In 2012, when I took over as Director of Coaching of what was then called CRUFA (Columbia River United FA) I had a vision of implementing a club-wide philosophy and methodology. We re-branded the club Barcelona Oregon and began educating coaches, parents, and players about the concepts of total football and positional play. We mandated all teams play the 4-3-3 with a single pivot (or related small-sided formation), but more importantly, all teams must play a possession-oriented, attacking style of play.
Some key concepts:
- Receiving across your body
- Spacing
- Playing out of the back
- Playing through the lines
- Switching the point of attack (circulate the ball)
- Numerical advantage in attack
- Attacking outside backs
- Losing your mark (older teams)
- HIGH PRESSURE DEFENSE
Starting in Winter of 2013 we hosted a coaching clinic with Brian Kleiban (3FOUR3), sent coaches to Barcelona to observe training and games at FC Barcelona’s La Masia in Spring of 2013 and 2014, and conducted our own in house coaching clinics periodically. Coaches that did not buy in were let go. We built a small staff of knowledgeable and passionate coaches that have fully committed to the club philosophy and methodology.
In the last year we have had a large club try (unsuccessfully) to recruit one of our coaches and his entire team. One of our 1997 boys made the Timbers U16 academy roster, and one of our 2002 girls has been heavily recruited to play on a nearby 2000 ECNL team. With the Timbers now forming a U13/U14 academy team, we expect interest in some of the players from our marquee 2000 boys team.
The video below highlights what we were able to do in year one. These clips are from Fall 2013 and Winter 2014. Keep in mind we are one of the smaller clubs in our area, and certainly do not have the “best” players around. No excuses, we still get it done.
Christopher Cramer 