BP - BALL POSSESSION 

A proactive brand of football based on effective possession with creative combination play and a cutting edge provided by innovative individuals who are match winners. A strong emphasis is placed on a flat passing game, so essentially a departure from using a lot of long balls, with a constant attacking mentality. The aim is to get into the opponents danger zone fast, with precise through-passes played at a very high tempo when the moment has been created. The goal is to generate positional superiority behind the opponent when the moment presents itself.

The priority every time when in possession is to influence the opponents in such a way that we can break the line and win the space. If this is not possible, the objective turns to conserving and keeping possession in such a way that we can create a moment go forward through another route.

PRINCIPLES OF PLAY 

  • Keeping Possession
  • Positioning and movement to create width & depth = space & time
  • Precise passing & penetration 
  • Plentiful penalty area entries with numbers in the penalty area
  • Clinical finishing

Moment 1.0 - Initiation Phase create time and space to progress through the 1st line of defence

Team Task - To create time & space by making the field as big as possible and positioning yourself in an area which makes as many passing lanes to team mates as possible and allows the team to progress towards the opponents goal. 

Player Task

  • 1  - Provide an option behind the ball carrier to switch the point of attack.
  • 3,4,6 - Pass/Dribble until you can get the ball into the next line.
  • 2,5 - Provide width to create space for 3,4,6 centrally and join the next line of attack by staying high. 
  • 8,10 - Create space by positioning yourselves in between the 2nd line of attack and the opponents defenders.
  • 7,11 - Stay wide to create spaces between opponents defensive line. 
  • 9 - Look to create depth and get on then ball in front of or ideally behind the defensive line and  

MOMENT 2.0 - Maintaining possession beyond the 1st line of defence & progressing into the scoring zone hitting the 9

Team Task - To create goal-scoring opportunity following combination play in central areas of the middle third

layer task

  • 1 - Support play from behind the ball carrier.
  • 3,4,6 - Dribble/Pass to find the highest player facing forward early, then provide support to players forward and central of you.
  • 2,5 - Support from wide and behind.
  • 8/10 - Look to make forward runs into space and support attackers from behind.
  • 7/11 - Get on the ball high as possible and as wide as possible.
  • 9 - Get on the ball in as high as possible

Moment 2.1 - Maintaining possession beyond the 1st line of defence & progressing into the scoring zone hitting the 8/10

Team Task - Get a player on the ball facing forward near half-way so we can then progress into the attacking half and create scoring chances. 

Player task

  • 1 - Support play from behind the ball carrier.
  • 3,4,6 - Dribble/Pass to find the highest player facing forward early, then provide support to players forward and central of you.
  • 2,5 - Support from wide and behind.
  • 8/10 - Look to make forward runs into space and support attackers from behind.
  • 7/11 - Get on the ball high as possible and as wide as possible.
  • 9 - Get on the ball in as high as possible

Moment 3.0 - Progressing into the scoring zone through combinations in central areas finding the 10 

Disorganise the opponent until the moment is created using combination play in central areas to create a clear goal-scoring opportunity

Player Tasks

  • 1 – Provide a supportive option behind the ball if we cannot go forward
  • 2/5 – Provide width to become a passing option if central passing lanes are not open
  • 3/4 – Find a midfielder facing forward on the ball
  • 6 – Look to play to the 9 or a midfielder between the lines
  • 8/10 – Look to receive facing forward between the lines (position 1 or 2)
  • 9 – Stay high to stretch the pitch and create space between the lines
  • 7/11 – Keep your width to open central passing lanes to the midfielders or
  • 9 - make forward runs to receive from a midfielder; make movement to create further central passing options if the 10 is on the opposite side

Moment 3.1 - Progressing into the scoring zone through in wide areas

Team Task - Disorganise the opponent until the moment is created using combination play in central areas to create a clear goal-scoring opportunity

Player Tasks

  • 1 – Provide a supportive option behind the ball if necessary
  • 2/5 – Provide width to become a passing option if central passing lanes are not open
  • 3/4 – Find a midfielder facing forward; give us depth to ensure supportive options behind the ball
  • 6 – Find 8/10 facing forward between the lines
  • 8/10 – Hit pass to 7/11 such that they can take their first touch forward without having to slow down; make forward runs into the box
  • 9 – Attack the near post as the player crossing the ball looks up
  • 7/11 – Get an early cross in; attack the far post if the ball is on the opposite side

CONCEPTS

Dominating the opponent requires proactive actions to occur in key moments by individuals and teams and need to be valued, recognised and rewarded. 

Tactical Superiority

  • Creating 2v1 situations from deep 
  • Following in a shot on goal anticipating a mistake
  • Playing quickly to create positional superiority
  • Playing quickly to create numerical superiority