Quick answer
What formations are available and how do I change them?
Clubhouse supports a range of formations for 11-a-side, 9-a-side, and 7-a-side matches. The formations available to you depend on the match format for your age group.
The formation button is at the bottom of the pitch view and shows the current shape. Tap it to open the formations for your match format, then tap a shape to switch. The presets come first, then your club's own shapes and yours. You can change formation at any time: before kick off, during play, or at half time.
If none of the presets is quite how your team lines up, tap New shape to make your own, starting from the shape on the pitch. How do I make my own formation? covers drawing one, sharing it with the club, and making one from a play in the session planner.
When you switch formations, Clubhouse automatically remaps your on-field players to the closest matching positions in the new formation. For example, if you move from a 4-3-3 to a 4-2-3-1, your centre-backs stay as centre-backs and your midfielders shift to the nearest equivalent slots.
If you change formation after the match has started, position change events are recorded for any player whose slot moves.
Tip: Review the pitch after changing formation to make sure everyone ended up where you want them. You can always drag players to different slots to fine-tune.
These formations are available for all 11-a-side age groups. New lineups start in the 4-3-3 base formation.
| Formation | Description |
|---|---|
| 4-3-3 (Base Formation) | Balanced back four, midfield three, front three |
| 4-3-3 (Single Pivot) | One deep midfielder shielding the defence |
| 4-3-3 (Double Pivot) | Two deep midfielders with one advanced playmaker |
| 4-4-2 (Flat Midfield) | Four across the back, a flat midfield four, two strikers |
| 4-4-2 (Diamond Midfield) | Four across the back, diamond-shaped midfield, two strikers |
| 4-1-4-1 (Holding Midfielder) | One holding midfielder behind a midfield four and a lone striker |
| 4-2-3-1 (Classic #10) | Double pivot, three attacking midfielders behind a lone striker |
| 3-4-3 (Three at the Back) | Three centre-backs, wide midfielders, front three |
| 3-5-2 (Wing-Backs) | Three centre-backs, wing-backs either side of a midfield three, two strikers |
| 5-3-2 (Sweeper) | Five across the back with a sweeper, three midfielders, two strikers |
| 5-2-3 (Wing-Back Attack) | Five at the back with attacking wing-backs, two midfielders, front three |
Used for U10–U13 age groups in JDL and equivalent competitions. Every 9-a-side age group gets the full list, and new lineups start in 3-2-3.
| Formation | Description |
|---|---|
| 3-2-3 (FNSW Recommended) | Three defenders, two midfielders, three forwards |
| 3-3-2 (FNSW Recommended) | Three defenders, three midfielders, two strikers |
| 2-3-3 | Two defenders, three midfielders, three forwards |
| 3-4-1 | Three defenders, four midfielders, one striker |
| 3-diamond-1 | Three defenders, diamond midfield, one striker |
| 2-1-2-1-2 (2 Diamond 2) | Two defenders, diamond midfield, two strikers |
Used for U9 JDL. New lineups start in 3-3.
| Formation | Description |
|---|---|
| 3-3 (FNSW Recommended) | Three defenders, three forwards |
| 2-3-1 (FNSW Recommended) | Two defenders, three midfielders, one striker |
| 3-2-1 | Three defenders, two midfielders, one striker |
| 2-1-3 | Two defenders, one midfielder, three forwards |
Note: The recommended shapes are the ones in FNSW's JDL Parent Information Guide. Any formation in the list is allowed, so pick whatever suits your team.
Each formation defines named positions (e.g. GK, LB, CB, RB, LCM, CM, RCM, LW, ST, RW). These labels appear on each slot in the pitch view to help you and your players understand where they're being asked to play. Your own shapes get the same labels, worked out from where each player stands.
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