If the back four are caught flat, have your player take on a defender one on one... if he's through that defender, then he's through to goal (if it's middle of the park) or free to make a cross (if it's on the wing)
When the midfield and defenders have the ball, have your forwards make lateral (sp?) runs across the field, as close to the goal line as the last defender as possible (in order to stay onside), when the ball is played, the forward then checks to the space behind the defence where the ball is going. Stikers can make these runs even when there is a sweeper and they can still be effective.
The ball being played can be in the air or on the ground through the gap between the defenders. If the defenders are fast, it may not be as effective. to solve this, make the timing of the pass and run better so that the ball is delivered close to the forwards feet and not to space... this way, you'll keep possession. Just tell your midfielders to tighten up their passes and play it right in front of the forwards, then they can beat the defenders on their own as they may still have the angle.
The flat back four is in my opinion the best way to defend when done well, but the basic theories of breaking down a team are the same. With ball controll, you can try to manipulate the opposing team out of possition and exploit them. Try to switch the field. A team that has good shape and balance will be difficult to break down, but it's still worth the effort. Hope they screw up their shape five times in one game, and punish them once.
Kyle
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