Once players grasp the importance of their basic tasks a team shape will emerge. Shape is not a rigid geographic relationship. Nor is it just an arbitrary location for every player. It offers the best opportunity for a team to display its strengths while hiding its weakness. It is dependent upon the understanding and communication within the team and the distribution of tasks.

Shape invariably comes down to distances and angles. The correct distance and angle will be determined by a variety of factors including ball possession, area of the field, position of teammates, opponents and so on. Team shape will be made up of smaller interconnecting shapes notably triangles, diamonds, squares and lines. It is the size of these smaller shapes that often concern the coach. It's in these spaces that most of the smaller victories take place which lead to success or defeat.

Distance and angles have a direct relationship on the size of the shape and its effectiveness. Three players can form a triangle but be too close to each other. The distance is incorrect. Likewise, a player might take up a position where he cannot receive the ball. The angle is incorrect.

Timing also plays a role. Players can be too early or too late in arriving at their position. This results in a team killing space it's trying to use or being to late in denying the space to the opponents. They must be at the right place at the correct moment.

The correct distance and angle is determined by the task and the task is determined by the moment. If the player doesn't understand his function there is little chance that he will be in the correct position. Conversely, if he's not in the correct position he will not be able to perform his task. In the following examples the relationship of tactics to TIC is shown. Tactics are essentially about position. This comes down to the player's insight into the game and their ability to work together, (why am I here, what contribution to the team does this position make?). When they read the same situation and work together the technical and tactical questions are simplified. This is a team concept. One player in the wrong place can make life much harder for the entire team.

Click here for the Burke Athletic Clubs- Tactics, the basics of positional play page.

The basic shape in 4v4 is a diamond made up of a sweeper, two midfielders and a top player.

Some examples of poor positioning.

Midfielder is too far forward.

Striker is too far back.

Sweeper is too far back.

Midfielder is too close and at a poor angle.

3v3 Bad shape

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