Setting up for matchday
Make it age appropriate
Firstly, consider the age groups in grassroots youth soccer.
Whatever formation you decide, there is no wrong way, just depends on the players you have in your team and their ability/skills to play in the system. The System depends on the players and not the other way round, as some coaches think.
Play 3 v 3
No Formation, the only “tactical tip” for players is, when your team has the ball, players without ball find space, when the team loses the ball, players without the ball close space.
Play 4 v 4
Same as Under Fives.
Play 7 v 7
Same concept as early ages, but now you have designated positional roles: I like:
1 (GK)
3 (Defenders)
2 (Midfielders)
1 (Striker)
Play 9 v 9
I like:
1 (GK)
3 (Defenders)
3 (Midfielders)
2 (Strikers)
Play 11 v 11
For beginner players especially, I like:
1 (GK)
4 (Defenders)
3 (Midfielders)
3 (Strikers).
It’s an easy formation to understand, and it is an attacking style of playing, as you have 3 Strikers.
You Decide
Whatever formation you decide, there is no wrong way, just depends on the players you have in your team and their ability/skills to play in the system. The System depends on the players and not the other way round, as some coaches think.