FC Portland Game Model

What is a Game Model?

At FC Portland Academy, we believe in the process of developing all players within our club. We believe in maintaining standards and having a process for how we do things on the practice field.

A Club Game Model is a pathway of steps in sequence to guide development over a period of time. In youth soccer, the focus should be player development, and planning for training in all stages of the player's growth. We believe it is a frame work for accountability and aligning training, games and programs, and also an expression of a philosophy and style of play for an organization.

Is a Game Model important?

Yes! Without a Game Model, clubs, coaches and players will have no systems or strategies, the game will be defined by many random plays. It provides a teaching structure and an aligned vision within the club for all coaches to follow and implement during training sessions and games. It allows the club to move in a unified direction with a vision on how all players should develop and how our teams should play. 

What is in the FC Portland Game Model?

Our Club Game Model is built up from the four moments of the game. Each moment of the game contains principles, sub-principles and sub-sub principles that dictate how this philosophy is accomplished in each moment of the game.

Attack -> Defensive Transition -> Defense -> Attacking Transition

The FC Portland Game Model has three variations that we label as "Club Blueprints"

1. A Coaches Blueprint - This is a more in depth tactical blueprint for coaches to better understand the club's style of play and methodology. It also includes multiple practice sessions that are created in line with our style of play.
2. A Players Blueprint - This version covers topics such as systems of play and player specific roles within a team, for example: roles and duties of a #6.
3. A Parents Blueprint - This is a condensed version of the two blueprints above. It gives parents a clear understanding of what FC Portland's style of play is, our methodology and what our development pathway looks like.