City High Women’s Soccer Player’s Manual 201 7 - 2018

1. City High Women’s Soccer Player’s Manual 2017-2018

2. Our program is making the purposeful decision to place the development of the person over the player. We are confident that if we develop the person first the stage will be set for the team and players to reach their potential on and off the field.

3. Pride - What does it mean to us? Pride in your Work At the end of every day are you proud of the work you did? Can you lay your head down on the pillow knowing that you attacked the day with great PRIDE? The City High Women’s Soccer program expects our student-athletes to be able to step out of school and off the practice field everyday proud of the work they did. Pride does not equal achievement or success - PRIDE in how you overcame failure, PRIDE in an act of kindness, PRIDE in how we gave back to the community, PRIDE in how you brought a smile to the face of a teammate or classmate. Does PRIDE shine through the work you do on a daily basis? Pride in your Legacy One’s time in high school will go by in a blink of an eye and when you look back at your time at City High and with our Women’s Soccer program - Will you be proud of the legacy that has been left behind? Is the program better than when you found it? PRIDE in your legacy will show in the present by your Passion, Respect, Industry, Discipline, and Excellence. How many teammates did you positively affect? When people speak of the City Women’s Soccer program - What do they say? That answer is the legacy you leave behind. What do you want them to say?

4. The Pride Principle Passion Respect Industriousness Discipline Excellence

5. Passion Strong desire and love for what it means to be a member of the City High Women’s Soccer program.

6. Respect Treat teammates as they would want to be treated. Respect that each individual brings different qualities to the program. Respect for our opponents, referees, opposing coaches, fans, all that have sacrificed to give us this opportunity.

7. Industriousness Day in and day out desire to work with great energy. Synonyms: activity, alertness, attention, exertion, intensity, vigor, constancy Antonyms: carelessness, disregard, lethargy, laziness PUTTING AN END TO LAZINESS!

8. Discipline Living, learning, training, and playing in accordance to the mission and standards of the City High Women’s Soccer program. Our program becomes an accumulation of the decisions we all make on a daily basis. The small decisions like our diet, getting rest, practice preparation by coaching staff, academic performance, care and recovery from injuries - All require discipline from each person. We expect each individual to discipline their lives for the greater good of the City Women’s Soccer Program

9. Excellence “We are what we repeatedly do. Excellence, then, is not an act but a habit.” - Aristotle This is the last letter, but represents the accumulation of all the other concepts. Excellence speaks to the day-in and day-out habits required for our program to continue reach its highest level. We are our habits. Do your habits reflect the dreams you have for yourself and this program?

10. Where are You?

11. Standards Actions on and off the field that will define our program.

12. Who Sets These Standards... …the Team! The team and its leaders are in-charge of establishing, monitoring, and upholding our standards. Team accountability is the first step in our program’s success. These are not the coach’s standards - but the team’s.

13. Value the Process over the Outcome What does that mean? We don’t ignore the outcome of a game or season, but we don’t make it more important than the process. The process is the daily, weekly, monthly work we do to improve ourselves and the team. How does our thinking change? This gives each day more value as we examine the growth that takes place. We focus on the little things in our training and lifestyle that can be improved upon to make us a better version of ourselves. If our program is an accumulation of people striving to be the best version of themselves on and off the field, the outcome (results) will take care of themselves.

14. Game Model How We Play

15. Principle #1 Progressive Possession • Building the game through the thirds of the field. • i.e. Back line players look to play through midfield into the strikers vs bypassing the midfield with direct play. • All players are expected to play an active role in the build-up of our play in possession. • Possession is used to move opposition and find overloads (areas of # numerical superiority) to attack. • i.e. A quick switch to our #2 to attack 2v1 with #7 at oppositions outside back. • Acceleration in our speed of play when overload is recognized. • Eliminate Opponents through Penetrative Passes or Dribbles • See Hierarchy of Decision Making (Next Page) • A penetrative pass eliminates opponents and forces opponents to recover and regain shape. Creates chaos or a disorganized team state for our opponents.

16. Player Decision Making Hierarchy • Can you score? • Important for all players to look to finish when in the right space in the right moment. • Can you pass to someone that can score? • Can you play forward? • Can we play a penetrating pass or dribble that eliminates opponents? • Can you switch the game to new space? • Is there new space that we can attack with superior numbers (i.e. opposite winger to build 2v1 with outside back)? • Can you play the ball back to supporting teammate? • If we are under extreme pressure, can we make the pass that keeps possession for our team. • The new player in possession now has a chance to see the field and make the next best pass for the team.

17. Principle #2 Quick Transition to Defensive Phase Provide immediate pressure when possible to opponent in possession. • Can first player immediately win possession back? • If not, slow progression of opponents attack and slow counter attack. Supporting teammates finds defensive shape and prepare to defend as a team. • Communication to organize and where opposition is being pushed. • Transition into a compact defensive shape that limits the available space forour opponents while in possession.

18. Principle #3 Zonal Defending • Defending as units with individuals responsible for specific areas. • Pass-on player horizontally – Track player vertically • Positioning is based on the ball with a body position that allows defenders to be aware of where the ball, opponent, and space are in reference to their zone. • Lines (back line, midfielders, and strikers) must move together to keep distances that deny penetration and keeps play in front of the team. • #2 or #3 will be asked to move with team when ball is on opposite side of field versus continuing a man-marking mentality. Principles of Defending: • Pressure • Depth • Balance • Discipline

19. Principle #4 Transition to Attack • See Player Decision Making Hierarchy • If quick counter is not on, can player in possession make a pass that escapes initial pressure and finds open space to build our attack. • We just worked hard to win possession - Make sure we value the moment we win the ball and allow us to move into possession phase. Value the possession we just gained. • Possession can be used as a tool to recover physically from the work done to regain possession of the ball.

20. How quickly do we organize the chaotic moments of transition? “Everybody says that set plays win most games, but I think it is more about transitions.” - Jose Mourinho How quickly can we take advantage of our opponent’s inability to handle the chaos of transition?

21. Positional Characteristics Positional Expectations for Success

22. Tactical Numbering System - Know theNumbers!

23. Goal Keeper - #1 In possession… BE VOCAL - giving important information Technically confident with feet to assist team in starting to play out from the back. Wide range of passes across several distances and weights. Vision to play into midfield to players that are able to receive and play forward. Confident in reading the game and communicating information to team using common soccer terminology. Out of possession… BE VOCAL - giving important information Ability to verbally organize the back line and team while managing proper goal face positioning. Demonstrate proper shot stopping techinques and communication using common soccer language. Ability to read visual cues of the game and make a decision quickly. Be mobile and willing to challenge in the air.

24. Center Backs - #4 and #5 In possession… • Technically confident to assist team in starting our play from the back. • Wide range of passes across several distances and weights. • Vision to play into midfield to players able to receive and play forward. • Fulfill role as supporting player when games needs to be reset or moved to find new space. • Comfortable driving forward in possession to overload the opponent’s midfield. Out of possession… • Ability to organize fellow back line players and team in our defensive efforts. • Set common defensive language - Step, Drop, Shift, etc. • Ability to read game and sniff out future problems before they occur • Be strong and confident to win crosses and direct balls played into and at the back line. • Win or control the 1v1 battles that happen in space.

25. Outside Back - #2 and #3 In possession… Technically confident to assist team in starting our play from the back. Wide range of passes across several distances and weights. Vision to play into midfield to players able to receive and play forward. Movement to support #7 and #11 in our attacking half. Ability to read cues to get forward in possession to overload our opponent’s in our attacking third. Ability provide targeted crosses from wide areas. Out of possession… Dominate 1v1 battles in wide space. Read the game and recover good defensive position when possession is lost. Read game and move forward to defend space created by the absence of wide midfield players. Comfortable to compete with opponent’s in aerial duels.

26. Holding Midfielder - #6 In possession… • Technically and tactically confident to be the focal point our build-up • Receiving with a body position that allows player to see as much of the field as possible. • Wide range of passes across several distances and weights. • Vision to see penetrative passes to players able to play forward. • Tactical understanding to take up positions in constant support of possession and move our possession to an area of low pressure. • Able to switch the point of attack when receiving pass in supporting position. Out of possession… • Act as a screening player for the back line denying… • entry passes into opponent’s strikers • opponent’s counter attack when in transition • Comfortable to win aerial battles in midfield and returning the ball to the ground so that we can start our possession phase.

27. Attacking Midfield - #8 and #10 In Possession... • Technically and tactically confident to be the focal point our build-up • Receiving with a body position that allows player to see as much of the field as possible. • Wide range of passes across several distances and weights. • Vision to see penetrative passes to players able to play forward. • Positioned to support and combine with front three • Willingness to run beyond front three and get in behind opponent’s back line. Out of Possession... • Win 1v1 battles in the midfield • Provide second layer of defense when defending from the front. • Rejoin organized midfield with tight, compact shape denying space through the middle of the field. Must have the mental strength to be the engine of the team.

28. Winger - #7 and #11 In Possession... Technically and tactically confident to attack opponent’s 1v1 in wide space. Provide consistent service to strikers and attacking midfielders from the end line with crosses on the ground. Provide the team full width making the field as wide as possible. Out of Possession... Win 1v1 battles in wide space. Track back, tuck-in, and assist midfield in defending efforts. Read high pressing cues to start team defensive efforts from the front.

29. Striker #9 In Possession… Confidence in technique to finish with many different surfaces of one’s body Take up positions in around the goal to finish. Act as a target player to play into and stretch our opponent’s defensively Positioning and movement to occupy opponent’s center backs. Out of Possession… First line of defense - Make opponent’s play predictable by restricting space with positioning Read cues and ball positioning for a high pressing moment.

30. Attacking Diagrams

31. Attacking Shape v 4-4-2 Rondos in 4-3-3 v 4-3-3 • Positioning vs Positions • The diagram is a useful guide - I do not want us to feel static or locked into a place on the field. • Player rotation and fluid movement is the next step in our progression as a program. • Positioning that abides by our playing principles is the focus. • Positions are at kick-off at each half and after a goal. That is about it. • The Rondo • The rondo is vital aspect of our program’s playing philosophy. • This is more than a warm-up activity, but has technical/tactical relevance to a progressive possession style of play. • See the diagram above the rondos that are formed against an opponent also playing a 4-3-3

32. Goal Kick - Playing Options Transition quickly to open shape and see if we can get ball in play before defending team can organize. Where some teams rely on chance on a goal kick - We have decided to work hard to control the outcome of the game and our possession. #1 - Can you find highest player centrally that is facing forward? If not, looking to play driven ball to our #7/11 or #9. We do not want to just launch ball forward and create 50/50 moment. #4 and #5 - Go to corners of 18 yard box #6 - Work in gap between #4 and #5 to receive side on. #2 and #3 - High and Wide #7 and #11 - Come inside to as width provided by #2 and #3 #8 and #10 - Find windows that allow you to receive and face forward #9 - Stay high and become target if unable to play out. Look to hold-up play and allow rest of team to join you in support.

33. What if our center backs are pressed? • Example in diagram is against a 2 striker system where the opponents have asked their strikers to man-mark our 2 center backs. • If this happens, we will ask that our #4 and #5 to move wide and to the outsides of the 18 yard box. • Why? - This forces a decision from our opponents. • If the strikers do not follow our #4 and #5, we will play out to our CBs. • If the strikers follow our #4 and #5, we will look to find our #6 or #8/#10 dropping back into the space created by the movement of our opponent’s strikers. • Important to have an answer to any problems our opponents present and the confidence to solve that problem.

34. Play Out Pattern #1 Play Out Pattern #2 • #1 plays out to #4 - Opponent’s striker takes away our #5 • #10 arrives in gap with opponent in her back. • #2 moves to support at a good angle underneath the ball. • #10 drops ball to #2 who has space to play forward. • #2 drives at opponent’s outside back with #7 providing width. • #2 has two options - If #7 is taken away by defender, bounce ball off #9. If opponents gives up space wide, slide ball into run of #7 • Use of the #6 to “Bounce” the ball from #4 to #5. • #11 drives forward and checks back from ball from #5. #3 not an option due to pressing opponent. • #8 comes underneath to support #11 who sets ball back and spins out. • #8 plays space created by #11 checking movement in between opponents right back and right center back.

35. Attacking Pattern #1 Attacking Pattern #2 • Attacking patterns starts from our CB’s with a ball into our #6 facing forward. • #8 and #10 open up to create space for entry ball into #9 • #9 moves away to create space for movement back to ball. • As ball rolls past #8/#10 both move underneath pass in support. • #9 sets ball back to #8 moving forward - who is able to pass wide to #7 • #7 drives forward to endline to create a cross back at an angle on the ground. • Similar to Pattern #1 - Possession starts from the CBs • #7 making movement back inside for possession. This acts as a cue for our #2. • #4 plays ball forward into #7 that has back to goal. • #8 reads forward pass and moves in support of #7 who sets ball back to #8 • #2 attacks space created by the movement of #7. • #8 plays #2 into space and #2 continues to drive end line for a cross back at an angle.

36. Attacking Pattern #3 Attacking Pattern #4 • Pattern starts with a switch of attack from #2 thru #6 to our #3. • #3 plays ball forward into the feet of #11 and begins his overlapping movement recognizing the space that #11 can drive into. • #11 drives inside creating space for #3 • ##11 plays the overlapping #3 and #3 continues to drive forward to the end line looking to play the cross on the ground back towards the penalty spot. • Similar to Pattern #1 - Possession starts from the CBs • #7 making movement back inside for possession. This acts as a cue for our #2. • #4 plays ball forward into #7 that has back to goal. • #8 reads forward pass and moves in support of #7 who sets ball back to #8 • #2 attacks space created by the movement of #7. • #8 plays #2 into space and #2 continues to drive end line for a cross back at an angle.

37. Defensive Diagrams

38. Back Line Shape - Ball Wide Back Line Shape - Ball Central • #2 moves and applies pressure to wide player in possession. • #4 shifts right to provide cover to pressure on ball. • #5 shifts right to provide additional line of cover** • #3 shifts right and stays even with #4 ** • **Important to not over shift as a unit - #3 and #5 still need to be able to cover their zones if ball is switched. • #4 steps to apply pressure to central attacking player. • #2 and #5 slide and pinch to provide cover and to deny penetrative pass between them and #4. • #3 shifts to right to stay connected** • ** Important to not over shift - #3 still responsible for attacking wide player in his/her zone.

39. “Back At Angles!” • Communication used to describe the movement of the team when the ball has left our defensive zone. • Players recovery after ball has left zone is back at angles to deny the space for a penetrative pass. • Focus is placed on keeping the ball moving in front of our defensive shape vs between and in behind. • See the Diagram to the Left • As we move closer to our defensive goal - our shape should continue to become more compact reducing the space between defenders. • In the same token, as we move forward as a defensive unit the spaces can expand.

40. Defending - Inside Out • Team sets up in a medium block setting the line of confrontation at the top of the center circle. • Team shape is designed to deny all central space in the midfield. • Can we dictate where our opponent’s play? • Once forced into the wide space - we await the pass or dribble that brings our opponent into the wide space near the halfline. • At this moment, we press the ball against form the inside out against the touchline - This will limit our opponent’s passing options due to the side line restricting options. • This is not a passive approach to defending, but an organized effort to control where we start our defensive work and where our opponent is allowed to play