There are many successful playing styles in world soccer

Allow the opponent to have a lot of ball possession Own team focusses on compact defending (D) Shutting down spaces Keeping thedefensiveshape 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) Defensive Playing Style of Re-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) Offensive Playing Style of Pro-Active Playing Style

Player Development Reactive Pro- Active Transition defending to attacking Transition defending to attacking Defending Defending Transition attacking to defending Transition attacking to defending Attacking 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 ways Attacking Possession-based Direct Play Dominating by controlling progressive possession Patience in building-up create (find pockets) Putting the opponent under pressure by long passes towards the strikers as quickly as possible or when the opponent presses you 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 ways Defending Direct Opponent Oriented Ball Progression Oriented High 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

High Press Game Situation: Build Up from GK OFFENSIVE THIRD All players are in middle third and offensive third Attacking players are in the offensive third MIDDLE THIRD All players from the own team are on the opponents half DEFENSIVE THIRD 12

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 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 -.

High Press Coaching Points OFFENSIVE THIRD Starting Position Trigger Run: Curve MIDDLE THIRD Run: Intensity Synchronization DEFENSIVE THIRD 21