How to Play a 3-2-3-2 Formation in Soccer

The 3-2-3-2 formation, which is a variation on the 3-5-2 formation in soccer, is a formation that is not usually seen these days. At its heart is an attempt to balance attack and defense in terms of player numbers, with the arrangement normally affording 5 players in defense and 5 players in attack at all times. This formation was sometimes used by the Argentina teams of the mid-1980's, as well as Liverpool of the 1990's. It is a formation that requires a lot of fitness on the wings as well as a good understanding of midfield play and an ability to possess the ball as a team.

Instructions

    • 1

      Build from the back. All good teams and formations need a strong goalkeeper. This is doubly true for teams that play with 3 central defenders. The keeper has to be an aggressive player in this formation, playing the role of sweeper when the central defenders push up towards the halfway line.

    • 2

      Have fast defenders. The key to playing 3 defenders in a formation is to make sure they are fast enough to be able to recover if they fail to win their 1-on-1 battles against the opposition attackers. Slow defenders will create gaps in the defense and allow the other team opportunities to initiate attacks.

    • 3

      Ensure that the two wing-backs on the outside are super-fit. There will probably not be any players on the field who will do more running than these two players. They must get forward with the attack and make crosses, and drop back with the defense and prevent crosses or protect the back post.

    • 4

      The attacking midfield player must be the most creative player on the team. The majority of attacks will filter through this player, therefore they should possess high levels of skill and vision. The two defensive midfielders must know how to stay back and hold the midfield space in front of the defense. Good ball skills and an ability to play accurate long passes are a bonus.

    • 5

      The two forwards must work in tandem with each other, making criss-cross runs, takeovers, knock-ons and other combination plays in order to further their chances of scoring.