9v9 soccer formations

9v9 formations compared

U.S. Soccer writes youth formations with the goalkeeper first, so a 3-2-3 in 9v9 is also written 1-3-2-3.

Which 9v9 formation should my team use?

• Start with the 3-2-3 if you are not sure. It has three clear units, wide forwards and a back three, and it grows into the 4-3-3 at 11v11.
• Choose the 3-3-2 if you have two strikers who play well as a pair and wide midfielders who can run.
• Choose the 3-1-3-1 if you have one calm player to hold the middle and you want four attackers ahead.
• Choose the 4-3-1 in the last season before 11v11, to learn the back four, or against a much stronger opponent.
• Keep the 2-3-2-1 for teams that already pass well. It has more lines to remember and only two defenders.

Diagrams of each 9v9 formation

9v9 soccer in short

• Nine players: one goalkeeper and eight outfield players.
• In the United States, 9v9 is the game for players under 11 and under 12 (U11 and U12) in the U.S. Soccer standards.
• The field is bigger than a 7v7 field and smaller than a full-size one, so there is more running and more passing.
• Offside counts in the other team’s half, as in the full game.
• Throw-ins are taken with both hands, from behind and over the head, with both feet on the ground.
• Leagues can set their own details, so check your league’s rules.

Questions about 9v9 formations

• What is the best formation for 9v9 soccer?

  The 3-2-3 is the most common starting point, because it is balanced and prepares players for the 4-3-3. But the best shape is the one that fits your players and that they understand.

• What does 1-3-2-3 mean?

  It is the 3-2-3 with the goalkeeper counted first: one keeper, three defenders, two midfielders and three forwards.

• How do 7v7 formations turn into 9v9 formations?

  Add one defender and one forward. The 7v7 2-3-1 becomes a 3-2-3 when a center back joins the two defenders and the wide midfielders move up to play as wide forwards beside the striker.

• Should a 9v9 team play with two or three defenders?

  Three is simpler: one can go to the ball and two still cover. Two defenders work only if a midfielder drops in as the third protector when the other team attacks.

9v9 lessons to start with

• 3-2-3: Know Your Unit (9v9 lesson)Understand nine players, three outfield units, and cover behind an advancing defender.
• 3-2-3: Connect the Two Blocks (9v9 lesson)Two midfielders share the links between a back-three block and a front-three block.
• 3-3-2: Split the Two Striker Jobs (9v9 lesson)Two strikers share showing and depth against three defenders, while wide midfielders supply the missing front-line width.
• 3-1-3-1: Help the Single Holder (9v9 lesson)Three-one-three-one has one holder behind three attacking midfielders and a striker. When the ball is lost, the central attacking midfielder can help that single holder.
• 2-3-3: Who Becomes the Third Protector? (9v9 lesson)With only two defenders, the central midfielder supplies the missing central protector against three high forwards.
• Build With the Goalkeeper (9v9 lesson)Use the goalkeeper to connect around pressure, then change the plan if that lane closes.

Keep reading

• 7v7 soccer formations2-3-1, 3-2-1, 2-2-2 and 3-1-2 compared, with diagrams
• 11v11 soccer formations4-3-3, 4-4-2, 4-2-3-1 and 3-5-2 compared, with diagrams
• All soccer formations16 formations for 7v7, 9v9, 11v11 and futsal, each with a diagram
• Soccer positions explained for kids9 positions and the numbers 1 to 11 explained, each with a diagram
• 7v7, 9v9 and 11v11 lessonsEvery lesson by team size