Tactical Theory
Not too long ago, Pep Guardiola said that football is no longer about the positional approach in the modern world. "It is about rhythm," he added before pointing to the likes of Brighton and Bournemouth, who he believes are currently playing this modern brand of football. By referring
Tactical Theory
The days of the classic "big and small" striker duo or the "act 1 and act 2" partnerships were once a staple of football, especially in English leagues. These partnerships combined different strengths, like power, skill, flair, and goal-scoring ability, to great effect. Think of
Tactical Theory
Counter-attacking remains one of the most effective attacking strategies in modern football. By exploiting the moments immediately after regaining possession, teams can attack against an unbalanced defensive structure, create numerical advantages, and generate high-quality scoring opportunities with relatively few passes. While many coaches focus heavily on possession-based
Tactical Theory
The “art of defending” is something pundits like to claim has been lost in recent years. Whilst some “street-wise” elements may have left the game, along with changes in how games are managed by referees, defending now is arguably far more intricate than ever before. In addition to being
Tactical Theory
The act of receiving the ball to feet has become almost second nature. From grassroots football to the professional elite, this pass-to-feet dynamic has evolved into the base unit of build-up play. In this tactical theory piece, we will examine how this stylistic evolution is reshaping attacking
Tactical Theory
Rondo and possession exercises are now staples in most modern football coaches' repertoires. They can, and should, be used throughout the season. However, they can be particularly useful to coaches during pre-season as a way to break down the components of a particular game model while providing enough
Tactical Theory
A team’s chances of success in modern football rely heavily on the qualities of their holding midfielder. Especially in the build-up phase, the ‘6’ becomes a de facto quarterback whose movements and decisions impact every other player. Technique, movement and tactical understanding are the core attributes that determine
Tactical Theory
In this tactical theory, we will focus on a training session that aims to create opportunities for players to work on attacking transition principles. We will encourage them to initially seek to break lines and play forward into players who have support. However, we will also encourage them to recognise