Football/Soccer Session (Advanced): Team Tactics - Style of Play

System

System: 1-4-2-3-1

Attacking

Style of Play:

- Team Attacking

* Team shape will shift as we build-up in our defensive half, pushing into the midfield third.

* Utilizing as much space as the defense allows (vertically), we will also stretch them out horizontally.

* Movement off of the ball is critical - and needs to be done early

* Our #6 will drop between the #4 and #5 creating essentially a back-three

* Our #2 and #3 will push up into the midfield third, giving us maximum width and more numbers going forward in possession.

* Our #8 and #10 are the work horses of the attack.

- Our three center midfielders are interchangeable throughout the match

- One must hold, one must be box to box, one must penetrate off the forwards back side.

* Our #7 and #11 will stretch the field high and wide for us.

* Our #9 will be an extension of our midfielders - helping us keep possession, meanwhile stretching the field.

* Possession-oriented

- Speed of play: Up-tempo - 2 touch

- Possess in the attacking half/attacking third

* Energy

- Attack with pace - on and off of the ball

* Attacking mindset must be dangerous

- Counter attack must be precise (ex. the oppositions left back makes an overlapping run, and we win the ball back, exploit the open space immediately once we've gained possession - find our right wing or player occupying their left backs space)

- Movement off the ball - checking to receive, peeling off to create passing lanes, making runs into open space.

- Penetrate with a purpose - find a pass that beats the most amount of defenders that creates the best scoring opportunity.