Principles of Play
Our game model — how we want to play, in four phases
- Scan before you receiveLook over your shoulder before the ball arrives so you already know what is around you.
- Open body shapeReceive on your back foot with your body half-turned so you can see forward.
- Width and depthStretch the pitch wide and long so we always have somewhere to play.
- Create trianglesPosition yourself so the player on the ball always has at least two passing options.
- Third-man runsPass to a teammate who sets it back or sideways for a third player running forward.
- Play between the linesFind the space between the opponent's midfield and their defence and receive there.
- Build from the backThe goalkeeper and defenders start our attacks with passes, not big kicks.