Live The Pitch

When playing a flat-back four it is vital that your team understands the transitioning part of the formation.  When going forward this is the best formation you can play.  If the flat-back four is played right there will be options all around the field.  In my opinion the key players transitioning to offense in this system are the outside-backs.

The outside-backs have to be good technically, and patient with the ball at their feet.  In this formation the four backs have full range of going forward while in possession of the ball.  When the backs move forward there has to be communication with the other players.   If a center-back moves forward, then a center-mid or outside-mid would drop into the space they were covering.  There has to be constant communication while playing a flat-back four.

When moving the ball out of the defensive zone, the defenders must transition forward quickly to avoid leaving space for the opposing team. The goalkeeper and center-backs should act as leaders on the pitch and take charge of the other players on the field to get them forward quickly. If the transition is slow the opposing team will have space to attack the four players in the back.  Every player needs to be on the same page in this formation.  If one player is slow transitioning forward this leaves the entire team vulnerable to a counter-attack.

When in possession of the ball  all players have the ability to get involved in the attack.  This is why a sweeper, man marking formation is not good in my opinion.  In a sweeper formation the backs have man marking responsibilities, which hinders the players from getting involved on offense. Throughout my years of coaching I have had players beg me to play outside-back in our flat-back four.

If played right the flat back will open up the field giving you great chances at the opposing teams goal.  The outside backs should be serving balls in, the center backs should be moving up into the midfield, and most importantly there has to be COMMUNICATION!