By Neil Connor | First-draft game model, version 1.2

I have completed the first draft of my personal game model, Controlled Chaos. It brings together how I want players to attack, defend, react when possession changes and approach restarts, alongside how I want those ideas to be coached and reviewed.

The starting point is positional freedom with shared responsibility. Players can leave their starting positions when teammates adjust the passing options and protect the spaces they leave. The freedom depends on what the team can support together.

A starting shape gives us a reference

The model uses a 4-4-2 reference, an opposition 4-3-3 and a 4-5-1 organised defensive shape. Those references provide shared language. Players still have to recognise the situation in front of them and fulfil the nearest necessary responsibility.

In possession, I want players to recognise and use forward opportunities. Through, around, over and carry are available solutions. Which one helps us depends on the opposition’s behaviour and the support around the ball.

GO, HOLD or RECONNECT

One worked example follows the decision of a centre-back, our 4, to continue forward.

GO is available when the receiver can secure possession and see a next action. At the same time, 5 covers across, 2 narrows and 6 screens. The team accounts for the opponents’ most advanced players and the goalkeeper before committing.

HOLD becomes appropriate when the protection is not ready. In the illustrated situation, their 7 remains high on the side 4 would leave, while their 9 occupies the central cover. Holding means remaining useful underneath the ball while teammates account for those threats. It does not mean becoming passive.

RECONNECT applies when the advantage disappears. We use the available support, restore cover and preserve useful options. That means returning to the responsibilities the game needs, rather than automatically returning to an original shirt-number position.

These examples show possible decisions. They do not guarantee that a passing lane or free player will remain available.

The responsibility continues when possession changes

On losing possession, the nearest player pressures the ball to disrupt the opponent’s first action. Others close passing routes, protect central space and cover depth. If the first pressure is beaten, the team delays and recovers together.

On regaining possession, we assess the forward opportunity immediately. An advantage may allow a carry, a forward-facing teammate or a runner beyond pressure. If immediate progression is blocked, support can secure the ball and help create the next opportunity.

The draft also includes organised defending and restarts. Across those moments, the question remains how players connect their next action with the responsibilities around them.

Coaching the decision

Practices need realistic opposition and transitions. Players should be able to carry, combine, switch or play directly according to the opportunity.

I want to clarify the intention and shared responsibilities, use questions or a brief demonstration, then allow players to test their own solutions. Removing special conditions helps us check whether that learning remains available beyond the practice rule.

What I want to review

Evaluation needs to look at more than whether a move ends successfully. Did the player recognise when to carry, combine or switch? Did teammates adjust their passing options and cover the responsibilities left behind? After a regain, was an early forward opportunity recognised before the opposition recovered?

Selected clips, observation and player discussion can help separate the decision, its execution and its outcome. From there, we can agree a priority for the next practice while keeping the principles consistent.

This is a first draft. I want it to be tested through the quality of the decisions it helps players make, and adapted as the team develops.

What would you look for before allowing a centre-back to continue forward, and what would tell you to hold or reconnect?

Explore my football development and leadership work: https://coachneilconnor.com