Style of Football: NPL v UK

Now, let’s talk about style of play — because the way the game is played in Non-League football here in England is very different to what you’ll see in the NPL back in Australia.

Non-League is all about being direct. It’s long balls, it’s physical battles, it’s no-nonsense football.  The focus is on getting the ball forward quickly, winning second balls, and competing hard in every challenge. It’s intense, it’s fast, and it demands physical strength and resilience.

Compare that to the NPL in Australia, where the game is much more technical. Teams want to play out from the back, keep the ball moving, and build through possession. The mindset is very different.

I’ll give you an example from my own experience. I was in a Step 4 team in a relegation battle, When I was playing left back over here, I was literally only told to play the ball down the channel — between the opposition right back and centre back. Playing it around the back simply wasn’t an option. That’s how direct the game is.

Another moment really stood out to me: I won a free kick on halfway, and my instinct — coming from a more technical background — was to take it quickly and keep the game flowing. Straight away I was shouted at. Why? Because in those situations, even on the halfway line, the expectation is to put everyone in the box and float the ball in. That’s the culture. That’s the Non-League style.

Now, it’s worth saying this: the higher you go, the more technical it gets. Especially in Step 4 and Step 3, the game is very direct, but once you get to the top end of Step 3 and into Step 2, and maybe in Step 4 you start to see more teams trying to play football the “right” way. The top Step 3 sides, in particular, do mix in more technical play. But at the lower levels, it’s definitely about being direct first and foremost.

So for players making the move, that’s the biggest adjustment. In the NPL, it’s about technical football and possession. In Non-League, it’s about being direct, competing physically, and playing the percentages. If you can adapt — and then add your technical ability on top — that’s when you really stand out.