Leicester City's 2015-16 Premier League title is one of football's great underdog stories. Claudio Ranieri settled on a compact 4-4-2, which became a 4-4-1-1 without the ball, and the Premier League's own analysis notes they used it in 35 of their 38 matches with a very settled team. They didn't need much of the ball: they defended compactly, won it in midfield, and played early passes for Jamie Vardy to run onto, with Riyad Mahrez and N'Golo Kanté key to the way they played.
Step 1 of 4
Compact 4-4-2. They have it in midfield and try to play through us.
Drawn for 11v11 4-4-2. Pick your own format and shape and every step is redrawn for your players. Then present it or send it to your team.
Step by step
Compact 4-4-2. They have it in midfield and try to play through us.
Our central midfielder reads the pass and steps in front to win it.
First pass forward, early, into the space behind for the striker already on the shoulder.
Through on goal, with a wide midfielder arriving.
When to use it
When your team has a quick striker and hard-working midfielders, against teams who like to keep the ball. It's a great model for grassroots teams who don't dominate possession.
Coaching points
A compact 4-4-2 that is hard to play through.
Midfielders who win the ball by intercepting passes, not just tackling.
The first pass after winning it goes forward, early, into space for the striker.
The striker starts on the shoulder of the last defender, ready to run in behind.
Wide midfielders join the counter quickly.
Who does what
Position
Their job
Strikers
One runs in behind, one links and presses.
Central midfielders
Win the ball and play forward early.
Wide midfielders
Defend, then break forward at speed.
Back four
Compact, defend the box, clear forward.
When they change it
If they…
You…
The opponent sits deep too
Use set pieces and wide play; there's less space for counters.
They press high
Go long early to the striker running in behind.
Copying it at grassroots
Teach the early forward pass after winning the ball and the striker's run in behind.
Common mistakes
Winning it and passing sideways.
The striker dropping deep instead of threatening behind.
Gaps in the 4-4-2 that a passing team can play through.
At 7v7, 9v9 and 11v11
7v7
A 2-3-1 with a quick striker and an early pass after winning the ball.
9v9
A 3-3-2 or 2-4-2 with two strikers, one running in behind.
11v11
The board: a compact 4-4-2 winning the ball and countering fast.
The history on this page is written in our own words from these sources. The board is our simplified picture of the idea, not a copy of any match footage.
