Gulf Coast United Curriculum

Technical and Tactical Development

Systems of Play

U-14 System

4-3-3 (fluid mid + fluid for with some width)

The major challenges with these ages and this system of play is to maintain the integrity of our philosophy of play and a system that vertically integrates into the next age grouping. However, vital is to adjust for the physical abilities of younger players playing and the same size fields as adults/ older youth players. The physical demands of the game cannot be met by a 12 year old the same that they are by a 18 year old. We will play a similar system but one where nearby positions share more of the spaces defensively and offensively. Also, players need to be slightly closer together offensively as our passing range is less though we still need good spacing and team shape.

We will play with 4 defenders (flat back 4), 3 midfielders (right, left, center) that are slightly pinched in, and 3 forwards (right, left, center) that play within a width of about 44 yards of each other (distance from left and right forwards).

Defensively, we can press or can play with restraining lines to compact the field. Defensive blocks should shift/ balance and defend zonally as groups of players. The midfield is responsible for shifting the width of the field. The outside backs can be released in to the midfield to help or pressure (especially when playing against 2 forwards). The outside forwards are expected to press down from behind whenever possible. System requires fit players but should allow for a pressing mentality and shared responsibilities for defending spaces. The backs play a standard zonal back 4 system and must learn how to defend zonally and be strong enough 1 v 1 defenders as to not require a sweeper to save us. The goalkeeper must play high and be comfortable covering the space behind the defense and also be able to start an attack and change the point of attack as well.

Offensively, we want the majority of our players in a position to receive the ball at their feet. One of the 3 forwards can release to get ball in behind but generally we need to develop showing and timing of showing runs. The weak side forward will pinch inside some (unlike in the U18 system of play) to be a passing option. The 3 midfielders will cover the width of the field and all have the freedom to attack. These players will not be separated with offensive and defensive roles. They should look to link together and always be underneath supporters for the forwards. As the play is being switched the outside backs look to attack the outside midfield space in a wide role. This will allow the midfielders to stay linked together. This allows our outside backs to get in to the attack from a safe role (behind the ball starting position). Forwards look to combine with midfielders, combine with overlapping outside backs, or go 1 v 1 to get in behind defenses as a generally rule. Vertical combination play and support should be an integral aspect of our attacking schemes.

Ideal positional qualities:

U-15 - U-18 System

This should be a very flexible system both offensively and defensively and should not require enormous changes due to the other team. The system can adjust to a 4-5-1 to hold a lead can develop into a 3-4-3 or even 2-5-3 to push for a goal.

Offensively, we are looking to possess the ball through the backs and the midfield. We are looking to get our outside backs into the attack in the wide midfield slots. We are looking to play in to our forwards feet for them to either combine to get in behind or take a 1 v 1 situation.

Defensively, we are looking to play flat in the back and defend zonally with a pressing mentality.

This system is both structured and very conducive to very attractive soccer. This is almost identical to the Memphis Mercury in 2001 and 2002. It allows for good positional instruction in learning the forward, midfield, and defending blocks. Players can easily learn to play both as flank players and central players, with offensive qualities. Zonal defending is not only easily taught; it is a requirement of this system. Different individual playing characteristics are easily allowed, though in specific positions. Players can be fast or slow, tactically simple or with creative flair.

Roles and Responsibilities

Goalkeeper:

Defensive: Organize, direct, and sweep behind the back four. Mobility in start position as back four flattens and/or steps. Dominate space behind back 4 with foot skills, good communication, and quick decisions.

Offense: Quick, accurate distribution to backs and forwards. Look for long throws to forwards feet as first option. Start the counterattack – especially off of corner kicks.

Change the point of attack across the back quickly to free up weak side defender.

Central Defenders:

Defense: Dominate opponents forwards both in the air and on the ground. Organize team defending – organize central mids, outside back, and defensive restraining lines. Work in tandem with each other. Organize holding lines as well – pressure on ball- we can condense. No pressure on ball, we drop off. When the ball is in a wide location must rotate over to help out back who steps into the midfield.

Offense: Have ability to possess the ball in the back with simple passing. Simple combination play with central mids. Be able to find outside forwards if we need to relieve pressure with longer distribution.

Outside Backs:

Defense: Defend zonally within the flat back four system. Be the balancing defender when the ball is on the opposite side of play.

Step to pressure the wide midfielder in your channel in conjunction with the wide forward pressuring from behind as well given the situation. Appropriate timing – close enough for immediate pressure – don’t over commit and be exposed over the top recklessly. If their outside back is under immediate pressure from our forward then the outside back has the freedom to step into that space immediately.

Players must be extremely fit.

Offense: Players have the space to attack in wide flanks with or without the ball. Be careful about getting ahead of the ball and getting caught out of position. Opposite out back must hold back line and keep numbers at 3 in the back. Outside back looks to combine short with central mids who will show or combine to their side out forward which they then support or can overlap. Can combine with central forward as well. As ball rotates to other side in the mid they must recover as other out back will probably start attacking.

Midfielders:

Holding/ Defensive midfielders

Defense: Organize the midfield pressure with the offensive mid slotting into gaps between forwards. Strong side def mid steps up to pressure defensively with the weak side def mid balancing in the central and denying changing the point of attack through the middle. Make sure we don’t have all 3 mids overplaying one side. Clog up seems in to the opposing forwards. Press in the middle and assist the wide players to close up the space for them to press. These players work together as a unit.

Offense: Make yourself available for short passes from the backs. Be in a supporting position for the offensive mid. Look to change the point of attack by finding opposite out backs – or possibly the opposite out forwards and can always combine with mids. If one def mid pushes forward then the other one holds the space. Def mids can look to get forward but typical starting position should be from behind the ball (unlike the off mid)

There is lots of freedom within the midfield as long as there is balance among the 3 mids and all 3 mids play within the width of the penalty box.

Defensive mids should be extremely fit.

Offensive mid:

Defense: Fill in seems between the forwards. Work side to side to pressure in behind the forwards. The three mids work together as a pressing central unit that doesn’t allow the ball to be switched.

Offense: The player with the most freedom- Look to get the ball at feet and combine, create off the dribble. These players should always be an option for the forwards when it goes to their feet. Midfield-forward combination play primarily through these players

Forwards:

Defense: Wide players are responsible to pressure and track same side backs. Central forward is responsible to pressure and track central defenders. Wide players need to help cover the wide midfield area only when the ball is on their side in conjunction with the outside back. Weak side forward stays high but squeezes inside slightly (split wide back and central back).

The Central forward must not allow the ball to be switched unless it travels back to their goalkeeper.

The forwards must understand and apply defensive restraining lines appropriately. The forwards must be able to adjust to more defensive positioning when holding a lead at the end of a game – (4-5-1).

Offense:
- score goals –
- think Dutch -

The forwards stay wide to stretch the width of the defense. They stay as high as possible and show for the ball to feet at the appropriate times. Wide players look to combine to get in behind with either supporting mids, the central forward, or their out back. They need to recognize if they have 1 v 1 isolation and take on. They need to have the ability to hit swerving crossing into the box.

The central forward shows when the central mids have the ball and when the play is being developed from a wide position, makes the decision to show from a central position or can release for a through ball behind the wide forward.

As the play is developing along a side, the opposite wide forward stays wide to unbalance for an early or late cross.

The central forward needs to be able to show as a target and shield the ball well to then combine with others.

If we are being squeezed defensively because everything is short – we need to recognize it and release over the top to keep the opposing team off balance.