In recent years, the term ‘culture’ has become something of a buzzword in football. In the context of any sports team, it can be defined as a measure of the observable behaviours that are promoted and accepted within the group. For many coaches, creating an environment that demands high standards is central to their priorities
In order to achieve the objective of progressing the ball into the spaces close to the opponent’s goal, a central element of any game model must involve the consistent creation of forward passing lanes. As we will see, an attacking team’s basic build-up structure can help to maximise the number of quality options ahead of
With the volume of documentaries, interviews and training videos that get released nowadays, insights into the daily workings of top football clubs are becoming more accessible. However, the sheer number of options can make it difficult to find genuinely worthwhile content. This article will recommend some quality documentaries for football coaches, analysts and fans.
During their incredible 2018/19 campaign, Erik ten Hag’s Ajax represented football at it’s most intelligent. Of course, he hasn’t reinvented the wheel; much of his philosophy has been inspired by the likes of Johan Cruyff and Pep Guardiola. However, he isn’t a replica of his role models either and has been brave enough to apply
Given the relentless pace at which top level football is played nowadays, players often try to second guess their opponents. Much like a goalkeeper attempting to save a penalty, defenders regularly try to predict what their opponent’s next move will be in order to provide a reaction before it’s too late. While it’s an understandable
Quite often, coaches whose philosophies are more ‘defence-minded’ will get criticism from fans and pundits. The likes of Jose Mourinho and Rafa Benitez have come under such scrutiny during their careers, especially while at clubs whose supporters identify with a more offensive approach. Most football fans would like their team’s to be offensive and positive
A key part of Pep Guardiola’s philosophy, there are a wide range of methods through which a free player can be created in the attacking phases. The benefits of having an unmarked player in each stage of possession are clear, with retention and progression of the play becoming far more seamless. However, achieving it isn’t