King Knight Education

Universal Concepts represent the core competencies each individual player must master, such as:

 

• Back Foot Receiving - controlling the ball on the back foot to open the field of vision.

• Scanning - constantly scanning the field before and after receiving the ball.

• Combination Passing - quick interplay passing with teammates to break lines.

 

Collective Concepts encompass the synchronized group movements and patterns that connect players on the field, such as:

 

• Dismarking to Support - players moving to create passing options.

• Dismarking to Rupture - runs that break the defensive lines.

• Rotating Positions - structured movement to maintain shape.

 

There are 67 Universal and Collective Concepts that form the technical and tactical vocabulary of Positional Play.

 

Fluency in these concepts allows a coach to instruct his players in the language of systematic, position-oriented football.

 

This comprehensive online course provides everything a coach needs to master the concepts of Positional Play, including:

 

• 24+ hours of instantly applicable coaching instruction.

• Explanations of Positional Play theory and why the concepts are essential.

• 75+ Universal and Collective Concepts explored in detail.

• Written and telestrated video analysis of each concept.

• Out-of-the box, ready-to-use training session plans for each of the concepts.

• Graduation certificate upon completion.

• Access to an exclusive community of Positional Play coaches

 

Gain the knowledge to help your players become tactically and technically proficient in Positional Play and drastically improve your own knowledge in the process.

 

Enroll now and become fluent in the Universal and Collective Concepts that serve as the foundation for positional football.

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Let's break down the core elements of our curriculum, covering every subcomponent to ensure a comprehensive development experience for your team:

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Intentional Thinking: 'Look'

 

• Scanning (Universal and Collective): Elevate your players' game awareness with scanning techniques that enable them to interpret game situations and make effective decisions in real-time.

• Open Body Orientation: Encourage players to adopt an open stance, allowing them to scan the field and receive the ball optimally.

• Fake Scanning: Cultivate the art of deceptive scanning to create uncertainty in opponents and gain a tactical edge.

• Perceiving and Conceiving: Enhance the players' abilities to not just see but also understand and predict the unfolding game dynamics.

 

Intentional Speaking: 'Pass'.

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• Penetrating Pass: Teach players to deliver sharp, incisive passes that disrupt defensive lines.

• Continuity Pass**: Emphasize the value of passes that maintain team momentum and possession.

• Emergency Pass**: Equip players with the skills to find safe passing options under pressure.

• The Faster it Goes the Faster it Comes Back**: Instill a rhythm in your team's play that dictates the pace of the game.

• 1st Line Passes, 2nd Line Passes, 3rd Line Passes: Develop proficiency in navigating through different tactical layers of the field with appropriate passing strategies.

• Circulating and Probing to Attract Pressure towards the Ball: Design drills that simulate game scenarios to enhance tactical intelligence in attracting and manipulating defensive pressure.

• Attracting Pressure to Switch Play: Foster quick decision-making in switching play to capitalize on disorganized defenses.

• Breaking Lines & Finding the Free Man: Strategize passing sequences that find and utilize the unmarked player, creating numerical advantages.

• Find the Third and Fourth Man: Improve players' abilities to recognize and connect with off-ball runners, creating dynamic attacking opportunities.

• Playing Inside to Play Outside: Master the switch of play from the congested middle to the open flanks.

• Exploiting Plus 1 Scenarios: Encourage players to leverage numerical superiority with swift and strategic passes.

• Speed of Passing: Control the game's tempo with passes calibrated for speed and precision

• Optimal Traditional Passing: Perfect the fundamentals of passing with a focus on efficiency and accuracy.

 

Intentional Receiving: 'Control'.

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• Oriented Control: Train players to control the ball with directional intent, setting up their next move.

• Back-Foot Receiving: Focus on receiving techniques that set up immediate protective ball possession.

• Front-Foot Receiving (Attacking the Ball): Empower players to receive the ball aggressively, turning towards offensive opportunities instantly.

• Combination Passing: Drill players in swift, one-touch combinations to navigate through tight spaces.

• Breaking Lines with a Touch: Cultivate the skill of breaking defensive lines with a single, well-executed touch.

 

Intentional Movement: 'Move'.

 

• Attracting Pressure through Movement: Develop player movements that fix defenders and create space for teammates.

• Dismarking to Rupture (creating space in front of a line of pressure): Encourage players to move strategically to rupture defensive setups.

• Dismarking to Support (creating space behind a line of pressure): Coach players to find pockets of space to support ball progression and retention.

• Dismarking to Support & Rupture (Universal).

• Arrive Don't Be: Instill the concept of timing runs to receive the ball in advantageous positions.

• Receiving Between the Lines: Sharpen players' skills in finding and exploiting space between defensive lines.

• Diagonality: Train players to move and receive diagonally to create dynamic angles of play. 

• Multiple Playing Heights: Teach spatial awareness to utilize vertical space effectively.

• Going Dark: Educate on the tactics of moving out of a defender's line of sight to receive the ball unmarked.

• Double Movements: Craft the ability to perform deceptive runs, misdirecting defenders

• Emergency Support and Continuity Support: Ensure players understand when and how to offer immediate or continuous support during play.

• The Free Man (Universal).

• Support Inside the Game Center Space & Outside: Discuss the strategic importance of supporting from various positions on the pitch, both centrally and wide.

• Positioning Between or Behind a Line of Defensive Pressure: Hone skills in occupying spaces that challenge defensive structures.

• Defensive Relays (Collective) & Diamond Principle (Collective).

• 1st, 2nd & 3rd Line Passing Options & Relative Distances of Support: Drill into the team the fundamental structures of defensive relays and support distances.

• Counterpressing: Master the techniques of counter-pressing to win back possession and deter forward progression by the opponent.

• Dynamic Plus 1 Scenarios (Collective).

• Give and Goes, Under and Overlaps: Employ combined moves and overlaps to create and exploit 2v1 and 3v2 scenarios on the field.

 

Visit our comprehensive soccer coaching platform to experience the full suite of training modules designed to unlock the full potential of every player. Through our detailed, step-by-step program, your players will learn to move, think, and communicate with intention — turning them into complete soccer athletes with the prowess to succeed at every level of the game.