Kennet Valley Football Club
Players Handbook
We take RESPONSIBILITY for ourselves and our actions.
We RESPECT...
-Our team mates
-Our Coaches
-Our Opponents
-Our training equipment and venue
-Our Parents, Families, Supporters and those that look after us.
We show a POSITIVE “can do” attitude to training and matches.
We LEAD by example and SUPPORT each other.
We are PROACTIVE, We do not wait to be told... We think ahead.
Kennet Valley Football Club
Andy Barefield – Team Manager
Email: [email protected]
Ben Trinder – Coach
Email: [email protected]
Neil Thomas – Coach
Email: [email protected]
Ollie Trinder – Goalkeeper/Fitness Coach
Email: [email protected]
Kennet Valley Contact
-Excellent handling skills
-Composed and able to pass with either foot
-Confident in dealing with crosses
-Good communication skills, able to organise teammates
-Athletic, flexible and agile
-Able to cope with errors and criticism
-Quick reactions, both in thought and movement
-Makes positive decisions and plays with presence
-Understands benefits of good starting position
-Good game understanding and decision making
Goalkeeper attributes
-Reads game well and positions effectively
-Courageous and focussed during the game
-Can defend in 1v1 situations
-Understands how to defend individually and collectively
-Quick/Explosive pace over short distances
-Possesses upper body strength for contact situations
-Understands when to mark opponents from different distances
-Can cover other defenders and mark spaces effectively
-Tracks opponent’s movements and can pass players onto teammates
-Defends with composure and confidence
Defender attributes
-Available to receive the ball in all situations
-Has a positive, controlled competitiveness
-Can beat an opponent individually or through a team combination
-Possesses excellent vision and awareness of options
-Retains possession with efficient passing, forwards or backwards
-Uses a variety of one-touch skills using different surfaces of the foot
-Strike accurate shots on goal
-Excellent aerobic and anaerobic capacity
-Displays intensity and composure throughout the game
-Recovers, presses and marks players in defensive areas
Midfielder attributes
-Scores goals in a variety of ways, using different surfaces and skills
-Positive approach to attacking opponents
-Can beat an opponent in a variety of ways
-Combines with support players from midfield to beat defenders
-Explosive acceleration and pace, in and out of possession
-Receives the ball and turns to attack defenders
-Provides accurate passes and crosses for team mates in goal-scoring positions
-Shows a willingness to operate in defensive situations
-Controlled and composed when delivering crosses, passes and when shooting
-Agile with and without the ball
Striker attributes
Central Defenders are quicker, they are expected to step into midfield areas and be
comfortable passing the ball.
Full Backs are encouraged to push forward, overlap midfielders and operate almost
as wingers, possessing all the necessary skills for this role.
Wingers are no longer playing on the touchline, they are coming infield to dribble
and play in central areas to create and score goals.
Midfield players now have licence to break forward, up to and beyond the strikers
knowing that team mates will cover their positions.
Central Midfielders are popping up all over the pitch from in their own box to playing
on the flanks. Keeping and winning the ball are their main roles.
These changes to traditional team “shape” and positioning suggest that the modern
game is coming away from a rigid formation and swinging towards teams consisting
of interchangeable footballers capable of filling a number of roles on the field.
The Modern Game – Tactical changes
We are good players – We can relax on the ball
We play for each other
We keep possession of the ball
We can adapt our style for different situations
We understand how to defend and attack as a team
We are capable of playing in different positions
The way we play...
Where should we be if...
Positioning Guide
As a defensive
unit, stay close
together and
move across the
pitch depending
on which side the
ball is on.
Compact
defence means
there are few
gaps for the
attacking team to
play through.
Communication
amongst the team
is vital is these
situations.
Defensive Unit – Stay compact
Defenders playing out from the back (1)
Defenders playing out from the back (2)
Can we win the ball back in 10 seconds?
Can I close space and limit options?
Can I communicate with my team mates?
Can I help the team defend as a unit?
Can I cover or support a team mate?
Can I stay “switched on” for the whole game?
KVFC Out of Possession...
In attack we
attack with width
and depth –
make the pitch
big by creating
space.
The opposition
will spread out to
mark us and we
will be able to
play in the gaps.
We will need to
adjust our playing
style to suit our
situation. Are we
winning? Are we
drawing and
looking for a
winner? Are we 30 ahead?
Attack – make the pitch big
Change the point of attack
Can I create space for myself or my team mate?
Can I keep possession of the ball?
Can I play forwards?
Can I hurt the opposition? – dribble, pass or shoot?
Can I support a team mate on the ball?
Can I take a player on and beat him?
KVFC In Possession...
We take inspiration from...