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Football · Level 9: Master · Sub-level 9.96

The Formation Timeline

10 tests · 100 facts · updated 12 October 2026 · markdown

How the game's shapes changed, in detail: the first passing game, the WM, the Danubian school, Brazil's 4-2-4, the Italian bolt, Ramsey's 4-4-2, the libero, the 3-5-2, the 4-2-3-1 and the return of the back three.

Each test below is ten questions on Insporta. The list under a test is what the questions check: one fact per question, with the source it was written from. Read it before the test, or come back from a wrong answer.

Test 1The 2-3-5 and the first passing gameTake a test

  1. Queen's Park players made up the Scotland side that passed the ball rather than dribbling it.

    Source: Histories of football tactics (Wilson, Inverting the Pyramid); club and competition records · applied

  2. England attacked with a mass of dribblers; Scotland used two backs, two half-backs and six forwards.

    Source: Histories of football tactics (Wilson, Inverting the Pyramid); club and competition records · applied

  3. The army side mixed dribbling with passing to team-mates in support.

    Source: Histories of football tactics (Wilson, Inverting the Pyramid); club and competition records · applied

  4. The 'pyramid' became the standard shape for the next forty years.

    Source: Histories of football tactics (Wilson, Inverting the Pyramid); club and competition records · applied

  5. The centre-half was the pivot of the team, supporting the forwards and breaking up attacks.

    Source: Histories of football tactics (Wilson, Inverting the Pyramid); club and competition records · applied

  6. The Corinthians, founded in 1882, supplied many England players and never took part in cup competitions for years.

    Source: Histories of football tactics (Wilson, Inverting the Pyramid); club and competition records · applied

  7. Scottish and Royal Engineers sides showed that a pass beats a man more quickly than a run.

    Source: Histories of football tactics (Wilson, Inverting the Pyramid); club and competition records · applied

  8. Early English sides crowded the attack; each change moved a forward back towards defence.

    Source: Histories of football tactics (Wilson, Inverting the Pyramid); club and competition records · applied

  9. 1863, March 1872, November 1872 and 1889.

    Source: Histories of football tactics (Wilson, Inverting the Pyramid); club and competition records · applied

  10. Scotland's extra half-back and passing game suited a more balanced shape than England's line of dribblers.

    Source: Histories of football tactics (Wilson, Inverting the Pyramid); club and competition records · applied

Test 2Chapman's WMTake a test

  1. Two days later Arsenal won at West Ham with a centre-half dropped between the backs.

    Source: Histories of football tactics (Wilson, Inverting the Pyramid); club and competition records · applied

  2. James sat deep and sprayed passes to the wingers, the link between defence and attack.

    Source: Histories of football tactics (Wilson, Inverting the Pyramid); club and competition records · applied

  3. 1931, 1933, 1934, 1935 and 1938.

    Source: Histories of football tactics (Wilson, Inverting the Pyramid); club and competition records · applied

  4. Winterbottom was in charge until 1962, although a committee picked the team for years.

    Source: Histories of football tactics (Wilson, Inverting the Pyramid); club and competition records · applied

  5. The five attackers make a W and the five defenders and half-backs an M.

    Source: Histories of football tactics (Wilson, Inverting the Pyramid); club and competition records · applied

  6. The WM's inside-forwards fed wingers who cut in and scored.

    Source: Histories of football tactics (Wilson, Inverting the Pyramid); club and competition records · applied

  7. Drake scored seven from eight shots, still a top-flight record in England.

    Source: Histories of football tactics (Wilson, Inverting the Pyramid); club and competition records · applied

  8. 1931, 1933-35 (completed in 1935), December 1935 and 1938.

    Source: Histories of football tactics (Wilson, Inverting the Pyramid); club and competition records · applied

  9. The stopper sat between the full-backs, the wing-halves and inside-forwards formed a square in midfield.

    Source: Histories of football tactics (Wilson, Inverting the Pyramid); club and competition records · applied

  10. Roberts, a tall defender, stayed back to mark the centre-forward, the key change after 1925.

    Source: Histories of football tactics (Wilson, Inverting the Pyramid); club and competition records · applied

Test 3The Danubian school and HungaryTake a test

  1. His slight build and drifting movement made him an early model of a centre-forward who dropped off.

    Source: Histories of football tactics (Wilson, Inverting the Pyramid); club and competition records · applied

  2. Hogan worked with Hugo Meisl and at MTK Budapest; Hungary later credited him for their success.

    Source: Histories of football tactics (Wilson, Inverting the Pyramid); club and competition records · applied

  3. Sebes was also a deputy minister of sport, which gave him control over the players' clubs.

    Source: Histories of football tactics (Wilson, Inverting the Pyramid); club and competition records · applied

  4. It remains England's heaviest defeat.

    Source: Histories of football tactics (Wilson, Inverting the Pyramid); club and competition records · applied

  5. They beat Yugoslavia 2-0 in the final.

    Source: Histories of football tactics (Wilson, Inverting the Pyramid); club and competition records · applied

  6. Bukovi's MTK used a centre-forward who dropped into midfield, a shape later called the MM.

    Source: Histories of football tactics (Wilson, Inverting the Pyramid); club and competition records · applied

  7. Puskás, Kocsis and Czibor were on tour with Honvéd and did not go back.

    Source: Histories of football tactics (Wilson, Inverting the Pyramid); club and competition records · applied

  8. 1931, 1952, 1953 and 1954.

    Source: Histories of football tactics (Wilson, Inverting the Pyramid); club and competition records · applied

  9. Puskás scored 84, Kocsis 75 and Hidegkuti 39.

    Source: Histories of football tactics (Wilson, Inverting the Pyramid); club and competition records · applied

  10. Lancashire-born, he found more interest in his ideas in Central Europe than at home.

    Source: Histories of football tactics (Wilson, Inverting the Pyramid); club and competition records · applied

Test 4Brazil's 4-2-4Take a test

  1. It tilted the WM's midfield square into a diagonal between the defence and attack.

    Source: Histories of football tactics (Wilson, Inverting the Pyramid); club and competition records · applied

  2. His run and goal against Austria in 1958 surprised a coaching staff used to defenders staying back.

    Source: Histories of football tactics (Wilson, Inverting the Pyramid); club and competition records · applied

  3. The ball dipped suddenly like a falling leaf.

    Source: Histories of football tactics (Wilson, Inverting the Pyramid); club and competition records · applied

  4. He ran the midfield pair of the 4-2-4 and later coached Peru.

    Source: Histories of football tactics (Wilson, Inverting the Pyramid); club and competition records · applied

  5. He replaced the injured De Sordi for the final and kept his place in 1962.

    Source: Histories of football tactics (Wilson, Inverting the Pyramid); club and competition records · applied

  6. An extra midfielder protected an older defence without losing the wing threat on the right.

    Source: Histories of football tactics (Wilson, Inverting the Pyramid); club and competition records · applied

  7. João Carvalhaes tested the players; his doubts about Pelé and Garrincha were famously ignored.

    Source: Histories of football tactics (Wilson, Inverting the Pyramid); club and competition records · applied

  8. 1950, 1958 and 1962.

    Source: Histories of football tactics (Wilson, Inverting the Pyramid); club and competition records · applied

  9. Champions in 1958, runners-up in 1950 and out in the 1954 quarter-final.

    Source: Histories of football tactics (Wilson, Inverting the Pyramid); club and competition records · applied

  10. Zagallo's work up and down the left flank balanced the side after Pelé's injury.

    Source: Histories of football tactics (Wilson, Inverting the Pyramid); club and competition records · applied

Test 5From verrou to catenaccioTake a test

  1. The extra man behind the defence was meant to lock the door.

    Source: Histories of football tactics (Wilson, Inverting the Pyramid); club and competition records · applied

  2. Rappan played in Vienna before coaching in Switzerland and leading the Swiss national team.

    Source: Histories of football tactics (Wilson, Inverting the Pyramid); club and competition records · applied

  3. Rocco, from Trieste, later won two European Cups with Milan.

    Source: Histories of football tactics (Wilson, Inverting the Pyramid); club and competition records · applied

  4. Foni dropped Gino Armano back to mark, freeing a spare man behind.

    Source: Histories of football tactics (Wilson, Inverting the Pyramid); club and competition records · applied

  5. Scirea won the 1982 World Cup and every club trophy with Juventus.

    Source: Histories of football tactics (Wilson, Inverting the Pyramid); club and competition records · applied

  6. He was the father of Paolo, who captained Milan to five European Cups decades later.

    Source: Histories of football tactics (Wilson, Inverting the Pyramid); club and competition records · applied

  7. Sacchi's success made a flat, zonal line the new standard.

    Source: Histories of football tactics (Wilson, Inverting the Pyramid); club and competition records · applied

  8. Foni with Inter in 1953, Rocco with Milan in 1962 and Herrera with Inter in 1963.

    Source: Histories of football tactics (Wilson, Inverting the Pyramid); club and competition records · applied

  9. Picchi was Herrera's sweeper in the 1960s, Scirea in the 1970s and 1980s, Baresi until the 1990s.

    Source: Histories of football tactics (Wilson, Inverting the Pyramid); club and competition records · applied

  10. Viani's system at Salernitana, nicknamed the 'vianema', is one of the first Italian versions.

    Source: Histories of football tactics (Wilson, Inverting the Pyramid); club and competition records · applied

Test 6Ramsey's wingless 4-4-2Take a test

  1. Ipswich won the title in their first season in the top division.

    Source: Histories of football tactics (Wilson, Inverting the Pyramid); club and competition records · applied

  2. Opposing full-backs had no one to mark, and Leadbetter's passes found the two strikers.

    Source: Histories of football tactics (Wilson, Inverting the Pyramid); club and competition records · applied

  3. Each played one group game; from the quarter-final England used no wingers.

    Source: Histories of football tactics (Wilson, Inverting the Pyramid); club and competition records · applied

  4. Hurst kept his place and scored a hat-trick in the final.

    Source: Histories of football tactics (Wilson, Inverting the Pyramid); club and competition records · applied

  5. Argentina's captain Rattín was sent off and refused to leave the pitch for several minutes.

    Source: Histories of football tactics (Wilson, Inverting the Pyramid); club and competition records · applied

  6. He won the league with Tottenham's push-and-run side in 1951.

    Source: Histories of football tactics (Wilson, Inverting the Pyramid); club and competition records · applied

  7. Taylor's side aimed long, early passes at two strikers and finished second behind Liverpool.

    Source: Histories of football tactics (Wilson, Inverting the Pyramid); club and competition records · applied

  8. 1961, 1962, 1963 and 1966.

    Source: Histories of football tactics (Wilson, Inverting the Pyramid); club and competition records · applied

  9. The quarter-final, the semi-final and the final, all at Wembley.

    Source: Histories of football tactics (Wilson, Inverting the Pyramid); club and competition records · applied

  10. Stiles screened the defence, freeing Ball and Peters to work the flanks.

    Source: Histories of football tactics (Wilson, Inverting the Pyramid); club and competition records · applied

Test 7The libero and Total FootballTake a test

  1. He had played the 1966 World Cup final in midfield; as libero he stepped out with the ball.

    Source: Histories of football tactics (Wilson, Inverting the Pyramid); club and competition records · applied

  2. Vasović led the high line that pushed opponents offside.

    Source: Histories of football tactics (Wilson, Inverting the Pyramid); club and competition records · applied

  3. His demands on fitness and punctuality were as famous as his tactics.

    Source: Histories of football tactics (Wilson, Inverting the Pyramid); club and competition records · applied

  4. Michels had joined Barcelona in 1971 and signed Cruyff two years later.

    Source: Histories of football tactics (Wilson, Inverting the Pyramid); club and competition records · applied

  5. The Dutch won 2-0 and their whole team pushed up to spring the trap.

    Source: Histories of football tactics (Wilson, Inverting the Pyramid); club and competition records · applied

  6. Passarella scored well over 100 career goals as a defender.

    Source: Histories of football tactics (Wilson, Inverting the Pyramid); club and competition records · applied

  7. Haan's passing from the back suited a side that wanted every player comfortable on the ball.

    Source: Histories of football tactics (Wilson, Inverting the Pyramid); club and competition records · applied

  8. 1971, 1974 and 1988.

    Source: Histories of football tactics (Wilson, Inverting the Pyramid); club and competition records · applied

  9. Bayern from 1964, the Cosmos from 1977 and Hamburg from 1980.

    Source: Histories of football tactics (Wilson, Inverting the Pyramid); club and competition records · applied

  10. West Germany beat Argentina 1-0 in Rome; Beckenbauer joined Zagallo as a winner as player and coach.

    Source: Histories of football tactics (Wilson, Inverting the Pyramid); club and competition records · applied

Test 8Sacchi's 4-4-2 and the 3-5-2Take a test

  1. Bilardo used three centre-backs and two wide players who covered the flanks.

    Source: Histories of football tactics (Wilson, Inverting the Pyramid); club and competition records · applied

  2. The German-born coach's 'Danish Dynamite' won all three group games.

    Source: Histories of football tactics (Wilson, Inverting the Pyramid); club and competition records · applied

  3. Preben Elkjær scored a hat-trick in Nezahualcóyotl.

    Source: Histories of football tactics (Wilson, Inverting the Pyramid); club and competition records · applied

  4. Kohler and Buchwald marked, Brehme was the left wing-back.

    Source: Histories of football tactics (Wilson, Inverting the Pyramid); club and competition records · applied

  5. Zeman's 'Zemanlandia' scored and conceded freely.

    Source: Histories of football tactics (Wilson, Inverting the Pyramid); club and competition records · applied

  6. Barzagli, Bonucci and Chiellini formed the back three.

    Source: Histories of football tactics (Wilson, Inverting the Pyramid); club and competition records · applied

  7. Cafu and Roberto Carlos gave the side its width.

    Source: Histories of football tactics (Wilson, Inverting the Pyramid); club and competition records · applied

  8. 1986, 1990 and 2002.

    Source: Histories of football tactics (Wilson, Inverting the Pyramid); club and competition records · applied

  9. Champions, runners-up and out in the round of 16 against Spain.

    Source: Histories of football tactics (Wilson, Inverting the Pyramid); club and competition records · applied

  10. Brown swept behind Ruggeri and Cuciuffo and headed the first goal of the final.

    Source: Histories of football tactics (Wilson, Inverting the Pyramid); club and competition records · applied

Test 9The 4-2-3-1 and the false nineTake a test

  1. Mascherano and Alonso sat behind; Liverpool finished second with 86 points.

    Source: Histories of football tactics (Wilson, Inverting the Pyramid); club and competition records · applied

  2. With no fixed centre-forward, Totti's movement pulled centre-backs out of position.

    Source: Histories of football tactics (Wilson, Inverting the Pyramid); club and competition records · applied

  3. The pair gave the passers in front of them a platform.

    Source: Histories of football tactics (Wilson, Inverting the Pyramid); club and competition records · applied

  4. Khedira and Xabi Alonso formed the pivot behind Özil, Di María and Ronaldo.

    Source: Histories of football tactics (Wilson, Inverting the Pyramid); club and competition records · applied

  5. The number 10 found space in front of the defence, with two holders behind him.

    Source: Histories of football tactics (Wilson, Inverting the Pyramid); club and competition records · applied

  6. The final in Kyiv was the biggest winning margin in a Euro final.

    Source: Histories of football tactics (Wilson, Inverting the Pyramid); club and competition records · applied

  7. Torres scored the third and set up Mata for the fourth.

    Source: Histories of football tactics (Wilson, Inverting the Pyramid); club and competition records · applied

  8. Silva after 14 minutes, Alba before half-time, Torres and Mata late on.

    Source: Histories of football tactics (Wilson, Inverting the Pyramid); club and competition records · applied

  9. 1953, 2006-07 and May 2009.

    Source: Histories of football tactics (Wilson, Inverting the Pyramid); club and competition records · applied

  10. Del Bosque started Fàbregas up front, and Spain kept the ball with six midfielders.

    Source: Histories of football tactics (Wilson, Inverting the Pyramid); club and competition records · applied

Test 10The back three returnsTake a test

  1. Chelsea were eighth afterwards; they won the league by seven points.

    Source: Histories of football tactics (Wilson, Inverting the Pyramid); club and competition records · applied

  2. The run, a club record, ended at Tottenham on 4 January 2017.

    Source: Histories of football tactics (Wilson, Inverting the Pyramid); club and competition records · applied

  3. Chelsea beat Manchester City 1-0 in Porto, four months after he arrived.

    Source: Histories of football tactics (Wilson, Inverting the Pyramid); club and competition records · applied

  4. They beat Leverkusen 3-0 in Dublin, ending the Germans' unbeaten season.

    Source: Histories of football tactics (Wilson, Inverting the Pyramid); club and competition records · applied

  5. It was the first hat-trick in a Europa League final.

    Source: Histories of football tactics (Wilson, Inverting the Pyramid); club and competition records · applied

  6. Walker, Stones and Maguire formed the three, with Trippier and Young as wing-backs.

    Source: Histories of football tactics (Wilson, Inverting the Pyramid); club and competition records · applied

  7. Wenger's change of shape late in his reign won him his seventh FA Cup.

    Source: Histories of football tactics (Wilson, Inverting the Pyramid); club and competition records · applied

  8. 2017, 2021 and 2024.

    Source: Histories of football tactics (Wilson, Inverting the Pyramid); club and competition records · applied

  9. Juventus from 2012, Chelsea in 2017, Inter in 2021 and Napoli in 2025.

    Source: Histories of football tactics (Wilson, Inverting the Pyramid); club and competition records · applied

  10. Moses and Alonso became wing-backs and Azpilicueta moved into the back three.

    Source: Histories of football tactics (Wilson, Inverting the Pyramid); club and competition records · applied

Sources

FIFA and UEFA official records / club records / contemporary match reports / published histories and biographies / audited club accounts

  • Histories of football tactics (Wilson, Inverting the Pyramid); club and competition records100