Here, we have one of the starting formations in Rematch 5v5 with white and black representing OFF, and DEF respectively. We will go into a basic description for each role, how they utilize their positioning, and how to be most effective within it.
MID (Midfielder): This role is for paramount for ball control, moving downfield, and creating plays for the wings. They need fast breakaway movement, and a sense of where players are on the field. They typically end up in the box within the shell of the defense, and can create scoring opportunities in contested matchups.
CB (Center-back): A goalkeepers best friend, the CB’s greatest strength is positioning, play recognition, and overall defensive skill. They control the back field, and can match up players driving down the field, or cover well enough to intercept the ball. A great CB utilizes the GK by giving them easy passes to clear the ball.
FB (Fullback): The fullbacks are responsible for ‘manning up’ the wings, and contribute to the shell of the defense. These players must often switch from defense to offense, typically rotating into other roles throughout the match.
W (Left/Right Wing): The wings are the speed, and ball handling tacticians of the team. They are key for the MID to find passes, assists, and thrive in one-on-one situations. When not ball handling, they rotate typically into FBs.
GK (Goalkeeper): The most important piece of the defense, these players read shots/plays, and stop scoring opportunities. A great goalkeeper can clear accurately, and steal balls within the box with accuracy. Advanced GKs utilize the ‘sweeper’ role, and create better formations for their team.
Starting Formations
Now we can breakdown various areas of the field:
Zones: In the colored, vertical areas we have four different zones, the channel zone, the deep channel, the half zone, and the center zone.
Channel Zone: Long, open field used for making runs, receiving clears, and contesting balls on- on-one. A crucial zone for attacking any defense.
Deep Channel: A dangerous, difficult area to cover, or attack. But winning in this zone can throw attackers out of position, and open up scoring opportunities. Getting the ball out of this corner is paramount.
Half Zone: The inner areas where the ball will be passed through frequently, allowing those in strong coverage to intercept, and steal balls.
Center Zone: The most busy area of the field in Rematch, especially in the attacking, or defensive third. Passing aerially through this region, or passing out of it into other zones can create opportunities.
Visualizing The Field
CHANNEL ZONE
CHANNEL ZONE
HALF ZONE
CENTER ZONE
Middle Third
Defensive Third
Attacking Third
DEEP CHANNEL
Box
In this visual, we have the most basic, and probably most common play ran in Rematch, we’ll call it 3 RUN UP.
Typically, when the match starts in this formation, both our LW and RW climb up field on the outside of the MID, who easily gets near the box.
Our CB, as the initial ball handler needs to determine right away who is trying to man them up. If one of the FBs crash down, our CB will have a free pass.
The aggressive move is to pass up to the MID, who will be looking to score, but will be severely covered by at least two players.
A good FB can pressure our CB if they don’t have an open man, getting an easy steal, with only the GK to beat.
PROS: Requires very little communication, and relies on the defense to be sleeping. If the box is stacked by their DEF CBs and our Ws are covered, we can gain great field advantage if efficient.
CONS: Relies on our CB to take what’s given. If they try to bite off more, or hesitate, they will easily turn the ball over, or allow a tackle.
Offense: 3 RUN UP (SIMPLE)
1
2
1
2
In this example, we can see our four players attacking, and the defense moving into position. The LW gets open when the FB presses the CB, who is the current ball carrier.
The first step is to pass to the open LW in the left channel, who has open field in the center zone, visualized by the purple bubble we’ll call ‘the void’. The MID and RW should be positioning themselves upfield in the attacking third, the MID in the center, and the RW near the half zone.
Signifies previous or current team motion.
Signifies current ball movement.
Signifies press coverage.
Signifies opponent movement.
Signifies a opponent’s/team’s previous position.
Signifies option.
Reading The Play
‘THE VOID’
Here, we’ll pretend the CB and FB fully commit to the tackle or interception, but our LW is ready for it.
They’ll plass to the RW who is breaking away from their defender, and is in open space.
The OFF CB now should move towards the channel represented in blue (1), and prepare themselves in case the LW does in fact lose. If the LW gets the pass off, they should rotate back to the center, or right channel (2), to support the RW.
Reading The Play
1
2
Now, it’s up to the RW and MID to complete the play, as they both have their man beat in this example. The quicker the RW can complete the pass to the MID will allow them more time to beat the GK however they see fit.
At the defensive third, the opponent CB and FB will be looking to drive down field, but are now covered well by the LW and CB.
If the MID loses the ball at this moment, it’ll be difficult to cover the open FB near the right channel.
Reading The Play
Finally, the MID can take a shot, hopefully ending in a score. Of course, there are many more options when playmaking in-game, and we’ll go over variations of plays, and other starting formations in the future.
Finishing The Play
Let’s fix up the defense from that previous play, and keep our CB and FB from selling, and allowing an open man.
In this example, we’ll look at a simple defensive package that can stop the ‘3 HIGH RUN’ play we just created.
We’ll call it ‘3 HIGH’ as we will have three men in the attacking end, and one player in the defensive end, manning up the MID.
Let’s see how this cleans up the play from before.
Defense: 3 HIGH
With this package, the FBs have both Ws defended, resulting in a potential contest if the ball ends up going their way.
Our CBs in the center zone have the MID covered, leaving the opposing CB alone in their defensive end, who have to make a decision, attempt a risky pass, or dribble downfield, and run into our CBs.
Reading The Play
In this example, both CBs are contesting for the ball in the center zone, but our defense shows everyone manned up, allowing our CB to make a play on the ball.
If they pass, it’ll gives anyone else the chance to intercept, or steal the ball.
This package relies on everyone to follow their man, and keep them locked up.
Although this locks players from receiving clean passes, there is still a void in the right half zone, where the MID can breakaway to.
Reading The Play
‘THE VOID’
In this section, we’ll talk about formations while moving up field, and how to identify them.
Attacking formations
Let’s identify what’s happening on the field in this example.
Pretend we’re white, and we are currently in a strong push towards the half zone with a 3 RUN UP. In this formation, we have everything set up neatly:
Using our positions currently as ‘points’, we can draw a shape within the void between our players.
The Diamond
If our players can identify the formation, creating plays involving short passing, and misdirection can make a congested field move fast, creating opportunities.
The key to this is allowing space for your teammates, and not overextending, or getting lost in transition.
The Diamond