4-4-2 Formation

This formation is the most popular formation in today’s game. It consists of four defenders, four midfielders, two forwards and a goalie. At first glance one might think that this formation would limit scoring due to the lack of forward power. This is not always true. In this formation, the midfielders and outside defenders are much more active in the offensive attack, thus resulting in goals.
DEFENDERS - They can play flat across the back of the field in a line or they can play in an arc shape.
LD/RD - These players should focus mainly on defending their side of the field, and clearing the ball when necessary. They are responsible for sending balls long into space for the forwards to run onto as well as looking to play the ball into the feet of open midfielders.
LB - Their job is to control the back. They are the leader of the other three defenders and to back the other three up at all times. If the opposing team is coming down the right side of the field the sweeper needs to be ready and able to back up his right fullback if he gets beat. He must be able to clear the ball, send the ball to open space for the forwards (generally aiming for the corner flags), clear balls out with his head, stop breakaways from happening.
RB - This players role is to simply stop attacks from happening. He is to strip the opposing team of the ball and distribute. The stopper is not a play maker or a showboat. Win possession of the ball and get it to another player on your team.
MIDFIELDERS - consist of four athletes. The right and left midfielders still exist and carry out the same duties as with the 4-3-3 but a new member of the midfield moves in. This addition to the midfield plays in the middle of the field alongside the center midfielder. These four midfielders start looking a little bit like the defensive diamond.
LM/RM - They must support the forward in front of them and compliment the defender behind them to be successful. These two players are often the ones who cross the ball in and around the goal. If they do wander into the middle of the field then they should be ready to shoot, but in most cases they will be running up and down the sideline hitting crosses in for the forwards to convert into goals.
CM - The two become an offensive/defensive duo and do their best to hold the middle of the field and control the game. Often times one player will take the roll of attacking midfielder and the other the role of defensive midfielder, although those labels are not branded in stone. These two central midfielders may swap roles as long as they communicate and let the other know when a switch is occurring.
FORWARDS - They must work together the entire game, rarely separating themselves by more then 10 to 20 yards. Together they must work to close off angles and defenders from clearing the ball out of the defensive areas. These two forwards must become so comfortable with each other that they can predict where the others next move will be. Now that there are only two of them up there they have to pick up some of the slack for the missing third forward. The attacking midfielder, as mentioned above, should also help pick up some of the slack but the responsibility of scoring goals is still that of the forward so they must really work hard and work together to accomplish their goal.