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Lineup builder

8-a-side formation maker

Pick an 8-a-side formation, type your eight players' names and save the team as a picture for the group chat. Below: the 4 shapes most 8-a-side teams use, and what each is for.

TONIGHT'S TEAMGKSamDEFOllieDEFKofiDEFPriyaMIDDanMIDAishaMIDTomFWDLewis8-a-side · 3-3-1squadcard.app
How many a side?
Formation
Written from the back, without the keeper.
Shirt colour
Who's playing where?
  • GK
  • DEF
  • DEF
  • DEF
  • MID
  • MID
  • MID
  • FWD

The 8-a-side formations

  • 3-3-1

    Three defenders, three midfielders and a striker. The common 8-a-side shape: solid, with width from the outside midfielders.

  • 2-3-2

    Two at the back, three in midfield, two strikers. More attacking, and good on a narrow pitch where two up front can press the defenders.

  • 3-2-2

    Three at the back, two in midfield, two up front. Balanced between defence and attack, but the midfield two have a lot of ground to cover.

  • 2-4-1

    Two defenders, a midfield four and a lone striker. Controls the middle; the wide midfielders have to come back to make a back four.

How 8-a-side formations are written

From the back, without the keeper, so the numbers add up to 7. 3-3-1 is 3 at the back, 3 in midfield, 1 up front.

Whatever the shape, agree who stays back when you attack: in an 8-a-side game one goal usually comes from everybody going forward at once.

Choosing one for your team

Start with 3-3-1 unless you have a reason not to: it's the shape most 8-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 8-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.

Start a squad

Questions

What is the best 8-a-side formation?

3-3-1 is the most common and the best place to start. Three defenders, three midfielders and a striker. The common 8-a-side shape: solid, with width from the outside midfielders.

How many players are in an 8-a-side team?

8: a goalkeeper and 7 outfield players. Rolling subs are usual, so bring one or two more.

What's the most defensive 8-a-side formation?

3-3-1, with 3 at the back. Three defenders, three midfielders and a striker. The common 8-a-side shape: solid, with width from the outside midfielders.

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.