Lineup planner
Football Formation Builder for 5-a-Side, Futsal and 11-a-Side Teams
Create a football lineup, position players and plan a simple tactical shape for 5-a-side, 6-a-side, 7-a-side, futsal or 11-a-side matches.
Tactical board
Lineups, roles and second team planning
Football formation builder
Team A players
Tactical note
Keep one player behind the ball, one central outlet, and rotate wide runners after attacks.
Team A · 1-2-1
What a formation builder does
A football formation builder helps you turn a squad list into a starting shape. It is useful when you need to explain who starts in goal, who protects the middle, who gives width and who stays high.
How to create a football lineup
Choose the match format, select a playing style and add player names. For grassroots teams, start with your strongest keeper or organiser, then place reliable defenders and runners before deciding attacking roles.
5-a-side, futsal, 7-a-side and 11-a-side setups
In 5-a-side and futsal, compact shapes such as 1-2-1 and 2-2 keep the team connected. In 7-a-side, 2-3-1 gives width and a clear striker. In 11-a-side, 4-3-3, 4-4-2 and 4-2-3-1 are common starting points.
How grassroots teams can use it
Use the formation as a simple pre-match plan, then adjust after five minutes if the opposition overloads one side or your team cannot play out. A good tactics board is a conversation starter, not a rigid script.
Common mistakes
- Choosing an ambitious shape that your players cannot keep when tired.
- Ignoring the keeper's role in small-sided build-up.
- Putting every ball carrier in advanced positions and leaving no one to protect counters.
From planning to review
Planning tactics is only the first step. Reviewing real match footage shows whether the shape actually worked. Pitchside is pre-launch and being built to help football teams turn that footage into stats, highlights and key moments.
Related Pitchside tools
Plan your team shape before kickoff
Pitchside AI is being built to help teams review stats, highlights and key moments after the match.
FAQs
Can I build 11-a-side football formations?+
Yes. Choose the 11-a-side option to create a simple lineup with positions such as goalkeeper, full-backs, centre-backs, midfielders, wingers and striker.
Can I use this as a futsal formation builder?+
Yes. Use the 5-a-side format for futsal-style shapes and think in roles such as keeper, last player, wide players and pivot.
What is the best 5-a-side formation?+
A 1-2-1 diamond is usually the safest 5-a-side shape because it gives a defender, two passing options and a forward. A 2-2 is simpler if your team needs defensive structure.
What is the best futsal formation?+
Many futsal teams use a 2-2 or 1-2-1 depending on rotation and player confidence. The best shape is the one your players can keep while pressing, defending transitions and using the keeper as a reset.
Is this a football tactics board?+
Yes. It acts as a simple football tactics board online for planning lineups, roles and match ideas before a grassroots or amateur game.
Can I add player names to the formation?+
Yes. Add player names by position for Team A, then optionally add Team B with its own player list and formation. The pitch view keeps role labels visible on mobile and desktop.
What is the difference between football and futsal formations?+
Futsal uses a smaller court, heavier rotations and less space, so roles are more fluid. Outdoor football formations usually hold wider lanes and more fixed defensive lines.