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
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
Tactical Theory
Defending crosses is one of the most detailed tactical analysis topics, with numerous differences between different teams and coaches' ideas. The details of defending crosses begin with each defender's ability to either mark an attacker or cover a specific space. It differs from defending with either four
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