The aim of this study was to examine the effect of playing formation on high-intensity running and technical performance during elite soccer matches. Twenty English FA Premier League games were analysed using a multiple-camera
computerized tracking system (n ¼ 153 players). Overall ball possession did not differ (P 4 0.05) between 4–4–2, 4–3–3 and 4–5–1 formations (50%, s ¼ 7 vs. 49%, s ¼ 8 vs. 44%, s ¼ 6). No differences were observed in high-intensity running between 4–4–2, 4–3–3 and 4–5–1 formations. Compared with 4–4–2 and 4–3–3 formations, players in a 4–5–1 formation performed less very high-intensity running when their team was in possession (312 m, s ¼ 196 vs. 433 m, s ¼ 261 vs. 410 m, s ¼ 270; P 5 0.05) but more when their team was not in possession (547 m, s ¼ 217 vs. 461 m, s ¼ 156 vs. 459 m, s ¼ 169; P50.05). Attackers in a 4–3–3 performed *30% more (P50.05) high-intensity running than attackers in 4–4–2 and 4–5–1 formations. However, the fraction of successful passes was highest in a 4–4–2 (P 5 0.05) compared with 4–3–3 and 4–5–1 formations. The results suggest that playing formation does not influence the overall activity profiles of players, except for attackers, but impacts on very high-intensity running activity with and without ball possession and some technical elements of performance.