“Where The Trails Of Passion And Purpose Meet, Begins The Path To Victory.”

1. Colorado Rush Soccer Club “The Rush Way To Play” “Where The Trails Of Passion And Purpose Meet, Begins The Path To Victory.”

2. SYSTEM(S) OF PLAY • 4-4-2 • One System is a Shadow of Another • Rush Way is 4-4-2 • II. 4-4-2 with a Box (4-2-2-2) • Supports the Rush Way to Play • Excellent System to Teach From • Principles • Positioning vs. Position “Where The Trails Of Passion And Purpose Meet, Begins The Path To Victory.”

3. System(s) of Play III. 4-4-2 with a Box (or 4-2-2-2) “Where The Trails Of Passion And Purpose Meet, Begins The Path To Victory.”

4. System(s) of Play • III. 4-4-2 with a Box • A. The Formation: Style: Offense – Controlled passing game, unselfish, fitness and willingness to run, good skills interchanging of positions, freedom with responsibility. • Defense – Hard strong tackles, tight marking, pressure on ball, zone and man-to-man marking, denying passing lanes, tight and compact, aggressive. • B. (4) Backs • (2) Center Backs • Disciplined, intelligent, fast, patient, tenacious • good in air, ball winners, zonal/marking, simple • quality in 2v2, Sound communicators • (2) Outside Backs • Support center backs and midfielders, get forward, get into attack, • maintain possession, 1v1 ability, fit, unselfish, disciplined “Where The Trails Of Passion And Purpose Meet, Begins The Path To Victory.”

5. System(s) of Play • 4-4-2 with a Box (cont.) • C. (4) Midfielders • (2) Defensive (or Holding) Midfielders • Stamina, athletic, fast, hard working • Good passers, good range to switch point of attack, good with both feet, provide width when necessary (one must hold) • Discipline to hold position • Excellent 1v1 defenders, ball winners (ground and air), simple with destroyer mentality, powerful • Unselfish, flexible • Compliments Attacking Midfielders • (2) Attacking Midfielders • Creative, confident, crafty, good ball skills • Play-maker, supports and shows well, creates goal-scoring chances • Fit, mobile, willing to get wide when necessary, run to penetrate • 1v1 attackers, dynamic • Personality “Where The Trails Of Passion And Purpose Meet, Begins The Path To Victory.”

6. System(s) of Play • 4-4-2 with a Box (cont.) • D. (2) Forwards • Big, strong, powerful, fast, scrappy • Target player, holds ball well, plays the way they face, strikes ball well • Very good in the air • Good 1v1 and in tight spaces • Creative and intuitive • Positive attitude when in front of the goal • Unselfish • Runs: checking, hook, blind side, clearing lane, slashing, penetrating, opening wide, near post, far post “Where The Trails Of Passion And Purpose Meet, Begins The Path To Victory.”

7. System(s) of Play IV. Benefits of 4-2-2-2 A. Enjoyment - Big Small Sided Game B. Difficult for Opponents to Adjust To C. Effective D. Excellent System to Teach Out of E. Consistent with Rush Way of Teaching and Playing 1. With Freedom, Comes Responsibility 2. Movement/Activity 3. Technically Proficient “Where The Trails Of Passion And Purpose Meet, Begins The Path To Victory.”

8. Rush Way to Play • Purpose • Develop Consistency in our Player Development • 1. In our Coaches • 2. In our Players • a. Can this be consistent throughout the country? • B. Throughout the world? • B. Win “Where The Trails Of Passion And Purpose Meet, Begins The Path To Victory.”

9. Rush Way to Play II. Rush Way to Play Defined A. From Document 305 123 – RUSH WAY TO PLAY The Rush Way to Play is based upon movement and activity by both player and ball. Possession-oriented does not fully describe how we play; attack-oriented does. Whether in possession or in defense, we are attacking. Rush Players play with freedom yet understand the importance of responsibility and the balance between the two. Rush teams are flexible and adapt to varying circumstances. The Rush Way to Play represents both passion and purpose. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uexrNcsTUtw&feature=related “Where The Trails Of Passion And Purpose Meet, Begins The Path To Victory.”

10. Rush Way to Play II. Rush Way to Play Defined A. From Document 305 123 – RUSH WAY TO PLAY The Rush Way to Play is based upon movement and activity by both player and ball. Possession-oriented does not fully describe how we play; attack-oriented does. Whether in possession or in defense, we are attacking. Rush Players play with freedom yet understand the importance of responsibility and the balance between the two. Rush teams are flexible* and adapt to varying circumstances. The Rush Way to Play represents both passion and purpose. *Not Stubborn! “Where The Trails Of Passion And Purpose Meet, Begins The Path To Victory.”

11. Rush Way to Play • II. Rush Way to Play Defined (cont.) • - by Lindsey Horan, U16 Nike Girl, U18 Nat’l Team • What is the style of play for CO Rush? LH: Boot it up and chase it. Okay, We play soccer. We pass to go forward and attack, and combine. We play together. • 2. Is the style the same for U16NG? LH: Yes (Sometimes). • 3. When is it not the same? LH: When we’re not playing as a team. “Where The Trails Of Passion And Purpose Meet, Begins The Path To Victory.”

12. Rush Way to Play II. Rush Way to Play Defined (cont.) - by Lindsey Horan, U16 Nike Girl, U18 Nat’l Team 4. How do you create goals as a team? LH: We combine, we pass to attack, as a team and look for goal. 5. Is there a difference in style between the 16NG, Club and W-League team? LH: No. 6. Two critical qualities necessary to play our style: LH: Attitude/Mentality and Play Smart. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LS1TgoF8htg&feature=related “Where The Trails Of Passion And Purpose Meet, Begins The Path To Victory.”

13. Rush Way to Play II. Rush Way to Play Defined (cont.) B. PASSION, MOVEMENT, FREEDOM AND RESPONSIBILITY http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vgrtX89eApM&feature=related http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OlOWssPvgJI “Where The Trails Of Passion And Purpose Meet, Begins The Path To Victory.”

14. Rush Way to Play II. Rush Way to Play Defined (cont.) C. Mentality - Competitive, Determined, Winner D. Personality - Be Who You Are (Be the Best of Who You Are) “Where The Trails Of Passion And Purpose Meet, Begins The Path To Victory.”

15. Rush Way to Play III. Coaches Role A. Technical Directors – Accountability and Instruction B. Directors of Coaching – Lead by Example C. Communication from DOC’s to Head Coaches D. Winning vs. Development 1. Timing: Coaches Pick Your Battles 2. Winning is a Part of Development “Where The Trails Of Passion And Purpose Meet, Begins The Path To Victory.”

16. Rush Way to Play IV. Relevant Documents A. 305 53 – 4-4-2 (WITH A BOX) DIAGRAM B. 305 54 – 4-4-2 (WITH A BOX) FORMATION C. 305 123 – RUSH WAY TO PLAY D. 305 124 – RUSH WAY TO TEACH E. 305 125 – RUSH WAY TO PLAY – DETAILS F. 305 127 – STYLES OF PLAY “Where The Trails Of Passion And Purpose Meet, Begins The Path To Victory.”