HDSC Systems of Play
Our System of play is important and set to give HDSC teams the best possible chance for success.  With each of our teams playing the same system we are able to keep continuity throughout the program.  Our system:
o   Refers to how the teams are set on the field; for 11-aside 4-3-3; for 9-aside 3-2-3.
o   Defines roles and responsibilities of players on the field.
o   Defines organization on the field at a specific time depending on the game situation.
o   Outlines the phases of play (attacking, defending)
o   Systems may change depending on game situation or when deemed necessary by the coaching staff.
 
HDSC Formations:
9-Aside: Teams playing 9v9 soccer use the 3-2-3 formation. This system allows for better adaptation to a 4-3-3 formation as the players progress to 11v11.
11-Aside: Teams will use the 4-3-3 formation, either in its 4-2-3-1 or 4-1-2-3 variations. Teams in the advanced stage (U15 onwards) can also use a 4-4-2 formation. All formations used by HDSC teams in 11-a-side games must keep a back 4 line. The back 4 provides consistency in defense and allows space for the outside backs to move forward when attacking. 

HDSC Style of Play:
The style of play is different to the system of play; the style of play does not change regardless of the formation.  Style of play includes approach and attitude towards the game and defines how we play the game when attacking or defending.  HDSC style of play includes:

• Offensive style - All teams will be encouraged to display an offensive style of play based on keeping possession and quick movement of the ball.
• Quick transitions and finishing - Speed of play, avoiding over-dribbling, looking for an organized and quick movement of the ball and finishing will be encouraged in all age groups.
• Position specific - A team must be organized defensively, keeping their specific positions in the formation. However, players will look for spaces and movements to support forward when attacking by moving away from their original positions

HDSC Technical:

• Passing & Receiving: Passing the ball on the ground with pace from different distances and receiving the ball while keeping it moving will be encouraged in all age groups.
• Shooting: Players must develop the ability to shoot from different distances. All players will be encouraged to shoot from any reasonable distance during the game.
• Ball control and Turning: Players will be encouraged to keep close control of the ball and use different turning techniques to move away from Defenders

 
HDSC Tactical:

• Playing out from the back: All teams must feel comfortable playing the ball from the back through the midfield and from there to the final third of the field.
• Possession & Transition: All teams must try to keep possession of the ball playing with the least amount of touches needed. Players will be encouraged to support and move, thus creating passing options. Once the possession is gained the team must learn how to play the ball in the most efficient way from one area of the field to another.
• Quick Transition from offense-defense & defense-offense: When possession is lost, players must react quickly and apply pressure to regain the ball. Once possession is regained, players will be positioned immediately to counter attack

 
HDSC Playing Philosophy:

HDSC playing philosophy is important and is outlined and enforced at the earliest age possible.  How the HDSC train and the objectives set have a great impact on how our players and teams play.  The objectives for training are outlined as follows:

• Understand how we play soccer in the HDSC Programs
• Understand and apply how we prepare for that.
• Achieve a level of technique, physical and tactical understanding to allow us to play within the system.
• Approach every training and game with maximum effort.
• Conduct further training away from ‘official’ training in order to improve as players.

 
The Program philosophy is important to the way we want our players to play the game and allow players and teams to work towards season objectives:
 
1.     Develop successful teams through long term development of each player’s technical and skill proficiency;
2.     Teach players ball mastery at an early age and they will be better suited to understand and execute tactical plans later in their soccer career.
 
This should be done while players:

• Respect the game, opponents and officials.
• Continue with HDSC playing philosophy, allowing HDSC teams to play the most attractive soccer possible while trying to achieve success.
• Playing positive while having fun and enjoyment.

 
HDSC approach to the game on a daily basis and what is expected of our teams and players:

1. To play the most attractive soccer we can at all times.
2. To play with the same intensity at training and games.
3. To look to keep possession whenever possible, starting with the Goalkeeper and progressing throughout the field.
4. To play with a positive attitude.
5. To dictate the tempo of the game, whether with or without possession.
6. To regain possession at the earliest possible opportunity while maintaining a good defensive shape and staying organized.

HDSC Phases of Play:

HDSC primary focus are on the following 4 following Phases of Play

1. Attacking
2. Transition (attacking to defending)
3. Defending
4. Transition (defending to attacking)

Attacking Phase:
The attacking phase is considered to be any time that we have possession of the ball and have the opportunity to attack.  Within the attacking phase we are looking to:

• Control the tempo of the game through possessing the ball (patience vs penetration)
• Create space on the field to give the best opportunity for player in possession and teammates to find areas on the field where they can be most effective.
• Create chances to score.
• Score goals.

Transition Phase - Attacking to Defending:
The transition phase is when we lose possession of the ball and have to move from attack to defense as quickly as possible. During this phase we are looking to:

• Reorganize as quickly as possible to prevent opponents from attacking areas of ‘weakness’
• Pressure the ball as quickly as possible in order to stop a quick counter attack.
• Win the ball back immediately or at the earliest possible opportunity.  

Defending Phase:
The defensive phase is when the team have been out of possession for more than a few seconds. At this time, we are looking to:

• Make the opposition’s play as predictable as possible through the way pressure is put on the ball (angle approach)
• Organize as a team to defend effectively
• Individual player’s responsibilities within the team structure
• Prevent opposition creating scoring opportunities.    

Transition Phase - Defending to Attacking:
When possession is gained back focus is for team to move from defense to attack as quickly as possible. Within the transition phase the focus is on:

• Moving the ball forward at speed to exploit any weakness in the opposition before they can get reorganized.
• Keep possession if the opportunity to counter attack is not there.
• Build attacking play patiently, wait for an opportunity to penetrate and attack openings

 
Playing the system the right way and with a positive attitude towards the style of play HDSC teams will have the opportunity to give their best in every phase of play. The system and style provides good balance and organization on the field to help compete with all teams we play against. When attacking all player must be in a position to be available to receive the ball.  When defending all players must fulfil their defensive duties.
 
HDSC - Players Roles and Responsibilities:

GOALKEEPER

Defending
Control and defend the space between them and the central defenders to reduce the chances of penetration by opponents; starting position is important.

• Communication with team-mates
• Organize and direct defenders within the team defensive structure
• Organize efficiently and effectively at set piece situations
• Provide good angles and distances in order to protect the goal
• Use correct handling and diving techniques when required
• To collect crosses using the correct action and decision making skills
• To demonstrate bravery in all actions and decisions

Attacking

• Start attacks with good distribution
• Provide good support angles for defenders to aid them in possession of the soccer ball
• To operate as a ‘sweeper’ – as the team progresses up the field of play
• Communicate with the team to ensure correct balance is achieved when attacking

Skills

• Handling and diving
• Receiving skills (both feet)
• Passing skills over all distances, from the hands and both feet
• Throwing
• Cross taking
• Set position
• Communication and organization

 
CENTRAL DEFENDERS

Defending

• Along with the goalkeeper, control and defend the space between them and the central defenders to reduce the chance of penetration by the opponents
• Communicate and combine with other defenders to maintain the defensive security and structure of defending play especially centrally
• Combine with other central defenders in marking and passing on attacking players
• Mark, track and control forwards in goal scoring positions
• Organize and direct fellow defenders within the team defensive structure
• Support and cover fellow central and flank defenders as necessary
• Mark opponents of space in order to be the first in crossing situations

Attacking

• Provide a central passing outlet for the goalkeeper and other players usually in the defending and midfield area of the field
• Retain and progress possession creatively usually in the defending and middle third of the field
• Set play heading options

Skills

• Marking, tracking and back tracking skills
• Intercepting, challenging and tackling skills
• Containing skills in 1v1 situations – Pressure, Position, Patience, Tackling
• Heading skills
• Receiving skills
• Passing skills over all ranges
• Combination play
• Support skills
• Running with the ball

 
FULL BACKS

Defending

• Control and defend the space between him and the CD's and GK to reduce the chances of penetration by the opponents.
• Combine and work with fellow defenders to maintain a defensive security and structure of defending play in wide areas.
• To move to a more central position when the ball is on the opposite flank.
• Support and cover the central defender when the ball is on the opposite side of the pitch.
• To act as the last line of defense in the flank position.
• To prevent crosses by the opposition.
• Organize and direct fellow defenders as necessary
• Organize/direct/assist the winger in his defensive duties.

Attacking

• Provide a wide passing outlet for the goalkeeper and other players usually in the defending and midfield areas of the field.
• Progress possession creatively in the flank areas in all phases of the field.
• Create crossing positions alone or in combination with others.
• To deliver accurate and timely crosses from flank positions.
• Overlapping

Skills

• Marking, tracking and back tracking skills
• Intercepting, challenging and tackling skills
• Supporting and covering skills
• Heading
• Receiving skills
• Passing skills over all distances
• Combination play; especially overlaps and wall passes.
• Running with the ball

DEFENDING MIDFIELDERS

Attacking

• To provide and present other players with passing options
• To support back players by moving opponents away from areas through which they may run with the ball
• Retain possession and provide penetrative passes for players moving into goal scoring or goal creating positions
• To move into goal-scoring positions as often as possible
• Support forward players

Defending

• Support forwards when defending direct opponent attacks through midfield areas by marking, pressing, intercepting and challenging for the ball
• When passes are made past the midfield, recover, track, and assist or replace defenders in their defending duties when necessary

Skills

• Good support angles
• Awareness of situations around you
• Receiving skills, good first touch
• Turning with the ball
• Ball protection on receiving
• Quality range of passing
• Long range shooting
• One touch passing
• Shooting and Finishing
• Marking, pressing, intercepting, tracking and challenging

 ATTACKING MIDFIELDER

Attacking

• To operate in between the midfield and forward players, usually within the width of the penalty area
• To get available/free to receive the ball
• To create space and scoring chances
• To provide for the forwards and wingers-especially behind in the space behind the opposition defense
• To score goals from distance and within the penalty area
• Make penetrating runs

Defending

• Understand and be part of effective pressure
• To prevent forward passing outlets of the opponents
• To mark and control the holding midfield player
• To recover into a deeper position to assist central midfielders as and when needed

Skills

• Positioning and knowledge of how to find and make space
• Awareness of situations around you
• Can play on the half turn
• Good receiving skills
• Turning and protecting/shielding skills
• Passing ability with the need for one touch play
• Combination play
• Can penetrate with quality forward passing
• Intelligence/awareness
• Attacking the penalty area-scorer with both feet both inside and outside the box-one touch finishing

WINGERS

Attacking

• To provide wide outlets in flank positions usually in the middle and attacking third of the field.
• Create crossing positions alone or in combination with others
• To deliver accurate and timely crosses from wide positions
• Contribute to attacking play in central positions with and without the ball
• To move into goal scoring positions when not involved in play
• To score goals

Defending

• To recover, react and act as a first defender in wide areas
• To assist other defenders in flank positions as appropriate
• Move to a more central covering position when the ball is on the opposite flank

Skills

• Efficient and varied receiving skills (ground/aerial control)
• Effective passing skills including 1 touch
• Deceptive body movement skills with and without the ball
• Dribbling and ball manipulation skills
• Running with the ball and combined player skills, e.g. wall passes and overlaps
• Crossing the ball with both feet using one touch when necessary (usually on the run)
• Understand the need for and how to create width
• Scoring skills with both head and feet
• Defending skills of marking. Tracking, pressing and covering
• Supporting and balancing skills

 
STRIKER

Attacking

• To operate as a most forward of attacking players.
• To move into goal scoring positions, usually within the penalty box whenever there is a chance of the ball being delivered there.
• To score goals
• To create goal scoring opportunities for team mates through intelligent movement, support play and accurate distribution skills – attack the spaces behind and to the side of defenses and defenders
• To be a persistent outlet for defending and midfield players in possession
• To control and retain possession of the ball to ensure that the attacking play continues with momentum through efficient passing skills (link up play)

Defending

• To understand pressuring
• To delay and contain attacking build up play by opposition defenders

Skills

• Able to lose tight marking defenders
• To move defenders away from good defending positions
• Efficient ball receiving and holding skills under pressure
• Turning skills
• Movement and timing skills especially to exploit space behind defenses
• Good 1v1 skills
• Good and imaginative distribution skills (with 1 touch when needed)
• All goal scoring skills; such as one touch, shooting, heading
• Pressing and containing skillsBottom of Form