Style and Systems of Play Systems, Styles and Responsibilities – What are they and why is this important? Trying to establish a ‘system and style of play’ across numerous teams, players and age groups is not an easy thing to do, but hopefully this document will begin to provide some clarity on what to expect on the field, both in training and in games. This presentation is the first step to establishing the ‘Wyoming Way’ of playing, with the focus being on Long Term Player Development. Through regular coach education, player education and exposure to more soccer, we can all strive to improve the standards within Wyoming and compete regularly within regional competitions and tournaments that our teams participate in. System vs Style System of play, historically referred to as a ‘formation’, is a tool we use to identify areas of the field players should occupy and their roles and responsibilities in each of these positions according to your principles of play (the constants within the game). Style of play refers to your approach to the game as it pertains to your soccer philosophy, and primarily what the actions of the players within the game will be when on and off the ball. Examples: 1. My soccer philosophy is one of long term player development, where all players on the field will be involved in the movement of the ball forwards as well as defending as a team. 2. My soccer philosophy is one of urgent, attacking soccer using speed and power to dominate the opposition. Systems of Play 1-4-4-2 1-3-5-2 1-5-3-1 Systems of Play 1-3-4-3 1-4-4-2 1-4-3-3 Diamond System of Play: 1-4-3-3: 11v11 – U13 and Older System of Play: 1-4-3-1: 9v9 – U11 & U12 System of Play: 1-4-1-1: 7v7 – U9 & U10 Style of Play 4 Moments of the Game Style of Play: Summary in ATTACK: - Looking to find the highest available attacking player to score, if no passing option available, we keep it and circulate to find an option (Three R’s – Relax, Retain, Recycle). in DEFENSE: - Line of confrontation set for the half way line. During transition, delay opposition forward movement, allowing team to drop and get compact & stay compact, with the intent of looking to organize first, then focus on winning the ball second. Style of Play: Attacking Attacking Principles 1. Spread out, get wide and remain as wide as possible. (2, 3, 7, 11.) 2. Penetrate with highest available pass when available. 3. When you cannot penetrate, circulate the ball to unbalance opponent. (Relax, Retain, Recycle) 4. Vary runs, triangulate to create passing lanes that break opposition lines of defense, playing in the half space and create numerical superiority with player rotations throughout the thirds. 5. Isolate defenders 1v1/2v1 in the attacking third. 6. Support the attack and push up. 7. Communicate. Style of Play: Defending Defending Principles 1. Get Compact, Stay Compact 2. Line of confrontation (half way line). 3. Deny Penetration into own penalty area. 4. Pressing as a group of players, recognizing visual cues to step to win the ball (bad touch, weight of pass) 5. Delay forward movement and force outside/protect central channel (as seen in next slide). 6. Double up when pressing individual when possible in wide areas. 7. Shift, Slide and Squeeze as a unit. 8. Communicate. Field Locations Style of Play: Transition Principles (ATT to DEF) 1. Pressure the ball immediately after losing it (1st defender) to delay forward movement, look to funnel to the outside. 2. Make field compact as quickly as possible – players drop in, get compact and stay compact) 3. Get organized and balanced as quickly as possible. 4. Communicate. Style of Play: Transition (DEF to ATT) 1. Spread out – Get wide, stay wide. 2. Create passing lanes, movement and rotations to break lines of defense. 3. Pass or dribble forward to penetrate. 4. Relax, Retain and Recycle the ball if and when we cannot find highest available pass. 5. Prepare/Anticipate (Squeeze up to reduce space between attacking lines, limit space for opposition players to exploit) 6. Communication. Game Plan Attacking: Retain the ball within defensive third into midfield third to invite pressure in the knowledge that our 7, 9 and 11 have pace with the ball at their feet. Once we invite the opposition to press higher up the field and their back four squeeze up, look to play the highest available pass to release one of the front three or the 10. Movement of the front three to isolate defenders 1v1 or find gaps between opposition back four to play in behind and chase. Defending: Upon losing the ball, closest player to the ball presses to delay opposition forward movement while the rest of the team drop behind the ball and get compact. Primary concern is to protect the central channel and deny penetration into the defensive third. Wyoming Soccer Player Roadmaps Player Roadmaps Like any Roadmap, this should serve as a visual representation of how to get from Point A, to Point B on the soccer field. The Wyoming Soccer Player Roadmap, is intended to allow players to understand the game more clearly, and the actions needed dependent on the location of the ball and the players on the field. Player Roadmap ATTACKING WHERE WHY HOW WHAT PLAYER ACTIONS PLAYER QUALITIES Where is it happening Why do we attack? How are players going What do players need to What qualities do they on the field? What is the purpose? to be successful? do for success? need to execute? • Move the ball • Passing forwards to • Shooting • Knowledge of the game (playing and watching more Own Half Build forwards. highest available • Passing • Dribbling soccer) players’ feet. • Make informed decisions. Up • Spreading Out (Width) • Players running beyond • Demonstrate focus. • Support Attack (Depth) • Execute with optimal technical the location of the ball. • Move to receive as a passing abilities. • Create goalscoring • Players moving into option • Execute with optimal physical Opponents Half Build opportunities. supporting positions • Attack in 1v1 and 2v1 abilities. situations • Take initiative and be Up (width & depth). proactive. • Create and exploit • Creativity on and off the ball • Be creative on the ball, do the openings. • Switching point of attack unexpected. (ball movement across field) • • Score goals. • Forward runs at speed Take accountability for their Close to Opponents • Interchangeable positions on own development. off the ball. field. • Drive the competitive Goal • Forward runs at speed standards within training. • Demand more from on the ball. teammates. • Be a leader. Player Roadmap ATTACKING CLOSE TO OPPONENTS GOAL – SCORE GOALS OPPONENTS HALF BUILD UP – CREATE GOALSCORING OPPORTUNITIES OWN HALF BUILD UP – MOVE THE BALL FORWARDS Player Roadmap DEFENDING WHERE WHY HOW WHAT PLAYER ACTIONS PLAYER QUALITIES Where is it happening Why do we DEFEND? How are players going What do players need to What qualities do they on the field? What is the purpose? to be successful? do for success? need to execute? Opponents Half - • Delay opponent • Delay opposition • Stop opposition ball • Knowledge of the game (playing and watching more Disrupt Opponent Build forward movement forward movement. carrier from passing or soccer) Up • Force to Outside • Delaying will allow dribbling forward. • Make informed decisions. • Demonstrate focus. • Regain the Ball time for team to • Protect Central • Execute with optimal technical drop behind location Channel abilities. • Prevent opponent • Execute with optimal physical Own Half - Prevent forward movement. of the ball. • Protect the Goal. abilities. • Force to Outside. • Aggressive to the • Make it Compact • Be aggressive to the ball. Opponent Build Up • Take initiative and be • Deny Central Channel ball in own half. • Keep it Compact proactive. • Regain the Ball. • Step to ball as a • Steal back the ball. • Take accountability for their own development. • Stop Shots team. • Outnumber opponent. • Drive the competitive Close to Goal – Stop • Stop Crosses • Regain the ball. • Stay involved. standards within training. • Demand more from Goalscoring Chances • Regain Ball and • Mark the player. teammates. Counter Attack. • Be a leader. Player Roadmap DEFENDING OPPOSITION HALF – DISRUPT BUILD UP OWN HALF – PREVENT BUILD UP CLOSE TO GOAL – STOP ALL CHANCES/SCORING Position Roles & Responsibilities Positional Roles and Responsibilities #1 - Goalkeeper #4 & #5 – Central Defenders In Possession In Possession • Distribute effectively - try to play short to defenders or kick early with pace. • Be prepared to receive the ball from the goalkeeper. • Be an option when defenders are in possession. • Try to play angled passes behind the opposition. Play sharp, quick passes to FB & CM. • Communicate with outfield players. Early decisions and clear, purposeful instructions. • Attack aerial balls with power, purpose & timing. Out of Possession Out of Possession • Starting position relative to the position of the ball and in line with the ball. • Recognize when to follow opponents short and when to hold your position. • Sweeper/keeper when the defense pushes up. • Be comfortable playing 1v1 and 2v2, practice marking goal-side and ball side. • Shot stopping - ready position, decision whether to catch/parry or punch. React to • When full backs show wide, move deep and centrally to defend crosses. 2nd chances. • #2 & #3 – Full Backs #6 – Holding Defensive Midfielder In Possession In Possession • Try to get on the ball from the Goalkeeper. • Try to release wide midfield players with passes which break lines. • Recognize when to get forward to support the attacking play and when to stay back. • Try to get on the ball from the GK and defenders. Play forwards quickly when possible. • Look for forward passes which break lines. • Encourage attacking midfielders to support when playing into forwards. • Recognize when to come inside with or to receive the ball.