UAFC Style of Play
- UAFC has a style of play that we feel best develops our players for optimal performance in any environment. We will do this through dominating the 4 moments of the game where the player and team actions are 35% higher than the opponent's actions. *35% is the value we feel gave our players and teams the optimal opportunity to win matches and determine dominance (Example of 20 shots to the opponents' 13)
- In the attack we manipulate the opponent while simultaneously controlling possession of the ball in all areas of the field. We will use individual creativity, quick ball and player movement, rapid transitions, forward passing, combinations, and outnumbering our opponent, thus exploiting our opponents spacing and giving us opportunities to score goals.
- In defense we diminish space to deny the opponent from scoring goals. We work as a unit to diminish space with intelligent quick pressing, a compact shape, and outnumbering our opponent.
Attacking
- To dominate the attack we manipulate the opponent while simultaneously controlling possession of the ball in all areas of the field. We will utilize our club's individual and team tactical principles to exploit our opponents spacing giving us opportunities to score goals.
Transition: Attacking to Defending
- When the ball is lost based on our defensive triggers, we pressure immediately at the location of the ball by taking space away and outnumbering the opponent within 3 – 6 seconds.
Defensive Triggers: Bad Touch, Bad Pass, Negative Pass, Opponent Facing the Sideline or Backwards, As the Ball Travels
Defending
- We prevent the ball from moving forward by getting compact in our team’s vertical and horizontal shape. We get directly in front of the path to goal by proactively stepping forward as high up the field as possible based on the ball's location. We pressure the ball on our defensive triggers when possible to take space away and outnumber our opponent to regain the ball.
Vertical Spacing: From last defender (#4 or #5) to first defender (#9) 30 yards
Horizontal Spacing: From furthest left defender (#3 or #11) to furthest right defender (#2 or #7) 44 yards (width of 18-yard box)
Defensive Triggers: Bad Touch, Bad Pass, Negative Pass, Opponent Facing the Sideline or Backwards, As the Ball Travels
Transition: Defending to Attacking
- When we regain the ball, immediately look forward with a pass or dribble that exploits the opponent when we have the following situations:
- Numbers even (1v1, 2v2, etc.)
- Outnumber the opponent (2v1, 3v2, etc.)
- Space for players to travel into
- We do this while simultaneously stretching the field vertically and horizontally to open spaces in order to play forward and counter-attack.