Reader,
Without a doubt, the beauty in football is how it can be played in so many ways, with different styles, tactics, shapes and philosophies.
In the age of “Ange Ball” or “De Zerbi Ball” combined with the legacy of Pep and Cruyff, plus a game that is getting quicker all the time, I have been wrestling with the question of how much formations truly matter.
Perhaps rather than focussing on our structure in and out of possession, it’s about how we exploit the transition moments to our advantage?
Fundamentally, I believe football is a game of space. Therefore, if we can support players to develop attributes such as receiving and releasing the ball with real quality, or confidence to retain the ball and rip the game open with individual moments of skill, disguise and deception, formations perhaps become less important.
There’s no doubt that for all of us who coach, understanding and implementing a game plan is one of the most satisfying parts of football coaching. As the season down under draws to a close, I have been reflecting on recent success with my playing group and wondering what was it that made the difference in moments that matter.
The flip side of course, is that when young players are learning the game, exposing them to different tactical approaches can enhance their game understanding. Too often we’ve seen clubs or governing bodies restrict teams to one shape as they move through the age groups, but whether it’s 7v7 or 9v9 and other game formats, we need to be mindful that to help kids understand the game, they need a variety of experiences.
So what do you think? I’d love to understand other coaches’ views on this, and what your club or school does to support player’s game understanding? Hit reply to this email and let me know.
Three things to consider.
- Do you focus on supporting every individual to develop their skills as best they can? Or is it a team first approach?
- Do you allow players to choose their formation or team shape?
- Do you have a style of play that is flexible across a variety of formations?
One thing for you to try this week.
Ask your players what their favourite formation is and why? Consider letting them choose what formation they play this weekend and then reflect on what they learned.
One critical resource on the topic.
For those working with foundation phase aged players (8-12 year olds), check out this PDP Guide on 7v7 formations.
