There are many successful playing styles in world soccer

Defensive Playing Style of Re-Active Playing Style

Allow the opponent to have a lot of ball possession

• Own team focusses on compact defending (D)• Shutting down spaces• Keeping the defensive shape• Confront opponent physically

• Quick counter attack when the opponent loses the ball (D à A)

• No (or almost) offensive participation of defenders when attacking (A)

• Priority on defensive shape: creating overload between ball and goal when transitioning defensively) (A à D)

• Focus on offensive set plays to create chances / score goals (A)

Offensive Playing Style of Pro-Active Playing Style

Strive towards maximum ball possession

• Own team focusses on High (and Energetic) Pressing (D)• Put the opponent immediately under pressure when losing the ball (AàD)• Offensive participation of midfielders and defenders (A)• Progressive ball possession with the aim on not losing the ball (DàA)• Focus on anticipation – interception - by defenders (D)

Player Development

Reactive Pro-Active

Attacking

Transition attacking to defending

Defending

Transition defending to attacking

Attacking

Transition attacking to defending

Defending

Transition defending to attacking

Key Qualities are best developed in a Pro-Active Style of Play

Style of Play: Pro-Active

The offensive playing style can be applied in various waysAttacking

Possession-based Direct Play

Dominating by controlling progressive possession

Putting the opponent under pressure by long passes towards the strikers as quickly as

possible or when the opponent presses you

Patience in building-up – create (find pockets) Aerial and physical power to create scoring opportunities

Break down compact defences with individual skills and creative combination play ‘Long ball – second ball’ approach

Possession-based Direct Play

Style of Play: Pro-ACtive

The offensive playing style can be applied in various waysDefending

Direct Opponent Oriented Ball Progression OrientedHigh Press when numerical dominance or

equality of numbers High press when positional dominance

Man-marking in midfield Zonal defense in midfield (screening)

Press the opponent when receiving the ball Intercept ball before reaching direct opponent

One or more target players ready to transition (fast)

Direct Opponent Ball Progression

Pressing

Definition

The process of reducing time and space for the opponent to make and execute a decision, with the aim to regain the ball

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High Press

OFFENSIVE THIRD

MIDDLE THIRD

DEFENSIVE THIRD

Game Situation: Build Up from GK

• All players are in middle third and offensivethird

• Attacking players are in the offensive third

• All players from the own team are on theopponents half

High Press: Defensive Shape

• Step 1: Create Defensive Shape (defensive block):• Initial positions (defensive position play) in relation to the offensive position play of the

opponent. • U.S. Soccer Roadmap:

• Make it compact (1) • Keep it compact (2)

Tactical Situation: Goal kick goalkeeper of opponent- Height of the block (first player or line) - Length of the block (last player or line)- Width of the block- Shape of the block- Position of the Goalkeeper behind the block- Positions of the player in the block (overload vs 1v1) - Distances between players- Body shape of the players- Adaptation based on ballcirculation (timing + run)- Defensive runs in the block

High Press: Defensive Shape

• Step 1: Create Defensive Shape (defensive block):• Initial positions (defensive position play) in relation to the offensive position play of

the opponent. • U.S. Soccer Roadmap:

• Make it compact (1) • Keep it compact (2)

Tactical Situation: 4 choices- Positional dominance- Individual dominance- Numerical dominance- Mix of the above

High Press: Defensive Shape

• Step 2: Identify the pressing triggers• Movement (defensive position play) of the players in the defensive shape in relation

to the ball circulation of the opponent. • U.S. Soccer Roadmap:

• Pressure the ball immediately after losing it, using players closest to the situation (AàD - 1)

• Always press in the identified situations (A - 4)

Identified Situations: … choices- Pass (quality of the pass)- Specific Player- Numerical dominance- Bad control- ….

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High Press

OFFENSIVE THIRD

MIDDLE THIRD

DEFENSIVE THIRD

Coaching Points

• Starting Position

• Trigger

• Run: Curve

• Run: Intensity

• Synchronization