Soccer formations / football formations and tactics: 5-3-2 defending 3-5-2 attacking

This soccer formation / football formation has 3 central defenders (one acting as a sweeper), 2 full-backs, 3 midfielders and two strikers. With five defenders and 3 supporting midfielders, this is a very defensive soccer formation / football formation based on man-marking the opposing attackers and using the sweeper to pick-up any lose players. However, with fast and creative full-backs, teams using this soccer formation / football formation and tactics can counter attack by transitioning in to a 3-5-2 soccer formation / football formation.

Defenders: The three central defenders need to be good in the air, strong in the tackle and good passers of the ball. The two wide defenders (full-backs) should be lightening quick to capitalise on counter-attacking opportunities, be good crossers of the ball and solid tacklers.

Midfield: Central midfielder – target player who can control and hold ball the ball very well and provide good passing distribution going forward. When defending, this player should play in front of defence, giving support. Two attack minded central midfielders that link up well with attackers and provide angle of support to attacking full backs.

Attackers: Two attackers either playing alongside each other or one more creative attacker playing behind the centre forward. Attackers should look to link up with midfield and look to get on the end of crosses served in by the full-backs.