How to use it
- Choose the Formation you play, for example 4-4-2.
- Type the names in Players, one per line, with the goalkeeper first.
- Then type the outfield players in order, from the back to the front and from left to right, and then the substitutes.
- Read the Lineup table, and use Print to print it.
How a formation is read
A formation is written as the number of outfield players in each line, counted from the back, with the goalkeeper not included. 4-4-2 means four defenders, four midfielders and two forwards (Wikipedia, Formation (association football)).
4-4-2: 1 goalkeeper, 4 defenders (2 to 5), 4 midfielders (6 to 9), 2 forwards (10 and 11)
4-2-3-1: 1 goalkeeper, 4 defenders, 2 defensive midfielders, 3 attacking midfielders, 1 forward- Some formations split a line in two, such as the defensive and attacking midfielders of 4-2-3-1; the table names them that way.
- Shirt numbers are given in order from the back, with the goalkeeper as number 1. They are not a rule of any competition, and you can change any number by hand.
What the lineup does not include
- Starting positions on the pitch: use the tactics board for those.
- Substitutions, cards and goals during the match.
- The rules on the number of players or substitutes in a particular competition.
Example: 4-4-2 with eleven names and two substitutes
With the sample names entered in the order listed, Sam Hale is the goalkeeper, number 1. The four defenders are numbers 2 to 5, the four midfielders 6 to 9, and Ross Hunt and Ben Ford are the forwards, numbers 10 and 11. Luke Grant and Leo Park follow as substitutes, numbers 12 and 13.
| No. | Position | Name |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Goalkeeper | Sam Hale |
| 2 | Defender | Liam Shaw |
| 3 | Defender | Noah Reed |
| 4 | Defender | Owen Price |
| 5 | Defender | Jack Lane |
| 6 | Midfielder | Tom Wells |
| 7 | Midfielder | Ryan Cole |
| 8 | Midfielder | Kai Stone |
| 9 | Midfielder | Eli Dunn |
| 10 | Forward | Ross Hunt |
| 11 | Forward | Ben Ford |
| 12 | Substitute | Luke Grant |
| 13 | Substitute | Leo Park |
Frequently asked questions
What does 4-4-2 mean?
Four defenders, four midfielders and two forwards, counted from the back, with the goalkeeper not counted. It is one of the most common ways of writing a formation.
Why is the goalkeeper listed first?
The first name is the goalkeeper. The lineup is laid out from the back, so the goalkeeper is number 1 and the other names follow the lines of the formation.
Can I enter fewer than eleven names?
No. A lineup needs eleven players to fill its places, and the tool shows how many names are still missing. Names after the eleventh are listed as substitutes.
Are the shirt numbers official?
No. They are numbered in order from the back, starting with the goalkeeper as number 1. Teams choose their own numbers, so change any number you need.
Can I print the lineup?
Yes. Use the Print button to print the table from your browser.
Sources
Figures and text last checked on Tuesday, November 10, 2026.