WAFC – Our Style of Play
Game Model/Principles
“We are an attacking club that defends collectively to regain the ball and control the game.”
WAFC plays attacking football, with disciplined defending that allows players to express themselves with confidence.
One identity. Four moments. Clear behaviors. Fearless players (not afraid to make mistakes).
WAFC North Star - Our Principles
These principles guide every decision, every age group, and every coach at Windsor Athletic FC. The principles stay the same — only the detail changes as players develop.
1. Defend Compact and Connected
WHY: Staying compact makes it harder for opponents to play through us and helps players defend together, not individually. Compact teams are more organized, more confident, and concede fewer chances. This teaches discipline, responsibility, and teamwork — foundations for long-term development.
2. Attack by Making the Field Big, Stretching the Opponent, and Penetrating with Purpose (Let’s play forward if we can).
WHY: Using width, height and depth stretches the opposition and creates space. Making the field big gives players more time and better pictures, helping them understand when to go forward, when to keep the ball, and why. Possession must have intent — not just for the sake of it. We want to have height, width and depth.
3. Make Forward Runs and Play on the Front Foot
WHY: Forward runs stretch defenders, open gaps, and give the player on the ball clear options. Movement off the ball is a skill that must be coached. Even when a player doesn’t receive the ball, their run can create space for teammates. This develops game intelligence, teamwork, and attacking mindset.
4. Encourage Bravery, Creativity, and Fearless Play in the Final Third
WHY: We want creative players who are not afraid to make mistakes, especially in the attacking third. The final third is where players must try things — dribble, combine, shoot, and take risks. Mistakes are part of learning. Fear kills creativity; confidence builds match-winners.
5. React Immediately in Transition
WHY: The moments right after winning or losing the ball are when teams are most vulnerable. Teaching players to react quickly builds good habits, emotional control, and game awareness. Fast reactions prevent chaos and create opportunities to attack before the opponent is organized.
Bottom Line
WAFC teams aim to be:
- Compact and organized without the ball
- Brave, creative, and purposeful with the ball
- Fearless in the final third
- Active and intelligent with movement off the ball
- Disciplined and aggressive in transition
THE FOUR GAME MOMENTS/PHASES OF PLAY
1. ATTACKING (IN POSSESSION)
Make the field big. Penetrate with purpose. Run forward.
WAFC Attacking Principles
- Make the Field Big
- Width from wide players
- Height from the highest player
- Depth from players behind the ball
- Avoid crowding the ball
- Penetrate With Purpose
- If you can go forward, go forward (dribble or pass)
If we can’t go forward, let's recycle the ball and be patient until we can go forward- Possession must have intent - speed of play
- Forward Runners & Positive Movement
- Players ahead of the ball make positive forward runs
- Runs in behind, across defenders, or to create space
- Movement off the ball is coached and valued
- Be Brave and Creative
- Encourage dribbling, 1v1s, driving forward
- Mistakes are part of learning, especially in the final third
- GKs play high and are aggressive. Sweeper Gks.
WHY: Width and movement create space. Forward runs stretch opponents and create attacking solutions.
7v7 (U9–U10) – Attacking
- Formation:
2-3-1
- Wingers stay wide
- Striker stays high and makes forward runs
- Dribble first, pass second
Coach language: Asking questions rather than commanding, example, “How can you make the field bigger?”, “How can you get on the ball?”
9v9 (U11–U12) – Attacking
- Width plus timing of forward runs
- Encourage overlaps and underlaps
- Players begin to recognize when to dribble vs combine
11v11 (U13+) – Attacking
- Coordinated forward runs (in behind, third-man runs)
- Positional rotations encouraged
- Decision making under pressure becomes the focus
2. DEFENDING (OUT OF POSSESSION)
Compact. Connected. Collective.
WAFC Defending Principles
- Get Compact
- Small gaps between players
- Small gaps between lines
- Protect central areas first
- Pressure – Cover – Balance
- Nearest player pressures
- Teammates cover and balance
- Team moves as one unit
- Delay, Don’t Dive In
- Slow the attack
- Force play away from goal
- Buy time for teammates to recover
WHY: Compact teams are harder to break down and easier to organize.
7v7 (U9–U10) – Defending
- Back
2 stay connected
- No big gaps between defenders
- Everyone works behind the ball when we lose it
Coach language:
“Do we want a big gap between our two defenders?”
9v9 (U11–U12) – Defending
- Compact team shape
- Introduce simple pressing cues (bad touch, sideline, a pass back)
- Midfield screens central space
11v11 (U13+) – Defending
- Compact between lines
- Organized pressing decisions
- Clear roles within team shape
3. TRANSITION: ATTACK → DEFEND (LOSING THE BALL)
React immediately. Win it back or stop the counter (get back behind the ball).
WAFC Transition (Loss) Principles
- Immediate Reaction (3–5 Seconds)
- Nearest player presses
- Teammates squeeze space
- Win It Back OR Stop the Counter
- If we can win it cleanly, do so
- If not, delay and slow the attack, get behind the ball
- Recover Shape Quickly
- Get compact again
- Next-action mentality
WHY:
Most goals are conceded in transition. Fast reactions prevent chaos.
7v7 – Transition (Loss)
- Immediate effort to press
- If beaten, recover behind the ball
9v9 – Transition (Loss)
- Support the press
- Recover shape if press is broken
11v11 – Transition (Loss)
- Organized counter-press
- Clear recovery roles
4. TRANSITION: DEFEND → ATTACK (WINNING THE BALL)
Look forward. Run forward. Exploit space.
WAFC Transition (Win) Principles
- First Look Forward
- Can we pass forward?
- Can we drive forward?
- Forward Runners Immediately
- Players ahead of the ball sprint forward
- Create depth, width, and passing lanes
- Use Width Early
- Stretch the opponent immediately
- Create space centrally
- Fast Decisions, Not Rushed
- Right decision beats fastest decision
WHY:
Teams are most vulnerable immediately after losing possession.
7v7 – Transition (Win)
- Win it → go forward
- Encourage dribble or forward pass
- Striker and wide players run into space
9v9 – Transition (Win)
- Recognize overloads
- Multiple forward options
11v11 – Transition (Win)
- Structured counter-attacks
- Multiple runners attacking space
WAFC NON-NEGOTIABLE (COACH ACCOUNTABILITY)
Every coach should be able to answer YES to the following:
- Are we compact when defending?
- Do we defend using pressure–cover–balance?
- Are we making the field big in possession?
- Are we penetrating with purpose, not just keeping the ball?
- Are players making positive forward runs?
- Are players brave and fearless in the final third?
- Do we react immediately in transitions?
- Can the coach clearly explain the ‘why’?
If
yes → aligned
If
no → support, guidance, and education
Why does our structure matter?
“Coaches and players need a reference point/a north-star. It makes our jobs easier and gives us an identity.”
- Kids need structure without the ball → confidence + clarity
- Kids need freedom with the ball → creativity + development
- Compact defending teaches teamwork and responsibility
- Brave attacking teaches decision-making and personality
Final Statement
At Windsor Athletic FC, development comes before outcomes.
Our job is to create confident, intelligent, creative footballers and good people through a clear, teachable way of playing.
