Team Tactics PDF

This manual is designed to introduce you to a wide selection of Fundamental and Advanced Tactical principles for effective team performances such as Systems of Play, Attacking Team Tactics, Defensive Team Tactics, Small Group Tactics, Attacking Restarts and Set-Play’s, Defensive Restarts and Set-Play’s.

Use of the feet and (to a lesser extent) the legs to control and pass the ball is football’s most basic skill.

Heading the ball is particularly prominent when receiving long aerial passes.

Since the game’s origins, players have displayed their individual skills by going on “solo runs” or dribbling the ball past outwitted opponents.

But football is essentially a team game based on passing between team members.

The basic playing styles and skills of individual players reflect their respective playing positions. Goalkeepers require agility and height to reach and block the ball when opponents shoot at goal.

Central defenders have to challenge the direct attacking play of opponents; called upon to win tackles and to head the ball away from danger such as when defending corner kicks, they are usually big and strong.

Fullbacks are typically smaller but quicker, qualities required to match speedy wing-forwards. Midfield players (also called halfs or halfbacks) operate across the middle of the field and may have a range of qualities: powerful “ball-winners” need to be “good in the tackle” in terms of winning or protecting the ball and energetic runners; creative “playmakers” develop scoring chances through their talent at holding the ball and through accurate passing.

Wingers tend to have good speed, some dribbling skills, and the ability to make crossing passes that travel across the front of goal and provide scoring opportunities for forwards.

Forwards can be powerful in the air or small and penetrative with quick footwork; essentially, they should be adept at scoring goals from any angle.

Tactics reflect the importance of planning for matches.

Tactics create a playing system that links a team’s formation to a particular style of play (such as attacking or counterattacking, slow or quick tempo, short or long passing, teamwork or individualistic play).

Team formations do not count the goalkeeper and enumerate the deployment of players by position, listing defenders first, then midfielders, and finally attackers (for example, 4-4-2 or 2-3-5).

The earliest teams played in attack-oriented formations (such as 1-1-8 or 1-2-7) with strong emphasis on individual dribbling skills.

In the late 19th century, the Scots introduced the passing game, and Preston North End created the more cautious 2-3-5 system.

Although the English were associated with a cruder kick-and-rush style, teamwork and deliberate passing were evidently the more farsighted aspects of an effective playing system as playing skills and tactical acumen increased.