What is a formation?
A formation in football describes how the players in a team are positioned on the pitch. Different formations can be used depending on whether a team wishes to play more attacking or defensive football.

Formations are described as the number of players in each area from the defensive line (not including the goalkeeper). For example, 4-4-2 describes the formation as having: 4 defenders, 4 midfielders and 2 forwards. Conventionally, the formation can be described with 3 numbers, although 4-numbered (e.g. 4-4-1-1) and 5 numbered formations (e.g. 4-1-2-1-2) can be used. The numbering system was not present until the 4-2-4 system was developed in the 1950s.

Formations can be altered during a game, but requires adaptations of the players to fit in to the new system. This can be due to a team wishing to defend or attack more, or even due to the loss of a player. Some formations also lend themselves to dynamically changing as players move up and down the field. In this way, formations can be deceptive in analysing a particular team's style of play, i.e. one team could play 4-4-2 and work defensively, looking to play high, long balls, whereas their opposition playing the same formation could play much more attractive, attacking football.

Formations are used in both professional and amateur football matches. However, in amateur matches, these tactics are sometimes adhered to less strictly such is the lesser severity of the occasion. Skill and discipline on the part of the players is also is also needed to effectively carry out a given formation. Formations need to be chosen with the players available in mind, and some of the formations below were created to address the deficits in different types of players.

Examples of teams and formations
The following formations are used in modern football. The formations are flexible allowing tailoring to the needs of a team, as well as to the players available. Variations of any formation include changes in positioning of players, as well as replacement of a traditional defender by a sweeper.

4-3-3
The 4-3-3 was a development of the 4-2-4, and was played globally by the Brazilian national team in the 1962 World Cup. The extra player in midfield allowed a stronger defence, and the midfield could be staggered for different effects. The three midfielders normally play closely together to protect the defence, and move laterally across the field as a coordinated unit. The three forwards split across the field to spread the attack, and are expected to 'tackle back'. When used from the start of a game, this formation is widely regarded as encouraging defensive play, and should not be confused with the practice of modifying a 4-4-2 by bringing on an extra forward to replace a midfield player when behind in the latter stages of a game.

4-4-2
This adaptable formation is the most common in football today, so well known that is has even inspired a magazine title, FourFourTwo. The midfielders are required to work hard to support both the defence and the attack: one of the central midfielders is expected to go upfield as often as possible to support the forward pair, while the other will play a 'holding role', shielding the defence; the two wide midfield players must move up the flanks to the goal line in attacks and yet also protect the fullback wide defenders.

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