The best 8v8 soccer formations, youth positions, strategies and tactics with diagrams

Learn Best 8v8 Soccer Formations, positions, strategies, tactics and line ups with the diagrams as youth players for your football drills.

Increase your goals by 75% by keeping soccer ball to your side by following these best 8v8 soccer formations.

We will give you the ultimate Wizardry to become the best player out there.

Today we will highlight the ultimate best 8v8 soccer formations as previously we have learned about 7v7 soccer formation. Which will help you to become the best and the most reputed player.

This will take your improve your soccer skill to the next level. You will be playing tactically and would be tested to put forth your everything.

Before the USSF started to have 9 a side both for the U-12 as well as U-11, having 7 to 8 players was believed to be a very common standard. It involved having less players on both sides so that fields won’t get crowdy.

But with time everything changed. 8v8 is not a very common formation to follow. But it is still short that of the 9v9. These soccer formations 8v8 are used if there is a clear shortage of players on one side and the show must carry on.

For young players this format is heavily followed throughout the USA.

 The 5 Best 8v8 Soccer Formations

3-2-2: This 8 V 8 Soccer Strategies Is One the Most Played

It is one of the most and commonly used 8 v 8 soccer strategy out there because it involves around 8v8 players on both sides. It’s been one of the oldest youth soccer 8 v 8 formations that is being followed by the US. It usually provides the team with the necessary strikers that they need. There are two midfielders who has all the responsibility and they usually take care of all the happenings all around.

It’s a very popular choice for all the people. It includes 4-4-2 where strikers support each other and they also have central midfielders who provide balance to the team as well as the defenders who are basically responsible for cleaning up any mess that happen all around in the wide and the central area.

There could be possible gap between the wide areas. Central midfielders are required to all the running and the shifting. They can get caught easily and the defenders have to take over.

Adaptable Formation for 9v9:

There are total of three formations that can be followed:

  • 3-4-1
  • 3-3-2
  • 3-2-3

Players and Skills:

  • There should be hard working central midfielders who can get up and move down to the field. They will be responsible for what happens in the wide areas.
  • Striker can also go to the defenders as well.
  • Defenders can also go and move up with the play and close the gaps that are left by the central midfielders.

PROS

  • Partnership can be taught to the players by using such a model
  • Defensive areas are covered and there are no wide areas left,
  • Every player has a defined area and role.
  • Any player can take the possession depending on the striker as well as central midfielders.

Cons

  • Wingers are not left, there are no gaps left in the wide areas.
  • One striker is required to take the leap but team can get out of defense because of wider gaps.
  • There can be a lot of room
  • Central midfielders have the most responsibility.

2-3-2 Soccer 8v8 Positions

A 2-3-2 usually takes 8v8 soccer positions whenever necessary and there is a tactical decision that is made by the team. This creates fruitful opportunities for everyone who wants to proceed further.

As 3-2-2 the position is 2 3 2 soccer formation is more reliant towards having players that are wide enough. During this 8v8 soccer positions the midfielder and the two strikers usually stays in the middle. This kind of formation has more balance than that of the 3-2-2. But it becomes very difficult to play when the midfielders get sides.

Wide players often need to be most dynamic. They will create the most chances in the game. They will be responsible for creating both the defensive as well as the attacking opportunities. The Defenders usually have good opportunity to play behind as they will have good possession all the time.

Two strikers usually provide with good attack options wherever necessary. The center midfielder usually creates the point of attack. As Same as the 3-2-2 they remain in central to make the necessary work all the time.

Formations that can be adopted:

  • 3-3-2
  • 2-4-2
  • 2-3-2-1

Skills that are required:

  • Midfielders can fill the position that can stay vacant. They can fulfill the responsibilities whenever they are asked to fill them. They can also fill the defensive position.
  • A central midfielder can also change the tempo of the game and their point of attack.
  • Strikers can help each other in defense. They can easily drop each other.

Pros

  • They are attack minded and possession minded.
  • They have both the defensive as well as the attacking capabilities. They are very fantastic in everything they do.
  • Every player has a very clearly defined role.
  • They usually play wide and they easily choose to be direct in the game channels.

Cons

  • Wide players have the most responsibility. They are often required to move back and forward. They can run in cross and can also come in defend.
  • Wide players can get too high. A gap can be created unnecessarily.
  • Two strikers can become unnecessary.

3-3-1 8 On 8 Soccer Formations

A 3 3 1 soccer is one of another 8v8 formations that can be implemented. It appears very strategic on the paper. It provides the team with the possible combination that can provide them with the maximum cover. It gives them with the best balance that can be made within the field.

The midfielders that are in the middle are most crucial who are playing in this game. This soccer formation 8v8 does not allow maximum players in the central position like in the other position there are 5 central players while in the 3-3-1 there are imbalance of players.

Getting the maximum players and then exploiting the wide areas is the best option here.

The maximum defensive responsibility is put upon the midfielders. The striker never has to become isolated. there will be a lot of isolation that would be done by the other players but it has to be made sure that these gaps are filled and formation may flourish.

Adaptable formation for 9v9:

These are the adaptable formations for the 9v9:

  • 3-3-2
  • 3-3-1-1
  • 3-4-1

Skills and players that are required:

  • A striker can hold his position.
  • Defenders should take up the gaps that are left by the wide midfielders.
  • They also need to support the striker but not the crowd of the defenders.

Pros

  • Players should play side.
  • There should be good cover in the defensive areas and there would be fullbacks that will join the attack.
  • Ball possession or the long balls depends on the position or the movement of the striker as well as the mid fielders.

Cons

  • There should be less area in the center.
  • This placement can become extra defensive or the attacking midfielders don’t higher up.
  • Striker are less in number.
  • Team is forces to play centrally

2-4-1 8v8 Soccer Tactics

This 8 vs 8 soccer formations are also called as the diamond and this is where the central position can be also called as the midfield diamond.

This type of 8 man soccer formations is best 8v8 soccer formations for such teams where the ball has to be kept in center to keep the maximum control. This type of game play is not suited for any team who like to play wise.

During this type of 8 player soccer formations there are clearly defined roles for every player so that there could be a central attack that can happen from each player and the ball can be avoided to spread further more.

Balance can be achieved further by changing the settings but it is not advised.

Adaptable formation for 9v9:

  • 2-4-2 (Diamond Soccer Line Ups)
  • 3-1-3-1
  • 2-1-4-1
  • 3-3-1-1

Players as well as skills that are required:

  • Those mid fielders who are very hardworking and that can operate both in the central as well as the wide areas.
  • Good passers that can do the work or they can keep the possession of the ball.
  • Intelligence as well as the tactical awareness of the players which is required at the age.
  • Players who are fast runners and knows how to defend.

Pros

  • Ball is possessed most of the time.
  • Pressure can be exerted due to the diamond formation of the play.
  • It is very flexible as well as interchangeable because of the situation.
  • It allows for the number 6, number 10 and number 9.

Cons

  • Wide area may be exempted if the midfielders are not playing up to their mark.
  • Two midfielders and the central ones don’t have less defined roles.
  • Midfielders who are defensive are required to fill the gaps. There maybe be a gap left in the center.
  • Above intelligence may be required.

Conclusion:

These are one of the most favorable and best 8v8 soccer formations that can be opted in the given circumstances. This includes making the right and necessary choice where ever necessary. 8v8 can be opted and this position can help you to get most out of a situation if you are playing for the first time.

Out of all these 8 v 8 soccer strategies the 3-3-1 is the best 8v8 soccer formations as a defensive point of view. Maybe you differ from my opinion.

WHAT WE HAVE LEARNED

We have Learned about the best 8v8 soccer formations, positions, strategies, tactics and line ups with the help of diagrams as youth players for ours football drills.

William Logan

Hi I am William Logan. I am 50 Year old former Soccer coach at FC Barcelona High Performance Academy in Chicago. I am the owner of the Best Soccer Gear Info.

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