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.

11v11  U13 - U19 

Teams will use the 3-5-2 formation. Teams in the advanced stage (U15 onwards) can also use a 4-4-2 formation with a diamond in the middle. This system provides more space in the wide areas of the field for the outside midfielders to move forward and join the attackers it also provides more of an attacking threat when playing from the midfield zone as there are numbers going forward to provide support.  The back 3 provides a close compact consistency in defense when moving together on the field and allows space for the outside midfielders to move forward when attacking. Our 2 defensive center midfielders are there to provide a line of support in front of the back 3 to stop any central attacks from the opposition. 

9v9    U11 - U12

Teams playing 9v9 soccer are strongly encouraged to use the 3-4-1 formation. This formation helps players express the principles of play specified in this document. This system allows for better adaptation to a 3-5-2 formation as the players progress to 11v11.

7v7   U8 - U10

Teams are encouraged to play with 2 defenders and 3 midfielders and 1 forward.  Teams will transition to 3-3 when defending to have numbers behind the ball and keep compact to stop opposition from playing passes.   

^ 11v11 This is the 3-5-2 formation. This is a well balanced formation in attack and defense with two defensive midfield players and one attacking midfielder.

^  9v9 - This is the 3-4-1 formation, helps to create wide passing angles to our outside midfielders to start an attack and find crosses to connect with our forward around the box to score.

^ 7v7 - Our 2-3-1 formation allows our players to get comfortable playing as a unit and understanding each others role.

Individual roles and responsibilities of each position within the NSFC system of play.  This is a a tool to guide our players both on and off the field. To have success as a team it is imperative that each individual player and position is reaching their full potential and understanding what needs to be achieved in each position is part of the process.

The technical and tactical demands for each position are in relation to the style of play we are trying to achieve in the club. These are many of the major points, but within coaching styles and knowledge players and coaches may find other points that help improve the players role.