Our Style of Play & Curriculum Version 2
Introduction The purpose of a youth soccer club in the U.S. is twofold: to serve its players and serve the game. In serving both the players and the game, the next question a club must ask is “What is the club trying to achieve through its service to its players and the game?” Does the club merely want to be an organization that survives, year in and year out; that struggles month-to-month to pay its bills and stay afloat, and produces mediocre players and teams at best? Or… Does the club strive for more than survival and look to the perception of success that comes with winning tournaments, state cups, and other championships? Does it utilize these illusions to mask the ineptitude or unwillingness within the club’s leadership to make a more meaningful impact in the game? Or does the club want more than tangible success? Does the club want to make a significant imprint upon the game of soccer in this country? The clubs who strive for significance, who want to change the game for the better and who persevere in doing so will achieve long-term sustainability within youth soccer in this country. Making a significant impact on the game requires a clear vision of how the game is taught and played, how players are developed and lastly, yet possibly most importantly, how the inner workings of the club is run. All soccer clubs, businesses, and professional organizations operate with a set of values. These values are behaviors that consistently occur within the day-to-day operations of the organization and ultimately create the organization’s culture. Many organizations involuntarily create an unhealthy culture due to a lack of vision of who and what the company stands for and wants to be. The companies who operate in this way achieve the aforementioned illusion of success that comes from winning trophies, but lack the sustainability to survive in the long-term. Our Core Values come from years of research into the character traits of athletes and other prominent figures throughout history. When behaviors connected with these traits are exhibited on a consistent basis they become habits. Habits reveal character, which in turn dictate a person’s ability to positively influence society. From the list of qualities successful people and companies live out daily we have combined, classified, and established the following three Core Values: 1. Respect 2. Discipline 3. Competitiveness RESPECT – the game, our teammates, coaches, parents, referees, and opponents Respect – a feeling of understanding that someone or something is important, serious, etc. and should be treated in an appropriate way. Giving people respect empowers them with a belief in their own self-worth. This belief enables people to aspire to and accomplish feats they would otherwise not attempt. Moreover, people want to be lead. They want to be part of something special and feel as though they matter. Practicing and teaching respect produces a socially cohesive group built upon the feeling that every individual matters. This in turn enables those in positions of authority to lead. 2
DISCIPLINE – to do the little things correctly, all the time; Play our style of soccer – what we do in training Discipline – a way of behaving that shows a willingness to obey rules, orders, or a set of standards; Training that corrects, molds or perfects the mental faculties or moral character. “Life is the fruit of discipline, or the lack of it,” (Matthew Kelly). Discipline means doing things correctly over and over again. From organization protocol and policy to how our players pass the ball – practicing discipline become the habits that ultimately reveal who we are as an organization and as people. When an club creates organizational habits that
COMPETITIVENESS – to strive and persevere in the pursuit of a goal (to WIN!) Competitiveness – the degree of willingness to strive and persevere in pursuit of a goal There seems to be a misunderstanding of what it means to be competitive. People think that because they hate to lose, they are fierce competitors. No one likes to lose, but this does not make you a competitor. Competitiveness is really about overcoming the challenges faced along the way. Adversity is a prelude to greatness!
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 Our style expands on the principles put forth in the U.S. Soccer Curriculum and incorporates resources from worldrenowned clubs and countries with years of success within the youth levels of the game and beyond. To effectively play the style of play outlined in this manual, one must have a solid understanding of the principles of the game, phases of play, and the tactical strategies that result in success. The 4 phases of play are: 1. 2. 3. 4.
Attack (creating chances and scoring goals) Transition to Defense (recovery) Defending (winning the ball back and preventing chances) Transition to Attack (counter-attacking)
The game flows through these phases at a very quick pace. So quick, in fact, that implementing a style of play requires consistently demanding training sessions with activities and game that create moments for each phase to receive attention. In creating these training sessions, we must also make sure that we as coaches are on the same page regarding our understanding of the game and the language we use to teach it.
Areas of the Field: It is important to understand how to describe things to players with relation to the field of play. We will use the following terms to represent areas of the field: The field is divided into thirds as follows:
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The field also divides into corridors or channels:
Left Flank
Left Channel
Central Channel
Right Channel
Right Flank
It is important to understand how the field can be divided in these ways. For example, playing a pass vertically down a channel in an attempt to penetrate in behind an opponent’s back line tends to be easier to intercept as the angle is typically in favor of the defender or goalkeeper.
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System of Play: 4-3-3 Our base formation will be a 4-3-3. The numbers “4” – “3” – “3” indicate the number of players we will have in each “line” of the formation. These players have similar tasks, and are grouped together for simplicity when referencing formations. It is important not to get too caught up in the number of players in any one line as this WILL change throughout the course of the game. In any one moment our formation could look different than the base 4-3-3 depending on who has gone forward to join the attack. Also, from a defensive standpoint, our formation could reflect a 4-5-1 or a 5-4-1 depending upon the movement of players within the lines. As a rule, we will play with four at the back. This will allow for pressure, cover, and balance along with an additional free player at all times. We will play with three central midfielders (either one defensive and 2 attacking or the opposite) to achieve numerical superiority in the central areas of the field. Three forwards will provide consistent width and a central player to occupy the opponent’s center defenders.
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Benefits of the 4-3-3 Formation/System Strength in the Spine: The 4-3-3 formation gives us numbers and flexibility in the central areas of the team, frequently referred to as the “spine” of the team.
It is imperative that players in the “spine” are strong players in all aspects (physically, technically, tactically, and psychosocially). Our system of play allows us the flexibility to have strength in numbers in all three thirds of the field as the Defensive Midfielder can drop into the defensive line to make a back five and the attacking midfielders can step forward t make an attacking line of 5 players. Natural width & 2v1s: The outside forwards provide “natural” width, which will be a key component of our tactics. The outside backs can join the attack to make 2v1s in the attacking third of the field. The two ways our outside backs can join are as follows:
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One Outside Back Joins the Attack – Remaining 3 defenders shift laterally to leave 3 at the back. This provides an overload to one side of the field while maintaining superiority in numbers in the center of midfield. We are exposed on the weak side in midfield, but should be able to recover defensively if necessary. This is the more cautious of the two approaches to having the outside back join the attack.
Both Outside Backs Join the Attack – Center backs step a bit higher and wider while the defensive midfielder stays to make a back three. This provides width via two players on each side of the field. We are exposed in the center of midfield with only two of the three players remaining. This is a more aggressive approach, which should only be utilized if we have the majority of possession and feel confident of stopping our opponents counter attacks efficiently.
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Defensive compactness & quick recovery to shape When we lose the ball, the system allows for a quick recovery to a compact shape in the defensive third. Players can simply recovery straight to goal to make a shape that is difficult to penetrate through.
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Part I: BUSA Style of Play Attacking Phase:
Phase of Play #1: ATTACK Objective: Create chances and score goals using several methods so we are difficult to defend
Methods used: • Build possession and penetration through the center • Build possession and penetration through the width • Shooting from distance • Set pieces • Counter attacking (Phase 2a)
Key Attacking Tactics 1. Build Out of the Back 2. Use Midfielders to Influence Play 3. Utilize Width 4. 1v1s & Combination Play in Attacking 3rd 5. Diagonal Long Passes Attacking Principles: Penetration – to get in behind defenders; 1v1s and through combinations Width – Support right & left to spread opponents out, create diagonal long passing & crossing opportunities Depth – Support centrally to stretch opponents, and provide outlet from pressure Movement off the ball – to create space, numbers up, penetrate, & causeconfusion/indecision in defenders Speed of Play – speed of thought & moving the ball quickly to unbalance defenses Switching the Point of Attack – to unbalance defenses and create 2v1s Reading the Game – having awareness, recognizing cues, thinking ahead, & making wise decision
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The goal in the Attacking phase is to create chances and score goals. We want to be proficient in doing so using several methods so if our opponent is good at defending one method, we can utilize another to score. This also prepares our players to adapt to numerous other styles they may see as the move on to higher levels of the game. Attacking principles:
1. Reading the Game – Having awareness, recognizing cues, thinking ahead and making wise decisions 2. Penetration – movement of the ball to eliminate defenders and get in behind a defensive line through the dribble, pass & movement off the ball
3. Support – positioning and movement to offer a pass to a teammate. Good Support provides width and depth 4. Width – positioning and movement (left and right) into wide areas of the field to spread opponents out 5. Depth – positioning and movement (centrally) to stretch opponents and provide an outlet from pressure
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6. Movement off the ball – movement of players without the ball to support, penetrate, and create space
Movement off the ball to create numbers up scenarios:
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7. Combination play – the use of one or more teammates in passing sequences to penetrate or possess the ball
8. Switching the Point of Attack – moving the ball from one side of the field to the other to create an imbalance in the defense’s shape 9.
9. Speed of Play – quick thinking and movement of the ball through passing or dribbling to create an advantage for the attack 13
Attacking Phase Tactics
The BUSA style of play should reflect teams teaching the following attacking tactics. Tactic #1: Build out of the Back – to bring opponents forward, out of our attacking third, and to create space to penetrate into behind them. 3 methods to initiate buildup based on what makes the most sense (how opponents are defending) 1. Play to central players: Center Backs & Defensive Midfielder(s) 2. Play to wide players: Outside Backs & Outside Midfielders 3. Play long central ball to a compact shape with aim of winning 50/50 battle and the knockdown to gain possession. The objective is to advance the ball toward our goal to players facing the goal or to a forward in an advanced position ready to receive the ball. Quick Movement of the ball is imperative – From width to central area to width to central area, etc. probing for the “right” forward pass – a pass to a player in space or into an area with numbers up. Tactic #2: Use Midfielders to Influence Play – to get our creative players on the ball facing goal in central areas so we can attack down the center or either side in the width. 4 methods based on what makes the most sense (how opponents are defending): a. Playing from the back through the Central Midfielders who can play to the forward b. Playing to Central Midfielders who combine with other Central Midfielders to penetrate c. Playing to wide players who play forward or to the Central Midfielders who can play forward d. Playing from the back to the Forwards back to the Central Midfielders who can play forward Tactic #3: Utilize Width – to stretch opponents, create space to penetrate into, create numbers up, and crossing opportunities a. Outside midfielders and backs spread as wide as possible b. Look for 1v1s, 2v1s, and 3v2s to exploit c. Look for the Early Cross or End-line Cross (most effective crosses to create chances) Tactic #4: 1v1s & Combination Play in Attacking 3rd - to eliminate defenders, causing imbalance in defensive shape a. Penetrate centrally via forwards & midfielders running forward. b. Penetrate out wide via forwards and outside backs coming forward Will also keep opponent’s honest (do we dribble or pass) and create long distance shots Tactic #5: Diagonal Long Passes - To attack opponent’s “weak” side quickly a. Wide player look for diagonal runs into the center of the field when ball is on opposite side b. Player in possession looks to play long diagonal ball over defender’s head on opposite side
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Central Tactics of our Attack
A. Building out of the back
We want to build our attacks from the back. The purpose of building from the back is to draw our opponents out of their defensive 3rd and open up space in behind their defensive line to penetrate into. Striving to play this way demands that we be technically skillful and tactically aware, which results in us becoming better overall soccer players. We will use the following ways to initiate our build-up from the back:
Build-up from the back option #1:
From the goalkeeper to a center back or the defensive midfielder via short passes when opponent has set a low line of pressure:
The above diagram shows the starting positions of each player from a goal kick or whenever the goalkeeper is able to collect possession of the ball. If our opponents draw a low line of pressure, Building out of the Back, Option #1 should be taken by the Goalkeeper. He or she should play to either center back or the defensive midfielder to begin the build up.
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Build-up from the back option #2:
From the goalkeeper to an outside back or outside midfielder – longer diagonal passes, when the opponent has stepped to mark our CBs and DM.
Should our opponents choose to step to prevent a short pass to the center back or defensive midfielder, the goalkeeper should look to Building out of the Back, Option #2 and play an outside back or outside midfielder.
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Build-up from the back option #3:
From the Goalkeeper to the forward line when the opponent has stepped to mark everyone in our defensive half.
Should our opponents choose to step their starting positions as shown in an effort to prevent us from playing out of the back, the goalkeeper should choose to play Building Out of the Back, Option #3. He or she “waves” the team forward into a compact shape as shown. The goalkeeper then plays a longer pass to a central target where we look to win the 50/50 and the knockdowns. Once we establish possession through any of the three methods to build out of the back, the next step is to advance the ball through the midfield third of the field. We will do this through three methods, which we will discuss next.
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B. Getting the CMs to influence play Central Midfield is a very difficult position to play yet is vital to the success of any team. The game happens in 360 degrees around these players so they must have exceptional awareness of what is around them at all times. To successfully create attacks we must win the midfield battle in possession. We will utilize three methods to get our central midfielders on the ball-facing goal: 1. Short passes to center midfielders who have peeled off of their defenders to receive the ball facing goal:
2. Short passes on angles to center midfielders in triangular shapes
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3. Passes to wide midfielders then to the central midfielders:
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Longer passes to the forwards then back to the central midfielders who are now facing goal.
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C. Utilization of the width
We want to utilize the full width of the field as often as possible when in possession. Using the full width of the field has numerous advantages: 1. It can spread out the opponent’s back line and create space to penetrate into:
And create passing lanes to penetrate into:
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2. It can create 1v1s and 2v1’s in dangerous areas:
This helps get our dangerous attacking personalities on the ball facing the goal, which is a common tactic of elite players like Messi and Ronaldo. They go wide to get the ball facing goal! 3. It creates crossing opportunities, like the early cross and end-line cross: The Early Cross:
The End-line cross:
These types of crosses are the most difficult for defenders to handle.
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D. 1v1s & Combination Play in Attacking 3rd
1v1s & Combination play (1-2s and overlaps) are the most common and successful methods to eliminate opponents and cause an imbalance in an opponent’s defensive shape. 1. Look to penetrate centrally via forwards & midfielders running through.
2. Look to penetrate out wide via forwards and outside backs coming forward.
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E. Diagonal long passes (short pass, short pass, short pass, Long Penetrating pass)
Using a short, short, (short), long passing pattern is an effective way of penetrating in behind a defensive line:
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BUSA Style of Play Transition to Defense Phase:
Phase of Play #2: Transition to Defense
Objective: Create opportunities to win the ball back while we organize our defensive shape behind the balll
Methods used: • Nearest player(s) apply immediate pressure to disrupt opponents & create turnovers • Players in defensive line organize a compact shape
Key Defending Principles and Tactics: 1. Nearest player Presses opponent in possesion 2. 2nd nearest player Covers and looks to double team 3. 3rd nearest player Balances and blocks escape 4. Remaining players Recover goal-side and get compact 5. Read the game to be aware of roles and transition quickly
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 In this phase, our shape and Movement off the ball as a team should generally reflect the following images:
Transition to defense in the Attacking 3rd:
Opportunities:
1. Win the ball back in our attacking 3rd while the opponent has just expended energy to win the ball (and is therefore susceptible to mistakes) and has possibly locked their vision onto the ball instead of options to escape. 2. Opponents could be in poor defensive shape as they look to begin their counter attack.
Threats:
1. If played out, opponent may counter with the possibility of numbers up although they have a long way to go to get to goal. 2. If our Defensive Line is caught unaware, a long pass can easily play them out.
Key Principles:
1. Immediate press by nearest player (forward). 2nd & 3rd nearest players block escape by squeezing to the ball and marking nearest opponents out of game. 2. Defensive line read the game to step and intercept a pass or drop to compact shape (organize). 3. Goalkeeper play high off of line to read the game for long passes over our defensive line.
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Transition to Defense in Middle 3rd:
Opportunities:
1. Win the ball back in the middle 3rd while the opponent has just expended energy to win the ball (and is therefore susceptible to mistakes) and has possibly locked their vision onto the ball instead of options to escape. 2. Opponents could be in poor defensive shape as they look to begin their counter attack and there is space in behind them to attack.
Threats:
1. If played out, opponent may counter with the probability of numbers up and a shorter distance to go to goal. 2. If our Defensive Line is caught unaware, a short pass can easily play them out.
Key Principles:
1. Defensive line drop into compact central shape while Midfielders press to delay opponent’s attack. 2. Force play wide, away from goal to allow defensive organization in central areas. 3. Goalkeeper read the game for quick penetrating passes in behind our defensive line.
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 Transition to Defense in our Defensive 3rd:
Opportunities:
1. Opportunities are limited when transitioning to defense in the Defensive 3rd.
Threats:
1. If our Defensive Line is caught unaware, a short pass can easily play them out. 2. If played out, the opponent will likely create a scoring chance.
Key Principles:
1. Defensive line drop into compact central shape while Midfielders Sprint to recover to a goal side position of the ball. 2. Goalkeeper read the game for quick penetrating passes in behind our defensive line.
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BUSA Style of Play Defending Phase:
Phase of Play #3: DEFEND
Objective: Win the ball back and prevent scoring chances by our opponents
Methods used: • Press our opponents as often but as sensibly as possible in the middle & attacking 3rds • Defensive line drops to organize a compact shape in defensive 3rd
Key Defending Principles: 1. Pressure - Physical effort intented to disrupt opponent's decision making & create turnovers 2. Cover - Support of teammate(s) to create turnovers 3. Balance - Support of teammate(s) to block dangerous space and maintain shape 4. Recovery - getting behind the ball as quickly as possible 5. Compactness - organizing our shape to eliminate space in central areas * Set Pieces - delay quick free kick and organize quickly behind the ball
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Defending Principles: 1. Pressure (Press) – individual (1st defender) or collective action of player(s) who defends with intensity the player in possession of the ball
2. Cover – (2nd defender) support of a teammate in defensive position with the following purposes: a. Help 1st defender should he or she get beat 1v1 b. Deny penetrating pass (splitting pass) through appropriate angle of support c. Track 2nd attacker & become 1st defender should the ball get passed.
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3. Balance – (3rd defender) support of the 3rd closest teammate in defensive position with the following purposes: a. Cover dangerous space and deny penetrating pass (splitting pass) through wide angle play b. Track 3rd attacker and become 1st defender should the ball get passed.
4. Recovery – intense movement to get behind the ball and goal side;
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5. Compactness – positioning of players close together behind the ball with the intent on making penetration in central areas difficult
6. Marking – watching over an opponent closely (touch tight) with the purpose of reducing their chances of participating in the attack 7. Tracking – being aware of the movement of an attacking player and adjusting one’s position to prevent that player from penetrating in behind.
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8. Line of Pressure/Confrontation
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In this phase, our shape and Movement off the ball as a team should generally reflect the following images: Defending Down the Right:
Defending Down the Left:
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Defending Down the Center
We must defend with Pressure, Cover, and Balance. If possible, the DM should look to double team the ball as can and. Our wide forwards can drop to help defend the opponent’s wide players. Our CF should stay high to begin the transition into a counter attack as soon as we win the ball
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BUSA Style of Play Transition to Attack Phase:
Phase of Play #4: Transition to ATTACK
Objective: Create a goal scoring chance before the opponent can organize defensively
Methods used: • Look to play forward 1st • Join the attack with speed & numbers
Key Tactical Principles: 1. Forwards read the game, anticipate transitions and move to space early to offer outlet 2. Attack the spaces the opponent has vacated (usually wide where outside backs have gone forward) 3. Movement off the ball to get numbers into attack quickly 4. Progress to buildup (phase 1) when counter attack loses momentum, usually after 2 consecutive square or negative passes
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Transition from Defense to Attack:
The opponents Left Back has pushed forward and their back line has not shifted to cover space. When we win the ball, our CF, #9 should look to run into this space. We must look to pass to him quickly, then join the attack at speed by running into the other spaces as shown.
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Part II: Creating the Syle Through Training Training must teach, train, and consistently implement the style of play set forth in this document. To do so, we’ve included several activities to teach the Principles of Play and full training sessions to show how the style of play is created.
Activities to Teach the Principles of Play
Principle of Play #1) Penetration: 1v1s and 1v1+1s are perfect to teach the principle of penetration – getting in behind an opponent. Try a simple 1v1 game to end lines, where the player in possession must dribble across the opposing end line with the ball in control: Organization: Setup grids that are longer than it is wide (10x14). Identify one side as the “attackers” and one as the “defenders”. Begin by having the 2nd player in the “defenders” line pass the ball to the first player in the “attackers” line. The 1st player in the defender line begins AS the ball is being passed. Even though there isn’t a defensive focus, this will get the defender in the habit of “reading the game” and seeing the pass being played to start the 1v1 game. Have players switch lines after each rep. Setup several grids to maximize repetition. Coaching Points: Teach the attacker to recognize (see) and “attack the space” in behind the opponent. This replicates an attacker seeing a 1v1 in a game and going at them quickly Reinforcement: Congratulate players who score for Penetrating in behind the opponent.
Insert a neutral to make it 2v1 and add a new level of decision making for the players, i.e. new Principles of Play: Principle of Play #2) Support & Principle of Play #3) Movement off the ball (to support/penetrate) Organization: Consider making the grid a little wider to account for the Neutral player. Try to have multiple grids going at once to maximize repetition. Rotate starting positions after a specified number of minutes. The neutral player plays with whoever passes them the ball (deflections do not count as a pass). Coaching Point: Teach the 1st attacker to recognize if they can penetrate on the dribble (see space to attack) or if they should pass to supporting player/penetrating player (2nd attacker) Reinforcement: Acknowledge players who score for making wise decisions: • Attacking space on dribble • Pass to open (supporting) player or penetrating player • Movement to support or penetrate
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Inserting goals adds a new layer of decision-making (coaches should include both types of games in training): Organization: Adding a small goal means the attackers need a larger space between themselves and the defender to shoot (small target is harder to hit). Adding a large goal means the attackers need less space to shoot and will (should) result in more shots being taken Conditions: Add a midfield line (with cones). Make attackers cross the line before scoring or use as an offside line for more advanced players or to teach offsides. Coaching Point: Teach the attackers to recognize and create shooting opportunities. Reinforcement: Acknowledge players who score for making wise decisions: • Shooting when a clear shooting opportunity is there • Attacking space on dribble • Pass to open (supporting) player or penetrating player • Movement to support or penetrate
Principle of Play #4) Width: Any game with 3 or more players can establish width – using the wide areas of the field. Organization: Create grids that are wider than they are long. Have 1 team/group of players be neutrals, who begin the game with a pass into either side. When the ball goes out of play, the next neutral in line begins the game with a new pass as the neutral that was playing sprints off. This keeps the game flowing. Neutrals play with whoever passes them the ball. Coaching Points: Teach players to use the Width by staying wide in possession. This will 1. Create space to attack 2. Create numbers up situations to attack 3. Spread the defenders out Reinforcements: Acknowledge players who: • Stay wide and create space • Make wise decisions with the ball • Score goals by using the width, may not be directly involved in the play
End-zone Game: 3v3+1 Organization: Create grids that are 20x30 with 5 yard endzones on the ends. Play 3v3+1. Teams score by completing a pass to a teammate who is running into the end-zone (they cannot enter the end-zone until the ball is passed). Coaching Points: All Principles of play previously taught can be reinforced in this game with penetration being the main objective and the other principles utilized to help penetrate: 1. Penetration 2. Support 3. Movement 4. Width 5. Depth
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