Interviews
In Part Two of our exclusive interview, set-piece specialist Michael Mackin explains match-day adjustments, defensive structures, short corners, second phases, delivery choices and why set-piece education must improve at academy level.
Tactical Theory
This Tactical Theory session uses three progressive practices to improve wide-area defending, helping full-backs and wingers prevent overloads, delay attacks, protect space, support midfield cover and defend crosses more effectively.
Tactical Theory
Few players can boast the longevity of having matched up against both Diego Maradona and Cristiano Ronaldo. Though he played in a different era, Il Capitano's brilliance on the pitch leaves us with timeless lessons in defending.
Tactical Theory
In this tactical theory piece, we unveil the advantages and disadvantages of a certain attacking strategy on a group tactical level. As many sides attempt to force the opposition out wide when defending, any team will face the challenge of finding a way to either break through on the wing
Interviews
In Part One of our exclusive interview, set-piece specialist Michael Mackin explains his coaching principles, how he designs routines, identifies player roles, improves delivery, structures match-week preparation and uses opposed training to make set-pieces transfer into matches.
Tactical Theory
Overloading to isolate is a tactical concept utilised by many coaches, including Pep Guardiola of Manchester City in the Premier League and Erik ten Hag, formerly of Manchester United and Ajax. This technique involves overloading one side of the pitch to drag the majority of the opposition to that side,
Tactical Theory
Pressing has become one of the most influential tactical concepts in modern football, but it is also one of the most misunderstood. Many coaches attribute the success of pressing to players' fitness or their courage to advance towards the opponent, while matches at the highest level reveal that pressing
Tactical Theory
What Is A High Line In Football? A high defensive line is a tactic that allows teams to press whilst keeping the distances between their lines tight, preventing them from being played through. When done effectively, it can suffocate opposition teams, especially those with a possession-based playing style. However,
Tactical Theory
In modern-day football, teams expect to come up against compact defensive blocks designed to crowd the central areas of the pitch. When the opposition prioritises preventing teams from building the play through the middle, attacking from the wide areas is often the most efficient route to goal. Based on
Tactical Theory
What Is Low Block Defending? Low block defending, where a team is set up to defend in their shape with numbers behind the ball in their own defensive third, is seen in almost every game of modern football. This can be part of a deliberate strategy to sit deep and
Tactical Theory
What Is A 4-4-2 Mid-Block? The 4-4-2 mid-block is an out-of-possession strategy that features a flat back four, a midfield four, and two central forwards. The set-up has three clear defensive lines occupying the middle third of the pitch. The primary
Tactical Theory
Possession exercises are a well-used tool for coaches and are common in training sessions at all levels of the game. Increasingly, these football training exercises replicate real game scenarios rather than generic setups and rules designed primarily to work on the technical elements of keeping possession. By adding the