontline. This book gives coaches the framework to not only keep up but stay ahead.