Choosing a Formation in Squadd
Overview
Your formation decides how many defenders, midfielders and forwards are on the pitch, and where they stand. Squadd uses it to place players, plan the substitution rotation, and name each position (LB, CDM, ST and so on).
You can pick a ready-made formation, type your own numbers, or drag each position to where your team actually plays it with Drag positions anywhere.
Selecting a Formation for a Fixture
- Open the fixture and tap Match plan
- Under Formation, tap the formation you want (for example "2-2-2" or "4-3-3")
- Or tap Custom and type your own DEF, MID and FWD numbers
The lineup updates straight away to fit the new shape.
Available Formations
| Format | Formations |
|---|---|
| 3v3 | 1-1-1 · 1-0-2 · 2-0-1 (no goalkeeper) |
| 5v5 | 1-2-1 · 2-1-1 · 1-1-2 · 2-2-0 |
| 7v7 | 2-2-2 · 2-3-1 · 3-2-1 · 1-3-2 · 3-1-2 · 2-1-2-1 Diamond |
| 9v9 | 3-3-2 · 3-2-3 · 2-4-2 · 4-3-1 · 2-3-3 · 3-1-3-1 · 2-3-2-1 |
| 11v11 | 4-4-2 · 4-3-3 · 3-5-2 · 5-3-2 · 4-5-1 · 3-4-3 · 4-2-3-1 · 4-1-4-1 · 4-4-2 Diamond · 4-3-3 with one holding midfielder |
Numbers are the outfield lines from the back. One goalkeeper is always included, except in 3v3, which has none.
The later ones in each row (the 2-1-2-1 Diamond, 3-1-3-1, 2-3-2-1, 4-2-3-1, 4-1-4-1 and the two holding shapes) are drawn as they're played: a holding midfielder sits in front of the defence, a number 10 behind the striker, rather than one row per band.
Drag Positions Anywhere: Draw Your Own Shape
When a formation doesn't look like the way your team plays, move the positions yourself:
- Under Formation, tap Drag positions anywhere
- Hold a player and drag them to where they play, or tap a player and then tap the spot on the pitch
- Tap Done, then Save match plan
While you're dragging positions, faint lines show where defence, midfield and attack meet, and each player's position is shown above them.
Positions are named by where they stand. Drop a midfielder in front of the defence and they become CDM. Push one up behind the striker and they become CAM. A full-back pushed up the wing becomes a wing-back (LWB or RWB).
Moving someone into another third changes their role. Drag a midfielder back into defence and they count as a defender, for the lineup, the rotation and the stats. The formation's name follows too: move the middle of a 2-3-1 behind the other two and it becomes a 2-1-2-1.
Nobody else moves. Everyone else stays exactly where they were. If you drop a player on top of a teammate, they're moved to the nearest clear spot.
Tap Cancel to put everything back as it was before you started. The goalkeeper always stays in goal.
Keeping a shape for every match
After you've moved positions, tap Save shape. Your shape then appears under Formation for every match in that format, next to the ready-made ones, so next week it's one tap. A team admin can also make it the team default (see Setting Your Default Formation).
To delete a saved shape, hold its chip and confirm. Lineups already saved in it keep their shape.
To go back to typing numbers, tap Set by numbers.
Custom Numbers
If you'd rather type it, tap Custom and enter the DEF, MID and FWD numbers. The total must equal the number of outfield players for your format (6 for 7v7, 10 for 11v11, and all 3 for 3v3, which has no goalkeeper).
Custom numbers apply to this fixture only. To use the same shape every week, move the positions and tap Save shape, or set a default in Settings → Default formation.
How Formation Affects the Lineup
Player assignment: When you change formation, Squadd fills the new positions from the players available, by their usual positions.
Substitution rotation: The rotation plan is built for the formation. More outfield positions means more players rotating at each sub window.
Position names: A formation drawn as it's played (a ready-made one like the Diamond, or one you've moved) always names its positions. Other formations name them when Detailed Positions is on: four defenders in a 4-4-2 become LB, LCB, RCB and RB rather than four generic DEF places.
Setting a Default Formation
To avoid picking the same formation before every match:
- Go to Settings → Default formation
- Choose a formation, or one of your saved shapes
Every new match plan starts in it. You can still change it for any match.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I have a formation with no midfielders?
Yes. Set MID to 0, or drag the midfielders into defence or attack. Some 5v5 teams play this way.
Does the live match screen show my shape?
Yes. The Pitch tab draws the players where you placed them. A substitute stands where the player they replaced stood, and two players swapped on the Pitch tab swap spots. Change at half time (or on a planned sub) draws your shape too, so you arrange the second-half team on it. On a small screen, or with very large text, the Pitch tab lies the pitch on its side and shows the players in their lines.
Can I change the shape during a match?
The starting lineup is fixed once the match kicks off, so dragging positions is for planning before kick-off. During the match, use the Pitch tab to make subs and swap players' positions.
Does formation affect which player is suggested for a swap during the match?
No. The live fair-play suggestion is based on minutes played, not on positions.
Should I pick different formations for league and cup?
That's your call. Squadd uses whatever you select, and you can change it for any fixture without changing your team default.