FC Viking Saturday Team Philosophy & Core Values

FC VIKING SATURDAY TEAM PHILOSOPHY

WHO WE ARE? FC Viking are a club with three teams based in the Norwich and Norfolk area. Formed in 2016, bucking the trend of failing grassroots football clubs, FC Viking is growing. Heading into their fourth season that has seen the Sunday First team move into the second highest Division of Sunday football that Norfolk FA have to offer, FC Viking have formed a Saturday team, playing at the Norfolk FA owned, FDC Open Academy. This document is to set out the team philosophy for the Saturday team.

CORE CLUB VALUES To provide one of the best run clubs possible, particularly in terms of finance. To encourage players with the right attitude, rather than to take players purely on ability. Enjoyment and winning go hand in hand. We provide minutes for players on match day if players turn up. The club is inclusive. Nobody will be made to feel uncomfortable because of who they are. We are ambitious. In three years, we have formed three teams. We aim to grow further.

TRAINING It is clear from the feedback from the squad that training is to form a huge part of who we are going forward. Coaching was one of the biggest points that was raised in the survey, with 80% of players wanting to be coached and improved rather than just turn up and play games for the sake of playing football. Over half of the squad believe that training should impact selection on match day. Meaning those that show up and put the effort in deserve to be rewarded. Whilst I agree with that, the managers discretion must be adhered to if I feel that there is a better chance of winning a game with a certain player in the team than somebody who with lesser ability but constantly attends training, I have to do what I feel is right to get the result. This was another outcome of the survey.

WE ARE HERE TO WIN This may seem like an obvious statement, but some teams are formed just to play football because players enjoy it and don t mind what the result is. Some players tend to gravitate to teams just so they can get fit and they choose football because they know it. This team overwhelmingly stated that they were here to win games, leagues and trophies. Therefore, we need to develop a culture that supports that.

TEAM PHILOSOPHY We will be sticking with the 4-1-4-1 formation for the time being. By the end of the season, I expect us to be playing 3-5-2 as our plan B, or if successful, our plan A. I want the team to play attractive attacking football in possession. This means keeping the ball on the floor and passing our way out from the back. This is not an exclusive if there are no options but to play it long, I can accept that. This requires movement and support from the midfield. In attacking areas, I would like the team to penetrate the opposition quickly, balls through the defence, around the wings and over the top. Our midfield is where our team is strongest, and where I expect us to win our matches. In transition, I expect us to open the pitch up and look to play the ball forward as quickly as possible and counter attack. In losing the ball, I expect us to be compact as quickly as possible.

TEAM PHILOSOPHY Out of possession, I expect the team to press high up the pitch. The striker and wingers should chase and pressure the defence, showing them to play wide. In midfield, I expect one to drop in and protect the back four, whilst the other two look to win the ball back. This requires two energetic midfielders working together with a clear method of achieving this objective not just running around like headless chickens. In defence, I again expect the opposition to be shown into wide areas. I expect all players to stay on their feet and not dive into tackles that they cannot win. At corners, I want the team to be comfortable with zonal marking rather than man-marking. Enabling a quick reaction to opposition corners and each player knowing their job.

GOING FORWARD - TRAINING Going forward, it will be expected that players attend training as often as possible. Not attending training may harm your chances of starting in the team every week. It is impossible to develop a team if only half that team can be developed. We cannot work on the above philosophy incorporating set pieces, shapes, formations, communication and all the other things that come with being a unit if only half the team know what we are doing. I do not expect everybody there, every week. But I do expect effort and commitment to at least be there twice a month. In return, I promise to structure actual coaching sessions that will better you as an individual and make sure that this team has an identity. Each week I will have written a plan for each session with a clear outcome in mind to help us achieve the philosophy set out above.

GOING FORWARD MATCH DAYS All players are expected to show up at the time provided on the app. No player will leave the changing room until all players have changed. We will have our team talk in the changing room, before we go out and warm up as a team not just boot the ball at the goalkeeper. There will be a fine system introduced that will go toward the End Of Season Awards. The collection for these fines will be nominated to one of the players, who will be in charge of collecting, chasing and storing the fines money.

GOING FORWARD FINES Late Fee - 1- Turn up on time. Act like you are part of the team. No Show - 3.50/ 5 - if your name is down and you fail to show, you will pay subs for taking someone else s place. Turning up hungover to the point it effects player performance - 2 - It s your own fault you played crap, don t inflict it on the team. Missing/unfit kit - 1 per item exception for those waiting on kit delivery Sin Bin Fine - if you gob off and get the team put down to ten men, it s a 1 fine and 50p for any goals conceded in that period. Shouting 'MINE' or challenging for a header with a team mate - 0.50 per instance We all know our own names, shout it. Foul Throw - 0.50 per instance Keep both feet on the floor and throw from behind your head it's not difficult Walking into the changing rooms before pitch (including opposition technical area) is tidied up - 1 Smashing the ball at the keeper before warming up - 1 Not showing up to the pub for a singular drink after a match - 1 It doesn t take much, even if it s just a coke to spend some time with your mates! Setting availability after Thursday 10am - 1 I would like to release the team on Thursday. If you don t know what you are doing on Saturday by then, you re just holding everyone else back!