From Paraguay to Powerleague

5 aside football was created in South America, in the early 20th century. Being unable to play with their whole team, due to players having to make ends meet via work, semiprofessional players would play small sides games during the off season to hone their skills.    

Since then, the sport has evolved significantly, in size and awareness, not 100% sure about ability.  5 aside football has been accredited as “the most beneficial past time” by leading Danish professor, Peter Krustrup. With about 2 million people in the UK play “small-sided” football each week.  (The FA.com)

Even though the 5-a-side game is 30 minutes shorter, players run nearly 80% of the distance they would have run over a full 90 minutes of 11-a-side. Furthermore, playing 5 aside football you get 4.5 times the number of touches on the ball compared to 11s. Unfortunately, it is not always the person you want getting those 4.5 extra touches.  

 

 

In this blog, I will be discussing the tactics and resulting effects of said tactics within the 5 aside football hemisphere;  

In this blog we will discuss the 1-2-1 formation; 

 

The classic 1-2-1 set-up mirrors a diamond shape and offers balance on the pitch, providing both offensive opportunities and solid defensive cover. The 1-2-1 formation in 5-a-side is known for its flexibility and width whilst simultaneously allowing teams to transition smoothly between defense and attack. It provides a good balance, with midfielders able to adapt to the flow of the game, supporting both ends of the pitch as needed.  

 

However, this setup requires strong teamwork, solid structure and sound communication. The midfielders must make smart decisions on when to push forward or drop back, as poor positioning can leave the defense vulnerable or miss out on scoring chances. Overall, the 1-2-1 is a solid, balanced option, especially for teams new to 5-a-side, offering coverage in both attack and defense. The 1-2-1 formation is best used against teams who are quite defensive and lack real width.  


See attached video used for analysis:







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