General Principles High Pressure – First 10 of the halves and adjust as needed. We are ok with testing opponents with long balls in first ten minutes before settling to control game. Organized and compact in defense Must have defenders who love to defend Creative and explosive in attack Must have players who are creative and confident Dictate the pace of play…pressing, quick through the run-of-play, quick throws (behind the defense straight to goal when on), quick set pieces in midfield etc. Always receive ball “face up / open up”, everywhere on the field Always communicate WEST FORSYTH TITAN TRADITION How We Play

General Defensive Principles Collective Defending Active and aggressive defending, anticipation Cover for each other Every defender needs 45 degree coverage OB’s must step to opponents OM’s, and they must step quickly No balls bounce in the back…attack the ball, leave nothing to chance Playing out of the back Safety, live to play another play…in other words, know when to give it a ride Be patient when defending the counter CB’s keep play in front of you Communicate

WEST FORSYTH TITAN TRADITION How We Play General Attacking Principles Pick on defenders Be a moving target…never kill the ball Run off the ball, even a bad run is better than no run Want the ball Change of pace When going 1v1, slow down to set your defender up Forwards must have as much effort, concentration, and pride holding the ball as they do when going to goal. Shoot Low Hard and on Frame

Examples of Play

4-3-3 Back line “Group defending” Midfielders “Control and Motors” Forwards “Playmakers” GK LB LCBRCB T AM RB LS DM RS DM 4-3-3

GK LB LCBRCB T AM RB LS DM RS DM Back Line Tight Unit As one moves, all move Including GK Group defending Always have support Win everything in the air Strong tackles… body in front, not simply throwing a leg.

GK LB LCBRCB T AM RB LS DM RS DM Back Five Basic Shifts Right or Left OB’s to OM’s Essential to eliminate OM’s with our OB’s Anticipate, close as the ball travels, and get there as the ball gets there Nike Swoosh Give away weak-side Central penetration Recovery GK Attack

GK LB LCBRCB T AM RB LS DM RS DM Back Five Together 2 Basic Shifts Right or Left OB’s to OM’s Nike Swoosh Give away weak-side Central penetration Recovery GK Attack

GK LB LCBRCB T AM RB LS DM RS DM Back Five Together 2 Basic Shifts Right or Left Central penetration Step, drop, compact Give away flanks Recovery GK Attack

GK LB LCB RCB T AM RB LS DM RS DM Back Five Together 2 Basic Shifts Recovery Straight pass GK Attack RS

GK LB LCB RCB T AM RB LS DM RS DM Back Five Together 2 Basic Shifts Recovery Dribble GK Attack RS

GK LB LCBRCB T AM RB LS DM RS DM Back Five Together 2 Basic Shifts Recovery GK Stay attached Control whole box Attack RS

GK LB LCBRCB T AM RB LS DM RS DM Back Five Together 3 Basic Shifts Recovery GK Attack Overlap Support

GK LB LCBRCB T AM RB LS DM RS DM Back Five Together 3 Basic Shifts Recovery GK Attack Overlap Support

GK LB LCBRCB T AM RB LS DM RS DM Shape Stay connected Always know where others are Chatter Eyes / Swivel Leave the flanks for our OB’s to defend 3 v2 or 3v3 Recognize and organize accordingly DM – Game in front of you AM – Back to goal Midfield 4-3-3

GK LB LCBRCB T AM RB LS DM RS DM Shape Defensive responsibilities Attacking Attacking Three 4-3-3

GK LB LCBRCB T AM RB LS DM RS DM Shape Play on two lines Do not play on rails Defensive responsibilities Attacking Attacking Three 4-3-3

GK LB LCBRCB T AM RB LS DM RS DM Shape Defensive responsibilities Put pressure on backs – especially when turned Chase balls into corners, etc. Double back Sheppard play / cut field in half Attacking Attacking Three 4-3-3

GK LB LCBRCB T AM RB LS DM RS DM Shape Defensive responsibilities Outside forwards defend with ball on your side of field. Put pressure on backs Chase balls into corners, etc. Double back Sheppard play / cut field in half Attacking Attacking Three 4-3-3

GK LB LCBRCB T AM RB LS DM RS DM Shape Defensive responsibilities Minimal…use your energy in attack Put pressure on backs Chase balls into corners, etc. Double back Sheppard play / cut field in half Attacking Attacking Three 4-3-3

GK LB LCBRCB T AM RB LS DM RS DM Shape Defensive responsibilities Minimal…use your energy in attack Put pressure on backs Chase balls into corners, etc. Double back Sheppard play / cut field in half Attacking Attacking Three 4-3-3

GK LB LCBRCB T AM RB LS DM RS DM Shape Defensive responsibilities Minimal…use your energy in attack Put pressure on backs Chase balls into corners, etc. Double back Sheppard play / cut field in half Attacking Attacking Three 4-3-3

GK LB LCBRCB T AM RB LS DM RS DM Shape Defensive responsibilities Attacking When we win the ball…all three “show up” Use your energy in the attack Get the ball wide and play Stay connected, backside forward tries to split between OB/CB Dynamic attack will be 2 nd nature Overload Attacking Three 4-3-3

GK LB LCBRCB T AM RB LS DM RS DM Shape Defensive responsibilities Attacking When we win the ball…all three “show up” Use your energy in the attack Overload Attacking Three 4-3-3

GK LB LCBRCB T AM RB LS DM RS DM Shape Defensive responsibilities Attacking Overload Attacking Three 4-3-3

GK LB LCBRCB T AM RB LS DM RS DM advantages vs v2 in middle of park Unguarded player

GK LB LCBRCB T AM RB LS DM RS DM advantages vs neutral in middle of park Unguarded Player 3v3 in attacking third

GK LB LCBRCB T AM RB LS DM RS DM advantages Easy adjustments Shape of midfield Compact and limits opportunities – disrupts opponents Target Works – One or two others join

GK LB LCBRCB T AM RB LS DM RS DM REVIEW OF KEYS Forwards must be mobile OB’s eliminate OM’s Collective Defending Strength through middle.

GK LB LCBRCB T AM RB LS AM RS DM Common Shifts in Game We will spend a good amount of our games with a holding pushing up to the AM level to support forwards and make penetrating runs. Note OBs push up to press higher up the field. We will score some goals… no… a ton of goals. That said, we are more vulnerable to a counterattack or long ball. Blue areas are dangerous areas… CB communication and OB covering/CB stepping to ball in blue area is key.

Corner Number The first corner will be a #1 or #2. If two defenders step, then a #2. If 1 defender or no defenders step, it will be a #1. Later in game we will mix in a #3 if it looks favorable. #4 will be introduced later in season.