Positional Playbook
Our 4-3-3
How we play, position by position. Read your number, know your cues — this is the shared language for how FC Wichita attacks, defends, and reacts.
How we play, position by position. Read your number, know your cues — this is the shared language for how FC Wichita attacks, defends, and reacts.
The moment we win the ball, our first thought is forward. If there's space in behind, we go quick and vertical before the opponent resets.
The moment we lose the ball, the closest players react immediately and counter-press to win it back fast, before they can settle.
If the quick transition isn't on, we don't force it. We keep the ball, move the opponent side to side, and probe patiently until a gap opens.
You're the extra man in build-up. Check your shoulders before you receive. Split the center backs or find the wide out-ball — don't just play the safe sideways pass when there's no pressure on you.
Organize the back line immediately — call out who's exposed. Because our line plays with some height, be alert for the ball played in behind.
If we win it back deep or high, get the ball moving fast — a quick throw or roll can start the break before the opponent resets.
Sweep behind the back line, talk constantly, and be ready to close down any through ball.
Split wide enough to receive from the keeper. Be brave enough to step into midfield when the space opens. Your first look is forward — into the 6 or a line-breaking pass to an 8/10 — before you go sideways.
Your first job is to stop the counter, not win the ball back yourself. The nearest of you steps up to delay; the other drops to cover the space behind. Delay — don't dive in.
If a line is open, play the quick vertical pass to start the break. If it's not on, hold your position and let the possession phase build around you.
Stay compact with the 6 in front of you. Control the height of the line together as a pair — step and drop on the same call.
Give us width. Overlap or underlap depending on where your winger is. Be an outlet when the central options are pressed.
Recognize the counter-press trigger right away. If the ball is near you, hunt it. If it's far side, tuck in and cover the middle.
If we win the ball wide, sprint forward immediately to support the break down your line.
Track the winger or runner in your zone. Don't get isolated 1v1 without cover — stay connected to your center back.
Stay available on the half-turn. Screen the back four and dictate our tempo — know when to speed the game up and when to slow it down.
You're the first line of our counter-press. Close the nearest passing lane immediately and force the opponent backward or wide — buy time for the front three to recover.
You're the pivot point. Receive and release quickly to start the break, or recycle possession if the break isn't there yet.
Screen the space between the lines and protect the back four. Step to cut off any pass into the 9.
Support both the build-up and the front three. Find the pockets between the opponent's lines, and arrive late into the box when the moment is right.
Whichever of you is closest counter-presses immediately — the goal is winning it back fast. Your partner covers the space you leave behind.
You're the engine of the break. Sprint beyond the ball to support the front three as the extra runner.
Track the opposing central midfielders and help close passing lanes through the middle. Balance who steps and who holds.
Stay wide to stretch the field and create a 1v1 threat. Cut inside when your fullback overlaps outside you.
You're part of our first press. Cut off the passing lane back to their fullback and force play inside, into traffic.
You're the first runner in behind when we win the ball high or in transition — sprint the channel immediately, don't wait to check to feet.
Track back to help your fullback when the opponent has sustained possession, but stay ready to spring the moment we win it.
Check your movement to open passing lanes. Hold up play when needed, link with the 8 and 10, and be the target for the direct ball forward.
You lead the press. Be first to react, cut off the easiest pass back to their center back or keeper, and use your body shape to direct where our press pushes them.
Be the furthest man immediately — stretch their last line. You're the first target when we transition quickly.
Control the tempo of their build-up with your cover shadow. Pick a side and force their play that direction.
| # | Core Cue |
|---|---|
| 1 | Talk first, save second. |
| 4 / 5 | Delay, don't dive. |
| 2 / 3 | Ball near, press. Ball far, tuck. |
| 6 | You're the release valve. |
| 8 / 10 | First five seconds — win it back. |
| 7 / 11 | You're our first defender. |
| 9 | Your press sets the trap. |
Tap or click anywhere on the pitch to drop the ball, then toggle the mode to see how we'd shift to react to it.