Table of contents

• 1800s: 1–1–8 and 1–2–7 and 2–2–6

• 1880s: 2-3-5 - The Pyramid

• 1930s: 2-3-2-3 and 3-2-2-3 

• 1950s: 4-2-4

• 1980s: Contemporary Formations

• The Future of Football

As football evolves, so do team formations.

Whether it is the balanced 4-2-3-1 of the modern game or the 2-3-5 of the 1800s (yes, that’s two defenders and five strikers), each era is defined by its most popular formation.

Sounds interesting, but who cares? Football has moved on tactically, why look back?

Because we can learn a lot about the future of football by analysing the formations of the past.

Football hasn’t stopped evolving, and the lessons of the past still apply today.

So we have created a summary of football’s formation history for you to enjoy.

Let’s dive straight in…

1800s: 1–1–8 and 1–2–7 and 2–2–6

It’s said that modern football has lost the art of defending but maybe it has gone full circle. 

Why? Because formations in the 1800s only had one defender… two if you needed a clean sheet.

Attack, attack, attack was the name of the game in the 1800s.

This means that 1-1-8, 1-2-7 or 2-2-6 were the popular formations of the day.

The English pioneered this attacking style of play which focused on individual excellence upfront.

Teamwork was not a priority. It was about giving the ball to your best attackers as often and as quickly as possible. 

English attacking players (one of the six or seven strikers on the pitch) would take the ball and dribble as far as possible before attempting a pass or shot.

The conventional pattern of play started to evolve after the first-ever international game, Scotland v England in 1872.

The Scots surprised the English by attempting to pass the ball between themselves for a while before attempting a shot at goal.

One could say this planted the seed for tiki-taka football - but that might be a stretch.

Ironically, despite the combined 15 strikers on the pitch, the game finished 0-0.

But… you get the picture.

The 1800s were all about attacking and dribbling. 

1880s: 2-3-5 - The Pyramid

The Pyramid Formation (2-3-5) originated in Wales before spreading to the rest of the world.

The Pyramid became the standard formation until the 1930s.

Three halfbacks and two full-backs were considered to be a balanced team during this time.

Yes, two at the back was balanced in 1880.

But attack, attack, attack was very much still the modus operandi. With individual attacking and defending quality being at the heart of team tactics. 

Halfbacks were the modern-day defensive midfielders.

And the fullbacks would only engage if the halfbacks were passed.

Despite the focus on individual brilliance, teams were starting to pass the ball more following the Scotland v England international.

With the slight change in formation, the importance of teamwork was beginning to take shape.

1930s: 2-3-2-3 and 3-2-2-3 

The Metodo (2-3-2-3) was a transition to more defenders.

And who else but an Italian coach to pioneer a move to a more defensive structure?

The Italian coach, Vittorio Pozzo realised half-backs needed more support to dominate midfield.

And Pozzo achieved big things with his radically defensive formation. He won two World Cups with Italy using his midfield-focused formation.

The inclusion of midfielder-type positions in this formation was indicative of teamwork becoming increasingly important.

This approach contrasted with the tactics of the 1800s which focused on individual attacking quality. 

Following a change to the offside rule, teams went on to adopt a defensive version of The Metodo (known as the MW because of the shape it creates) which included three fullbacks instead of two.

Look familiar? 

Well, some experts say Pep Guardiola’s teams play the WM when in attack and we can vouch for the observation.

1950s: 4-2-4

It was only a matter of time until the Brazilians laid their stamp on the game.

Flavio Costa, the Brazil national coach of the early 1950s developed with this one.

He wanted six attackers and six defenders at all times in the game.

This was the first time each position was required to attack and defend.

The distinction between attackers and defenders starts to blur.

4-2-4 is still more attacking than the contemporary formations of today but a step towards balance compared to the formations that came before it.

Specifically, defending was now beginning to be recognised as an important part of the game for all players in the starting XI… not just the defenders themselves.

Ironically, this was pioneered by the Brazilians in the 1950s and 1960s who were known for their attacking prowess. 

But after the Brazilian national team won two World Cups using 4-2-4, it spread across the world and became the go-to formation.

1980s: Contemporary Formations

With a greater focus on the player’s fitness, formation and tactics adapted in line with this.

It was expected of players to attack and defend, no matter whether they were defensive or offensive players.

This meant that formations prioritised well-rounded positions. As a result, the importance of midfielders began to grow too.

That’s when 4-4-2 took centre stage.

It was later adapted into the 4-3-3 and 4-2-3-1.

The Future of Football

In years to come, players will likely be expected to perform more roles, regardless of their position.

Football players are already required to be well-versed in all parts of the game:

• Full-backs are expected to be more attacking

• Centre-backs should be good on the ball

• Strikers are required to do more than just score

• Wingers are required to score, assist and defend

Sounds like the modern game to us.

With each player being required to do more, the trend has been for formations to progress to include more midfielders.

Sir Alex Ferguson always hypothesised teams would eventually play with six midfielders, buying defenders such as Rio Ferdinand in anticipation of football’s next tactical shift.

In recent years, Pep Guardiola’s Manchester City have made that a reality with his take on the 1800s 3-2-3-2-1 formation, including up to seven midfielders in his starting 11.

What next, eight midfielders who can do it all? Or 11 players who can do it all with no set position whatsoever?

Well, we don’t know but we are looking forward to finding out.