FC Edmonton Academy Game Model with subsubprinciplesgrowingthegame.ca/wp/wp-content/.../FC-Edmonton-Academy-Game-… · ! 3.!Keep!the!ball!movingto!constantly!shift!the!opposition’sdefensive!block!!

FC Edmonton Academy Game Model Offensive Organization

MacroPrinciple Dominate possession through ball movement to disorganize our opposition Objective: To draw in and shift our opposition so that we can take advantage of the spaces in behind their last line of defense or from the switch of play to the weak side. Phase 1 – Our build up phase (Zones 1 and 2) Sub-‐Principles: 1. Back line of 3 Our two center backs will open up to the width of the 18 with our number 6 also showing back to receive the ball. Sub-‐sub-‐principles: 1. Movement of the Center backs and Outside backs 2. Movement of our holding and attacking midfielders 3. Creating initial width and depth 4. Creating multiple lines ahead of the ball 2. Keeper playing with feet and part of our build-‐up. We want our keepers off the line (depending on pressure on the ball) and looking to support our center backs in our build-‐up play. Must be able to switch the play to either our opposite center back or wider to our advanced left/right back. Sub-‐sub-‐principles: 1. Must be able to pass over multiple distances 2. Ability to play quickly, especially when switching play 3. Intent of team to go forward, however, playing back an option to keep possession 4. Possession and repositioning of the team to play out 5. Safe passing lines ahead of the keeper 3. Offensive balance in our team shape If we break the field into five lateral channels, we want to ensure that we have players occupying each channel. Players must also ensure they are creating different horizontal lines. Sub-‐sub-‐principles: 1. Winger and Outside Back cannot be in the same lateral channel 2. Outside backs should be pushed high, past opponents first line 3. Players in different lateral channels and different horizontal channels (lines) 4. Central forward giving the team depth and in central lateral channel 5. Central mids forming a offset triangle, playing on three separate lines.

4. Play inside to play outside In this principle we want to first get the ball into the feet of our three central mids. From this position we can then play forward through the five lateral channels. Sub-‐sub-‐principles: 1. Draw opponent’s defensive shape inside to get them compact 2. Create overloads in the flanks (2v1, 3v2) 3. Diagonal passing from central to wide lateral channels 4. Diagonal runs from wide players coming off weak side 5. Weak side wingers drawing opposition outside back inside to create space for our own weak side outside back 6. Positive first touch on ground and aerial passes 5. Short to medium passing to draw in our opposition As we play into zone 2, we want to draw in the opposition midfields to create space in behind them. Ideally we want to create space for our three forwards (7, 9, 11) to have a channel between our opponent’s back and midfield lines for which to come and collect the ball. Sub-‐sub-‐principles: 1. Players playing in channels and on different lines 2. Collective speed with the ball 3. Movement of the central mids and wingers to support in front and behind the ball 4. Create overloads 5. Variety of passing distances 6. Receiving with body shape and intent to play forward 6. Long passing when the opposition is pressed high and leaves space behind their back line. We must have an ability to play direct when the oppositions starts to press high, and takes away our ability to play through the central areas. Along with this, we also want to play direct when there is space behind our opponents back line. Sub-‐sub-‐principles: 1. Movement of forwards to get in behind opposition back line 2. Support from the attacking midfielders for the forwards, or for second balls 3. Positional balance of entire team to move up-‐field as the ball travels


Phase 2 – Creation Phase (Zones 2 and 3) Sub-‐Principles: 1. We want to create as much width and depth as possible. In this principle we want to ensure that our target striker is giving us initial depth from his starting position. Our wingers should be giving us as much width as possible. On the occasions that a winger is tucked inside, the outside back takes up the wide position. Sub-‐sub-‐principles: 1. Dispersal of players to occupy the five lateral channels and create several horizontal lines. 2. Draw opposition to one side of the pitch to exploit them on their weak side 3. Ability to play under pressure, in underloads to retain possession 2. Player and ball movement to disorganize the opposition We want our wingers to have the freedom to come inside, while our left/right backs can get down the line. Along with this, we want to see movement from our two attacking mids and central forward to play off of each other and on different horizontal lines. With respects to ball movement we want to keep the ball moving quickly, constantly shifting our oppositions defending shape. Sub-‐sub-‐principles: 1. Mobility 2. Interchanging of positions 3. Players looking to break the line with run (penetration) 4. Quick ball movement (Speed of play) 5. Create spaces in the opponents defensive organization 6. Creating passing lines to the ball carrier 3. Wingers and outside backs playing in different lateral channels Utilizing the 5 lateral channels, we want our wingers playing in the widest grids. If the wingers dribble or make runs into the inside channels, the left/right backs must occupy the widest channels. Sub-‐sub-‐principles 1. Keeping width in our attack to stretch out our opposition 2. Inside diagonal runs from the widest lateral channel 3. 1v1, 2v1

4. Build up through the central areas and outnumber our opposition in these areas. We want to keep the ball in our central midfield initially or the inside 3 lateral channels, to open up all five channels when pressing the attack into zone 4. We want to create numbers up as much as possible in the central midfield to 1.) control possession, 2.) draw opposition players inside, thus freeing up the flanks, 3.) be in a sound defensive position to win the ball back immediately should we lose possession. Sub-‐sub-‐principles: 1. Movement of our midfield and forwards to create overloads and to get unmarked 2. Ball movement/speed of play 3. Keep the ball moving to constantly shift the opposition’s defensive block 4. Playing in-‐front and behind defensive lines 5. Players capable of playing under pressure With a mindset to play through our central midfield, players must be able to play in tight areas, under pressure, and be able to make quick decisions. Sub-‐sub-‐principles: 1. Ability to receive and play under pressure and to open away from opposition 2. Players must have an ability to shield 3. Confident in 1v1 duels 4. Various passing ranges 6. Create overloads Here we are looking to create 2v1, 3v2, 4v3 overloads, around the ball. Sub-‐sub-‐principles: 1. Movement to support our ball carrier 2. Overlapping runs from the outside backs 3. longer passes out of pressure to exploit an opponents weak side 4. Ability to dribble at/engage opposition defenders 5. Ability for players to disguise pass, play off of the front foot


Phase 3 – Finishing Phase (Zones 3 and 4) Sub-‐Principles: 1. Dynamic movement of the front players Here we look to have our central forward (9) look to vary his movement to disorganize the two opposition central defenders. We also want to see our wide forwards (7,11) coming inside for diagonal runs and to overload zone 14 Sub-‐sub-‐principles: 1. Starting point will be to give the team depth 2. Mixture of starting positions off of opposition center back, i.e in front, off of back shoulder, 3. Wingers who are able to get up the line, but also know when to come inside to play in the channels, or gaps in the opposition defending block. 4. Variety of touches will be required; back to goal, spin, lay-‐off 5. Penetrating runs to open up space for another player 2. Break defensive blocks with quick combination play Creating angles of support, players breaking line, 1-‐2 touch passing and constant player movement. Sub-‐sub-‐principles: 1. Speed of play, quick 1 or 2 touch combinations 2. Ability for players to move the ball under pressure 3. Players breaking the last line of defense 4. Ability to play off the front foot 5. Requires various first touches, i.e. with all parts of the foot 3. Create 1v1 scenarios for the 1v1 specialists Trying to isolate our dribbling specialists to be in 1v1 situations. Looking for the quick switch of play to our weak side winger. Sub-‐sub-‐Principles 1. 1v1 dribbling ability 2. Receiving first touch with an open body position and an intent to engage the opposition defender. 3. Possession inside, or opposite side to isolate one of our players to receive and go 1v1 4. Wingers who look to receive and go 1v1 against the opposition outside back to either dribble inside, or keep wide to play in a cross

4. Crossing under favorable conditions If it is on to cross, with players prepared to get into the box, then we look to cross. If there are no players in the box, or the defending team is set up to defend against only one player we should try to either win a corner, or keep possession by playing back to a supporting outside back. Sub-‐sub-‐principles: 1. 2v1 utilizing our winger and outside back 2. Combining with our central forward or attacking mid to penetrate past the opposition outside back for a cross 3. Supporting player to keep possession if the cross is not on 4. Timing of runs from forwards and attacking mids 5. Central attacking players framing the goal, near post, central, far post runs 6. Ability to read the keepers position to determine if cross can be driven, or flighted to the back post 7. Team balance to both; 1. Win second balls, and 2. be able to prevent the opposition counter attack 5. Positioning in the effective finishing zones Can we get at least three players in the box for crosses. It is also important to arrive in space and not occupy it. We also want to ensure that central midfielders are taking up space at top of the 18 so that they can win second balls. Sub-‐sub-‐principles: 1. Timing of runs in the box to meet the ball 2. Runs getting in front of the covering defender 3. Framing the goal (near post, central, far post) 4. Central mid at the top of the 18 to win any second balls 5. Finishing with first touch 6. Finishing with heading

FC Edmonton Academy Game Model Transition to Defend

MacroPrinciple To prevent our opposition from progressing the ball by pressing the space and taking away passing channels to win it back, or to get organized behind the ball. Objective: When losing possession, we want to pressure the ball immediately and close down all spaces to eliminate forward passing options to win it back in 6 seconds, thus taking advantage of our opponents offensive disorganization. If we fail to do this, we must get behind the ball and organize our own defending shape as soon as possible. Sub-‐Principles: 1. A mindset/mental attitude to change from offense to defense. (Win it back in 6 seconds) At any moment players must be able to immediately switch on to defending, anywhere on the pitch. Players must be capable of immediately pressuring the opponent on the ball, as well as any opposition players close to the ball. Players need to react together in a coordinated effort to press the ball, thus taking away the oppositions ability to play forward, through the central channels. Sub-‐sub-‐principles: 1. From possession loss, players immediately around the ball must close down space 2. Mentality of every player to look to press ball, or close in to create our defensive block 3. Tackling technique 4. Understanding when to continue to press vs delay and getting organized behind the ball 5. Close passing channels 2. The team must get compact in width and depth. Organized behind the ball and close our lines. Every player has a defensive responsibility to get behind the ball and compact. We also want to ensure that we create depth lines so that players have support behind them. As we get behind the ball, we want to ensure that we have balance between our lines, and not allow large spaces to open up between them. Sub-‐sub-‐principles: 1. Balance between our lines 2. Balanced in our defensive block around the ball 3. Players prepared to step into channels to defend/press opposition who has jumped to receive between our lines 4. Creating defensive triangles (pressure, cover) 5. Defending in an underload situation

3. Do not get beaten 1v1, keep the opposition in front of you Every player has a responsibility to defend, and must be proficient in 1v1 defending. Losing 1v1 duels puts the team in jeopardy. Sub-‐sub-‐principles: 1. 1v1 individual defending 2. Delay 3. Pressing/stepping to the ball to get attackers head down 4. Dictate the opposition’s direction 4. Force the opposition to play out wide (when unable to win it immediately) We want our team to compact the interior of our teams defensive block, and force our opposition to play outside. This will ensure we do not get exposed when pressing the ball centrally, and will also force our opposition to play back or laterally. Sub-‐sub-‐principles: 1. 1v1 defending technique 2. Force the opposition to one side or the other with approach to ball carrier 3. Compact inside to encourage opposition to play wide 4. Starting positions to encourage keeper to play to either flank 5. Pressing the ball when out wide, avoid further play straight down the flank 5. Prevent penetrations behind the last line of defense Ensure the opposition is unable to penetrate past the back line. Give priority to depth and do not attempt to play offside when opposition is looking to quickly counter. Sub-‐sub-‐principles: 1. No pressure on the ball carrier, the back line must drop 2. Back line to drop with runners, unless off-‐side is obvious 3. Fullbacks tucked in to avoid inside shoulder runs 4. Pressure from one defender with other three tucking inside to provide cover 5. Keeper to initially play as a sweeper to collect long balls over the top

FC Edmonton Academy Game Model Defensive Organization

MacroPrinciple An organized zonal defensive block that will continue to press the ball to limit the opponents time and space. **Note: Our defending pressure on the ball will stem from having numbers already in that area based on our possession based game. Objective: To dictate the direction of, and press the opposition to force them into mistakes to win the ball back. 1st Defensive Phase: Opponents build-‐out Phase (Zones 4 and 3) Sub-‐Principles: 1. Defending from ball possession mentality, which will have us in a position to press the ball. Our offensive organization and ball possession mentality will more times than not leave us in a position to immediately press the ball on a loss of possession. Ball possession in our situation can also be used as a defensive strategy based on outnumbering the opposition around the ball. Sub-‐sub-‐principles: 1. Team gets their reference from our initial ball pressure to build our defensive block 2. Players around the ball ready to switch focus to press to win the ball 3. Team defensive block steps/shifts with the ball. 4. Collective mindset to get compact in width and depth and keep shape 2. Force the opposition to play long to prevent them from building out of the back Whenever the ball is in the keeper’s feet or hands, our team will step forward, with our forwards stepping to their defenders and mids stepping to their mids. We want to encourage our opposition to play long and not let them build out with controlled possession. Sub-‐sub-‐principles: 1. Compact central block 2. Forwards pushed up to be in a position to press any of the oppositions back line 3. Back line initially steps to keep balance, but must be ready to drop to win their aerial battles 4. Defensive heading technique 5. Central mids prepared to win second balls

3. Do not allow the opposition to play through the interior of our defensive block We want to discourage our opponent from playing through our central midfield, and force them to play out wide where their play becomes more predictable. If they do play into the middle of defensive block, we must close space quickly to prevent them from turning. Sub-‐sub-‐principles: 1. Compact central block 2. Principles of pressure and cover and movement associated from transition to either one (Diagonal movements) 3. Compact defensive lines 4. Wingers dropped off and tucked in 5. Outnumber the opposition around the ball 6. 1v1 defending technique 7. Players continuing to step to the ball to take away time and space 8. Taking away passing channels/lines 4. Intense pressure when the ball is in one of widest lateral channels. When the ball is on the flank, we want to shift to ball side, create numerical superiority around the ball, and aggressively press to win it back. Sub-‐sub-‐principles: 1. Wingers first behind the ball, then stepping to press the ball 2. Angle of approach to pressure to remove the outside line 3. Inside support to take away interior passing lines 4. 1v1 defending 5. High/Medium Block As mentioned with the Sub-‐principle of forcing the opposition to play deep from their keeper, we will start off with a medium-‐high block. We want to press high on throw-‐ins and keep a high block when we have a loss of possession in zones 3 and 4. Sub-‐sub-‐principles: 1. Team steps towards the ball together, keep our balance. 2. Mentality to aggressively press forward on opposition throw-‐ins 3. Back line prepared to drop off to defend long balls over the the top 4. Recovery runs if opposition breaks our high block


2nd Defensive Phase: Opponents Creative Phase (Zones 3 and 2) Sub-‐Principles: 1. Make the field as small as possible We want players to get compact, narrowing the field and closing our lines. The balance between our lines also tighter. It is also important to ensure that our players are organized on different lines deep and wide to offer support to the player pressing the opposition ball carrier. When we compact the field, we will also look to take away passing lines. Sub-‐sub-‐principles: 1. Spatial concept relative to the ball 2. Central block defending to close all spaces and force opposition wide or back 2. Press to win the ball back Players must have the mentality to continue to step to the ball, once we have our defensive block set. As we step, we must do so as a team, while retaining our shape. Sub-‐sub-‐principles 1. Individual defending and timing on winning a tackle 2. Force the opposition to play wide or back 3. Movement as a team to shift or step with the ball. Keep balance 4. Removing central passing channels 3. Do not let the opposition play through the middle of our defensive block. Force them to the outside. We want to avoid letting our opposition keep possession of the ball, and preventing them from playing through our central block will prevent them from easily retaining the ball. Even when defending we want to dictate where the opposition can play and will direct them to either flank, where we will aggressively press to win the ball back. Sub-‐sub-‐principles: 1. Compact central block with wingers tucked in 2. Once ball is on one side, can our central forward prevent our opposition from playing the switch through the back four 3. Continue to force the opposition to play up the line to their outside mid/winger. At this point we step to win it, in our hotzone (widest lateral channel just on their side of half) 4. 1v1, 2v2, 3v3 defending 4. If unable to press early, drop off with a view to setting up the counter attack. When it is not on to press early, the team will drop off to half field pressure and look to direct the opposition to either flank, where we can win the ball and launch our own counter attack. When the ball gets wide or into our hot-‐zone, we want to outnumber our opposition around the ball. Sub-‐sub-‐principles: 1. Defensive block drops off, central striker at top of the center D 2. Force opposition out wide to our hotzone 3. When opposition plays into hotzone, an aggressive press to win it back

5. Move up-‐field with the ball as we force the opposition to play towards their own goal When we force our opponents to play negatively, we want to push our defensive block forward as the ball travels. Sub-‐sub-‐principles: 1. Team must move forward as a balanced defending block 2. Back line must recognize whether or not there is pressure on the ball carrier; No pressure and they must be prepared to drop to avoid being beaten over top Pressure and we can hold or continue to step forwar


3rd Defensive Phase: Opponents Finishing Phase (Zones 2 into 1) Sub-‐Principles: 1. Pressure the ball carrier while ensuring covering players in behind. When one of our central defending steps to pressure an opponent ball carrier, the other three defenders must tuck in behind to offer cover. The same applies when one of the center backs steps forward to win an aerial duel. Sub-‐sub-‐principles 1. 1v1 Defending technique 2. Immediate pressure on the ball carrier 3. Close down all spaces around the ball carrier to eliminate passing lines 4. As pressuring player steps to the ball, the others must get in behind and squeeze to provide cover 2. Back line must protect the space in behind Our back line must be aware of the opposition forwards runs into the space in behind them. Our defenders must prioritize that space to avoid both the penetrating run and pass. Sub-‐sub-‐principles: 1. Tracking runners 2. Preventing opposition from beating Outside backs on inside shoulder 3. Pressure, Cover, Balance 4. Marking goal side, ball side 5. Pressure on the ball carrier to prevent opposition time to recognize penetrating

runs 3. Keep opponent out of Zone 14 We want to take away the passing channels, and our opponents ability to possess the ball in Zone 14. Immediately pressurize any pass into this area and force our opposition to play the ball wide. Sub-‐sub-‐principles:

1. Outnumber opposition in Zone 14 to force opposition to play wide 2. Occupy spaces early 3. Take away passing lines 4. Immediate pressure on the ball carrier

4. To defend against the cross by occupying the key finishing areas first Our defenders must make early recovery runs to occupy the key finishing zones (near post, central goal, and far post) to prevent the opposition from beating us into those positions. Sub-‐sub-‐principles: 1. Outside backs pressing to prevent crosses 2. Defensive blocks 3. 1st zonal defender at near post 4. Man-‐marking on the proper side, ball side and goal side 5. Defensive clearances, heading technique 6. Keeper to come to collect the cross 7. 1v1 defending from outside backs to prevent ball carrier from dribbling inside 5. Must have the attitude to win second balls. Players must be prepared to deal with second balls off of opposition crosses or balls flighted into our 18 yard box to prevent them from gaining second chances. There has to be a mindset to win any second ball. Sub-‐sub-‐principles: 1. Central midfield players in position to challenge for second balls, top of 18 2. Recovery runs to top of 18 3. Defensive heading 4. Defensive block to step forward as we clear the ball

FC Edmonton Academy Game Model Transition to Offense

MacroPrinciple To take advantage of our opponents defensive disorganization to counter attack quickly or retain possession if not on play forward. Objective: To retain possession of the ball by playing it safely away from the pressure of where it was recovered. We will try to take advantage of our oppositions momentary disorganization by looking to counter deep, but not at the risk of losing possession. Sub-‐Principles: 1. Possession retention The player who wins possession must look to make the safest pass possible to allow our team to retain possession. Sub-‐sub-‐principles: 1. Immediate support for our player on the ball 2. Range and type of passing; short, vertical, long diagonal, etc 3. Individual technical ability to shield 4. Dispersal once we have positive possession (players in 5 lateral channels) 2. Look to penetrate into the spaces behind the opposition’s last line of defense. If it is on to play in behind the oppositions last line of defense, without risking possession loss, then we will play the quick counter. This can be played from our first or second pass after a possession regain. Sub-‐sub-‐principles: 1. Wingers looking to break the line with angled runs inside 2. Role of the striker to either break the line or show for the ball 3. Attacking mids, if the striker shows for the ball, can one attacking mid break the line 4. long diagonal and vertical passes 5. Support from behind, once a long pass has been played forward 3. Team must immediately recreate our balanced attacking team shape with players dispersing to occupy all five lateral channels. Once we have made our first pass to retain possession, players must disperse to create our width and depth based on the sub-‐principles of our offensive organization Sub-‐sub-‐principles: 1. Wingers and Outside Backs playing in two different lateral channels 2. Wingers pushing on 3. Central mids supporting each other on three separate lines (offset triangle) 4. Central forward gives us initial depth

4. Can we get the ball into our central midfield (central lateral channels) Once we have re-‐established possession, we want to get the ball into our central channel and in particular our attacking mid or central forward (10 and 9). Once we have done this, we will be looking for our wingers to be breaking the line. Sub-‐sub-‐principles: 1. Central midfield playing in an offset triangle, on three different lines. 2. Look to create overloads in the central mid 3. Speed of play 4. Short to medium range passing 5. First touch away from pressure or to open up 6. Whenever a winger comes inside and draws in the opposition outside back, our Outside backs need to take the space down the flank 5. Look to exploit the weak side If ball possession is regained on one side of the pitch we want to exploit the weak side. We can find either the winger holding width, or have the winger drive inside to draw the opposition with him while we play in an advancing outside back from our team. This situation also calls for the wingers to break the line if a quick counter attack is on. Sub-‐sub-‐principles: 1. Long diagonal pass 2. Movement between our Winger and Outside back 3. First touch; down the line, or inside 4. Ability to cross 5. Diagonal penetrating runs

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FC Edmonton Academy Game Model with subsubprinciplesgrowingthegame.ca/wp/wp-content/.../FC-Edmonton-Academy-Game-… · ! 3.!Keep!the!ball!movingto!constantly!shift!the!opposition’sdefensive!block!!