The First Attacker: Player Under Pressure

Who Is This Course For?

Professional Coaches
Youth Academy Coaches
Academy Managers
Heads of Methodology
Heads of Player Development

Why Choose this Course?

At APFC, we believe that the game is complex, and the best way to simplify it is by understanding it as a single, interconnected unit where roles and situations are constantly changing. Players must learn to recognize different scenarios and contexts to make the best decisions on the pitch.

This course is designed to help you better understand the various situations a player may encounter during a game, focusing on the role of the first attacker, also known as the possessor. We’ve identified key concepts that help players solve the different situations that arise during the game.

The game situations and concepts you’ll learn in this course focus on decision-making and execution with the ball, and they are structured so you can apply them directly with your players, creating an immediate impact on their individual performance and, in turn, improving the collective performance of the team.

Are you ready to unlock the true potential of your players in high-pressure moments, or will you let those opportunities slip away?

Course Curriculum

Introduction: The First Player Role(5:39)
Chapter 1: Attack the Ball(11:03)
Chapter 2: Let the Ball Roll(7:14)
Chapter 3: Play what you see(12:53)
Chapter 4: Protect the Ball(8:47)
Chapter 5: Dribble while Protecting(10:35)
Chapter 6: Shadow Pass(11:51)

What you’ll Learn:

The role of the First Attacker (Possessor) and how it influences the game.
Tactical Superiority: Gain insights into advanced offensive strategies that will set your team apart from the competition.
Discover the Hidden Advantages: Grasp the potential opportunities that arise in high-pressure situations.
Master the Game-Changing Actions: Dive into the 6 pivotal actions that can transform problems into solutions.
Elevate Player Performance: Gain precise coaching points tailored to enhance player performance. Guide your team with clarity and confidence.
Apply concepts that create immediate on-pitch impact in both training and matches.

“APFC offers elite content for coaches on Positional Play and game understanding. Highly recommended courses and content for all levels.”

Lluis Cortés

Former FC Barcelona Women’s Coach and Saudi Arabia women’s National Team

“APFC has a huge capacity and a big experience with the formation and development of football players.”

Carles Planchart

Manchester City First Team Performance Analysis Coach

“The content in the APFC Next course is valuable for any coach looking to elevate their understanding on how to build a game model and how positional play is effectively used.”

Fabrice Gautrat

Head Coach of Houston Dash NWSL

“Each APFC course offers insightful content for coaches for all levels looking to grow their knowledge of positional playing style and improve their team’s overall performance.”

Emma Thomson

Assistant Coach NC Courage NWSL

“APFC delivers individual player concepts and team development principles in a simplified, logical, and highly effective way. Their courses are easy to follow yet rich in knowledge, insight, and clarity.”

Kenneth Thompson

KTECH Head Coach & Bermuda National Team

“I learned a lot about Positional Play from the fundamentals to the different concepts. I take courses from APFC and they are pioneers in how they teach the topic. Highly recommended.”

Yosi Raz

Head Coach of UC Irvine Men’s Soccer Program

“When I first connected with APFC, I expected to learn new training exercises and session ideas. What I didn’t expect was for them to completely change the way I see and teach the game.”

Giorgi Manzula

OJB FC Sporting Director & Yavapai College Men’s Soccer Head Coach

“The coaches asked to bring APFC for the second time to present the hosted coaching course. It was a helpful and well received course.”

Ryan Rich

National Capital Soccer League Executive Director