BPO - BALL POSSESSION OPPONENT

Defensively the key components are quick transitions, tenacious work against the ball and intelligent collective pressing. The style enables a player and the team to counter-attack quickly when possession is regained. It’s a very energetic style, with a focus on acting rather than reacting, even if the opposition is in possession. The Playing Style is underpinned by a strong ‘team mentality’, capitalising on team values and a culture of hard work and dedication to the teams.

In order to limit our opponents space in possession, to play a pass or to receive a pass, movements ..… The first, second and third defenders all have the ability to impact the opponent’s time to make their decision and reduce the area they have to cover.

PRINCIPLES OF PLAY 

  • Pressure,
  • Compact/Cover/Balance,
  • Delay/Retreating/Depth
  • Determination to protect scoring zone in central or wide areas.
  • Mixture of man and zonal marking.

Moment 1.0 Deny opponents time and space to progress beyond our front line – Collective & Coordinated press

Team Task - Force the ball to one side of the park, limit as many forward options as possible and then press the ball carrier. 

Player task

  • GK  - Keep a high line so we do not get caught by a long ball to the opponents striker. 
  • 3,4 - Ensure the striker is marked and cannot get on the ball facing forward.
  • 2,5 - Stay compact and aware of what is outside your line of sight.
  • 6 - Stop opponents from progressing forward by getting into passing lanes to the striker.
  • 8,10 - Deny space and time for opponents 36&8 to get comfortable in possession in central areas.
  • 9 - Make play predictable and force the ball to one side of the field.
  • 11,7 - Stop opponents from progressing forward by getting into passing lanes and pressing the ball carrier to win the ball.

MOMENT 2.0  Ensure the opposition cannot find a player facing forward beyond our 2nd line of defence

Team Task - Compress centrally and force the play to one side where we can go and win the ball wide areas.

Player Tasks

  • GK  - Keep a high line so we do not get caught by a long ball to the opponents striker. 
  • 3,4 - Ensure the striker is marked and cannot get on the ball facing forward.
  • 2,5 - Stay compact and aware of what is outside your line of sight.
  • 10,8,6 – Stay compact & be ready to overload one side of the pitch, lock on to the opponent to ensure the opponent cannot face forward in possession.
  • 7/11 – Move as the ball travels to arrive on touch or to delay forward movement of the 2/5

CONCEPTS

Winning and dominating the opponent requires proactive actions to occur in key moments by indiviudals and teams and need to valued, recognised and rewarded. 

Tactical Superiority

  • Desperate to protect the goal when the opponent has broken through our lines
  • Step up when the ball is played backwards
  • Following in a shot on goal anticipating a mistake to be cleared
  • Stop the opponent playing quickly when we are disorganised by delaying/limiting forward options