ELITE GAME STRATEGIES Toni Cumpston

AHL - VIPERS MATCH STRATEGIES Systems

Standard System This is the standard system played in Australia 5:3:2:1 All players understand the basic way the positions should be played; there will be variations through their exposure to different teams and coaches. Simple philosophy: –3 strikers who give you width and depth in attack –2 midfielders who are the link between defense and attack –3 half backs who support attack and assist in transition from deep defense, also play integral part of attacking play, particularly the RH & CHB –2 fullbacks who are predominantly defenders –Goal keeper who stops ball going in the net

PLAYING STRUCTURE Standard System GK RS CS LS FB CH RH LH IR FB IL

Diamond midfield The main difference between this system and the standard system is that the central striker comes back behind the outside strikers and acts as a link between the striker and midfield lines. This system gives us more players in the middle of the pitch through which to direct the play. Simple philosophy: –2 strikers who give you width and depth in attack –4 midfielders who are the link between defense and attack –2 half backs who support attack and assist in transition from deep defense, provide width on outlet plays and offer support on their side of the pitch to all attacking moves –2 fullbacks who are predominantly defenders –Goal keeper who stops ball going in the net

PLAYING STRUCTURE GK S CF S RM LM CH RH LH LB RB Diamond midfield

Double Centre Half: 4 Defenders This systems enables us to have an extra player through the midfield similarly to the diamond midfield structure, the main difference is the extra midfielder is coming from behind. Playing philosophy: –2 strikers who give you width and depth in attack –2 midfielders who push up in attack to make a front four and who come back to support defense and be outlets –2 centre halfbacks who hold the centre of the ground off-set from the midfielders, they are the link from defense to attack –2 half backs who support attack and assist in transition from deep defense, provide width on outlet plays and offer support on their side of the pitch to all attacking moves –2 defenders whose main role is defense –Goal keeper who stops ball going in the net

PLAYING STRUCTURE Double centre half: 4 defenders GK S MF S CH RH LH LB RB

Double Centre Half: 3 Defenders This systems enables us to have an extra player through the midfield as well as maintain the three strikers in the front line. Playing philosophy: –3 strikers who give you width and depth in attack –2 midfielders who push up in attack to make a front five for added numbers in attack and who come back to support defense and be outlets –2 centre halfbacks who hold the centre of the ground off-set from the midfielders, they are the link from defense to attack –3 defenders whose main role is as defenders but who offer support to attack and assist in transition from deep defense. Two outside defenders provide width on outlet plays on the side of the ball. – Goal keeper who stops ball going in the net

PLAYING STRUCTURE Double centre half:3 defenders GK S MF S CH D D S D

AHL - VIPERS MATCH STRATEGIES Transferring play around the back

RS CS LS IR IL RH LH GK FB CHB Transfer around the back Standard system Square full-backs with wing halves pushing high and wide. This enables our mid-fielders to get in behind theirs to receive the ball.

RS CS LS IR IL RH LH GK FB CHB Transfer around the back Diamond Midfield Square full-backs. Wing halves wide. CHB starting behind the ball so they are mobile on receipt of pass. M/f starting square with hit & lead fwd to receive mobile. CF holds centre of pitch moving fwd into space

S CH S M M RHLH GK FB CH Transfer around the back Double centre half Square full-backs. Wing halves wide. CHB’s starting behind the ball so they are mobile on receipt of pass. M/f starting square with hit & lead fwd to receive mobile.

S CH S M M RHLH GK FB CH Transfer around the back Double centre half Square full-backs. Wing halves wide. CHB’s starting behind the ball so they are mobile on receipt of pass. M/f starting square with hit & lead fwd to receive mobile.

RS CS LS IR IL RH LH GK FB CHB Transfer around the back Staggered full backs Each time someone recieves the ball they should have multiple options to safely pass – opposition can’t cover them all.

AHL - VIPERS MATCH STRATEGIES Defending free hits around the circle

Critical scoring area Defense Il Cf Ir Rh Gk Lh Rb Lb Ch Protect critical scoring area. Always have a trapper who is on a direct line from the free hit to the centre of the goal. Other defenders marking opposition forwards from the side.

AHL - VIPERS MATCH STRATEGIES Side line free hits

RS CS LS IR IL RH LH GK FB CHB Side line free hits Standard system Square full-backs with wing halves pushing high and wide. This enables our mid-fielders to get in behind theirs to receive the ball.

RS CS LS IR IL RH LH GK FB CHB Side line free hits Diamond Midfield CHB starting behind the ball so they are mobile on receipt of pass. M/f starting square with hit & lead fwd to receive mobile. CF holds centre of pitch moving fwd into space

S CH S M M RHLH GK FB CH Side line free hits Double centre half Centre halves starting behind the ball so they are mobile on receipt of pass. Midfielder starting square with hit & leading fwd to receive mobile.

AHL - VIPERS MATCH STRATEGIES Attacking circle free hits

Il Cf Ir Rh Gk Lh Rb Lb Ch Player standing over the ball leads forward to set screen to be hit through looking for a deflection.

Attacking circle free hits Il Cf Ir Rh Gk Lh Rb Lb Ch Player to the left of hit takes free and passes to player starting over the ball who has led right for goal shot.

Attacking circle free hits Il Cf Ir Rh Gk Lh Rb Lb Ch Player on ball leads R, player from L comes to take free dummies over top and reverse passes to late overlapping FB or LHB.

AHL - VIPERS MATCH STRATEGIES Set Plays – PC defense

PC Defense 2:2 => 1:3

PC Defense 2:2 => 2:2

PC Defense 2:2 => 1:3 reverse

PC Defense 1:3 => 1:3

PC Defense 1:3 => 2:2

PC Defense 1:3 => 1:3 reverse

AHL - VIPERS MATCH STRATEGIES Set Plays – PC attack

PC ATTACK Most of the standard variations aiming to exploit limited numbers of defenders. Push out 1.5seconds Trap fluid, be able to pass both ways from bunt – handle right Hit/Slap for direct shot or variations Drag flick for direct shot or variations

AHL - VIPERS MATCH STRATEGIES Press Variations

Man on Man press We played this press when playing a 3:2:2:3:1 system This enabled our three defenders to mark their three strikers, our two centre half backs to mark their inside forwards, leaving our two insides and three strikers to mark their defenders and have a player free to pressure the ball carrier. The idea behind the press is to place substantial pressure on the outletting from the opposition, no easy pass out of defense. Play against a team that looks to stretch you when coming out of the back by using their wing halves as strategic outlets.

Outlet Control Man on Man = Press 6 GK RS CS LS CH RH LH IR S GK RB LB RH LH IL IR RS LS CS

Psycho Press We use this predominantly against opposition who have fullbacks that like to run the ball out and/or hit long to their players. We use one striker to chase the ball regardless of where it goes; the rest of our team play about 5 yard’s behind the play looking for intercepts.

Outlet Control Psycho Press = Press 7 GK RS CS LS IR IL CH RH LH LB RB

Fall Away The idea of this press is to start about 10 yard’s back from the free hit and then continue to re-adjust to the agreed point where you press together as a unit. You can fall away to the half line or any agreed point on the field, we often use midway between 25 & half line in opposition defensive half. You can also elect to fall away to an agreed point immediately, a lot of the international men’s team elect to do this. We often will use a fall away when we are playing against a weaker side who have all their players back in defense. By enabling them to bring the ball out to about midway it gives us plenty of room on the counter attack. We also use this system against teams that are getting in behind our front line too easily. Another useful time to use this press is when the opposition team have a good deliverer of the ball and can hit through lines

Outlet Control Fall away = Press 8 GK RS CS LS IR IL CH RH LH LB RB Once we get to the agreed area we press!!!

Full Press The idea of this press is to allow the opposition to get to one side of the pitch and then close down any option they have of bringing the ball out other than hitting through lines – our defense are in front of opposition to intercept these balls, or transferring very deep in risky situations. Players set up as normal then once the ball is on a side of the pitch we remove the ability to transfer. Opposition with defenders unable to hit the ball out firmly & accurately other than from central defenders are good teams to use this press against.

Outlet Control Full Press = Press 9 GK RS CS LS IR IL CH RH LH LB RB LS CS RS IR CH RH LH LB RB IL

INTERNATIONAL TEAM STRUCTURES

Australia

PLAYING STRUCTURE AUSTRALIA ATTACKING FORMATION 2:3:2:3:1 GK S M S CD SC RD LD M SC M

PLAYING STRUCTURE AUSTRALIA DEFENSIVE FORMATION 3:3:3:1:1 GK S M S SC RD LD M CD M

Playing Structure Australia ROTATION SYSTEM All playing lines are rotated evenly through-out each game. Frank works out an interchange sheet that gives all players in each line an equal amount of time. If he needs to make changes to this due to injury or poor form then that specific line only will be amended. 3 Strikers, 4 midfielders, 3 screens, 4 defenders and 2 goal keepers On the recent tour to USA we used only one GK per match and had an extra player to rotate in. This player was used sparingly and was advised of this prior to the match. For example they might have been advised they would only be playing 7minutes per half. This would be included in the interchange sheet.

INTERNATIONAL TEAM STRUCTURES Netherlands

PLAYING STRUCTURE NETHERLANDS Dutch Standard System when coming out of defense 3:3:4:1 GK S S S M M D D M D M

PLAYING STRUCTURE NETHERLANDS Dutch System when in possession 3:3:1:3:1 GK S S S MM D D M D M

PLAYING STRUCTURE NETHERLANDS Dutch System when opposition have possession in deep defense 3:3:1:3:1 GK S S S M M D D M D M

INTERNATIONAL TEAM STRUCTURES Argentina

PLAYING STRUCTURE ARGENTINA Argentina Standard System 3:2:3:2:1 GK RS CS LS FB CH RH LH IR FB IL

INTERNATIONAL TEAM STRUCTURES China 2003

PLAYING STRUCTURE CHINA 2003 System 3:3:1:3:1 GK S S S SW M D D M D M NOTE SW will be in front or behind back 3 depending on where ball is on pitch

PLAYING STRUCTURE CHINA 2003 System 2:2:2:1:3:1 GK S AM S SW DM D D D AM NOTE SW will be in front or behind back 3 depending on where ball is on pitch

PLAYING STRUCTURE CHINA 2003 System 1:2:3:1:3:1 GK AM S D SW M D M D M NOTE SW will be in front or behind back 3 depending on where ball is on pitch

INTERNATIONAL TEAM STRUCTURES World Cup Qualifiers Rome 2006

PLAYING STRUCTURE - JAPAN Japan Standard System 3:3:3:1:1 GK S S S D M D D M SW M

PLAYING STRUCTURE - CHINA China Standard System 3:3:3:1:1 GK S S S D M D D M SW M

PLAYING STRUCTURE - KOREA Korea Standard System 3:3:4:1 GK S S S D M D D M D M

PLAYING STRUCTURE - USA USA Standard System 5:3:2:1 GK RS CS LS FB CH RH LH IR FB IL

PLAYING STRUCTURE - ENGLAND England Standard System 3:2:1:4:1 GK RS CS LS FB CH RH LH IR FB IL

KEY SKILLS State and National requirements

Key Skills ATHLETICISM All players need to be fit – midfielders & half backs need to run around level 12 on the beep test. All other positions should be around this as well, anything less that 10 is unacceptable. Players need to be strong on the ball Speed is a huge asset, with and without the ball Agility and change of pace are critical in today’s game SKILLS Basic skills Elimination skills, ball control in congestion The ability to carry the ball at pace on your stick Tackling in the various situations on the field Ability to run though lines as well as pass through lines Set play skills Goal scoring ability