- Keeper (Marshall, Weston, Gavin)
- Field General: Direct defense positioning.
- Decision-maker: Play from the back or clear the ball based on opponent position.
- Goal Kicks
- Left Center Back (Adrian, Gavin)
- Initiate plays from the back.
- Stay back during attacking phase.
- Defend Your Zone.
- Right Center Back (Weston, Sijmon)
- Initiate plays from the back.
- Move up near mid-field when we are attacking.
- Defend Your Zone.
- Left Wide Midfielder (Hrant, Marshall)
- Control the left side of the field.
- Defend: Man-on-man against striker attacks from the left. Prevent crosses to center.
- Be involved in every attack: Cross to the center or score from the left.
- This is a full field position. Lots of running.
- Defensive Midfielder (Eric, Atti)
- Control the center on defense from just in front of our defenders;
- Move up past mid-field to support attacks on offense.
- Be near mid-field to intercept goalie kicks.
- Defend: Slow down striker attacks to give everyone else time to get back (super important).
- Attacking Midfielder (Alejandro, Marshall)
- Control the center of the field on offense; support on defense.
- Be involved in every attack: Facilitate plays with central passes and take shots.
- Be near mid-field to intercept goalie kicks.
- Defend: Slow down striker attacks to give everyone else time to get back (super important).
- Right Wide Midfielder (Eduardo, Eric)
- Control the right side of the field.
- Defend: Man-on-man against striker attacks from the right. Prevent crosses to center.
- Attack: Cross to the center or score from the right.
- PRESS to recover possession immediately when their goalie has the ball.
- This is a full field position. Lots of running.
- Striker (Owen, Eduardo)
- Main attacker: Receive balls crossed to the center.
- PRESS to recover possession immediately when their goalie has the ball.
- Take corner kicks and penalties.
- Kick-off by passing directly back to Attacking Midfielder (#6 position.)
Key Points to Remember:
- Be Loud: Talk and tell your teammates what you need or how you can help. “On your left!” “Man on!”
- Pressure: When the ball is in their end of the field, we pressure them until we get it back. The striker leads this effort.
- Rebounds: Always run in for a follow-up shot, whether you took the shot or not. Assume every shot is a miss and needs a rebound shot.
- Passing: Prioritize passing to open spaces. Wear them down with our passing.
- Positioning: Be mobile. Get to open spaces to give your teammate passing options.
- Defense: One actively attacks the ball, others block passing lanes. Cut off their passing options by getting in between opponents.
- Throw-ins: Thrown down the sideline and over opponents. Be down field to receive.
- Defending Throw-ins: Never be thrown over. Defend from behind opponent.
- Free Kicks: Keep it simple. Pass it to someone near you who is easily open.
- Transition and Pressing: Be fast. Disrupt opponent’s organization.
- Ball Control: Don’t dribble into oncoming defenders if there is no pressure on you. Stop the ball and take a breath. Then pass or attack.
- Enjoyment: Most importantly, have fun!
