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Lineup builder

11-a-side formation maker

Pick an 11-a-side formation, type your eleven players' names and save the team as a picture for the group chat. Below: the 5 shapes most 11-a-side teams use, and what each is for.

TONIGHT'S TEAMGKSamDEFOllieDEFKofiDEFPriyaDEFDanMIDAishaMIDTomMIDLewisMIDMarekFWDJayFWDFemi11-a-side · 4-4-2squadcard.app
How many a side?
Formation
Written from the back, without the keeper.
Shirt colour
Who's playing where?
  • GK
  • DEF
  • DEF
  • DEF
  • DEF
  • MID
  • MID
  • MID
  • MID
  • FWD
  • FWD

The 11-a-side formations

  • 4-4-2

    Four defenders, four midfielders and two strikers. The classic: two banks of four that are easy to organise, and the best starting point for a Sunday league side.

  • 4-3-3

    A back four, a midfield three and three forwards. Width from the wingers and plenty of pressure high up the pitch; the wingers have to track back.

  • 4-2-3-1

    A back four, two holding midfielders, three attacking midfielders and a striker. Solid in front of the defence, with a number 10 behind the striker.

  • 3-5-2

    Three centre-backs, five in midfield with wing-backs, and two strikers. Strong in the middle; the wing-backs cover the whole flank.

  • 5-3-2

    Five at the back, three in midfield and two up front. The defensive version of 3-5-2, for holding a lead or a stronger opponent.

How 11-a-side formations are written

From the back, without the keeper, so the numbers add up to 10. 4-4-2 is 4 at the back, 4 in midfield, 2 up front.

Whatever the shape, agree who stays back when you attack: in an 11-a-side game one goal usually comes from everybody going forward at once.

Choosing one for your team

Start with 4-4-2 unless you have a reason not to: it's the shape most 11-a-side teams use. Then change it for the players you have: more at the back if you're conceding, more up front if you have two who score.

Changing shape at half-time is easier than it sounds when everyone can see it. Make both versions here and post them in the group chat before the game.

Picking the two teams, too

Playing 11-a-side among friends, with two sides from whoever turns up? The team generator splits the names into two fair teams. And if it's the same group every week, Squadcard picks fair teams from the ratings the players give each other.

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Questions

What is the best 11-a-side formation?

4-4-2 is the most common and the best place to start. Four defenders, four midfielders and two strikers. The classic: two banks of four that are easy to organise, and the best starting point for a Sunday league side.

How many players are in an 11-a-side team?

11: a goalkeeper and 10 outfield players. Rolling subs are usual, so bring one or two more.

What's the most defensive 11-a-side formation?

5-3-2, with 5 at the back. Five at the back, three in midfield and two up front. The defensive version of 3-5-2, for holding a lead or a stronger opponent.

Can I save the formation as a picture?

Yes. Type the names, then save it as a picture or share it straight to the group chat. Nothing is uploaded.