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Once you’ve got the technique down, you can move on to the portion of the game that involves where you are and what you’re doing on the pitch in relation to everyone else, anticipating what is going to happen, where the ball is going to go, what runs people are going to make, and finally deciding which decisions to make. You're ready to develop your Tactical Intelligence. Let me be your guide as I walk you through the main factors of Tactical Intelligence that I’ve learned throughout my career. Now you don’t need to depend on learning and gaining experience as you age, you can learn it all here, and just go out and implement it! How’s that for awesome? All it will take is for you to make sure you’re studying this stuff, and apply it. If you actively experiment with it, you’ll be on your way to mastery. Here are my top four factors of Tactical Intelligence
Let's explore! 1. Positioning Let's build from the very basics: What is positioning in soccer? Soccer has many different places designated for a person on your team to be during the game. This depends on a players specific tasks or roles within the team. Knowing your role on the field will let you play your part within your teams tactics. When you play your part well, you'll make smarter decisions, utilize your energy reserves properly, and support the run of play in order for your team to complete it's objective (which would ultimately be scoring goals + winning the game!). So what are the roles? Depending on your role, you'd be put into one of these broad categories: Goalkeeper, Defender, Midfielder, or Forward. And once you've got that covered, you'll be placed into your more specific position, whether it be in the center, on the outside, more offensive or holding. It will all depend on your coaches formation (4-4-2, 4-2-3-1, etc.) The traditional formation would have been a 4-4-2 and now most pro teams are sitting at a 4-2-3-1. Which looks something like this!  Let's break it down a bit by the numbers that represent the positions, shall we? I'd suggest checking out what your top 2-3 positions would be, and then read the roles of the immediate players around you. That way, you can get a feel for their responsibilities and how they're likely to act on and off the ball.
Okay so you might have a preference of where you like to play, and you might not be given the opportunity in that position. If your coach isn't giving you that chance, you need to understand that playing different positions is one of the best things for your growth. If you want to be a striker, there might only be 1 in the formation (like the one above!). You may get put in a fullback or center back, it's not the end of the world, it's a positive thing if you really think about it! It's an opportunity to grow in a different way, its an opportunity for you to get your chance, because these positions are all really important. So maybe you can't make it as the best striker on your team, you can still strive to be the best fullback of the league. It's great for your development. #ownit If you're stuck asking yourself which position should you play, the best way to answer is by first looking at your skills, and then asking which position you *want* to play. Then, look at what skills are required of that position and start developing those skills. Communicate with your coach and let them know you're working on _____ (insert important skill) and if there's ever an opportunity, you'd love it. Ways to improve:
2. Team Strategy The tactics of a team will determine the strength of a team. It's the bedrock of the playing style and philosophy of play that your team will put into action on the pitch. You definitely need to understand your role on the field (Read or re-read Factor #1 on Positioning if you have to!) and in addition to that, you've got to figure out where your teammates are, what their roles are, and then how you can best serve your team while keeping in mind the positioning of yourself + teammates. You might want to go back to that blog and read ALL of the positions, so you get a feel for what each player is doing on your team. Work as a unit + trust one another Whether you're a part of the defensive or offensive unit (More details on these to come!), you're going to have to work together and work for each other and work off one another. Metaphorically, in a functional relationship, you have to be able to depend on your partner when you need them, and you can lean on him/her when times are hard for you and you're struggling. On the pitch you've got to have faith in your teammate. You need to be able to trust your unit to be there for you, whether that's giving you an outlet pass when you have the ball, or telling you about an opponent behind you. More importantly, YOU need to be that support for your teammates. You need to help lift them up while pushing them to peak performance. This involves being aware of your teammates strengths and weaknesses, and assisting them in these areas when needed. You think Navy SEALs or Marines don't know their squads positioning + attributes? They have that stuff memorized, so that when they're in combat, they almost look like they're one body, moving fluidly, to efficiently + effectively achieve their mission. #SempriFi If you don't know your team's tactics, it's a good time to sit down with your unit + coach to clarify your objectives, so that everyone is on the same page. You don't want to wait until you're out on the pitch wondering why your teammate isn't doing the same thing as you or watching your team bombing up long balls when you thought you were supposed to be keeping it on the deck. Once you have individual strength + awareness, then you can build that up with your unit, and then combine with your entire team to have a totally synched up squad who not only KNOWS what it's teammates are doing, but also TRUST one another to do it. Those are the fundamentals of team strategy + understanding. 3. Sight vs. Vision There's a difference between seeing something, and looking at something. When you see things, there is an air of passivity in the action, however when you're looking at something, it's more deliberate, your eyes get into focus, and your brain is activated on the conscious level. This is the difference I'm talking about when I differentiate between Sight and Vision. Sight involves a reaction to the surroundings, while Vision involves awareness, perception, and knowledge. Vision involves anticipation. In football, it's really important to constantly be looking around the field, scanning for information that you can use to your advantage in the current or next play. This ability to read the game is called anticipation. Anticipation is a mix of prediction and expectation. Developing this handy tool will help you in all areas of your game. You'll be able to make smarter choices while attacking or defending, you'll be a step ahead of opponents (or with a hyper-developed level of anticipation, you'll be 5-steps ahead of your opponents *cough* Messi *cough). Whoever you are, and whichever position you're in, you've got to start building your anticipation muscle and understand that the game of football is a thinking game, and though it's great to get wrapped up in the joy of the game, or play in the moment, to be truly great, you've got to start playing ahead of the game. A simple example of this (out of soccer context) is the world of chess. You'd never see a chess master just move pieces around a board for fun, without thinking or strategizing. Every move is deliberate, thought out, meticulous. Trusting your skill and instinct is huge, yet you don't want to solely rely on that. You've got to be involved mentally, stay sharp, and make the right moves on the pitch. You can do this by figuring out where you want the ball to go (where you want to pass it) before you've even received it. This means getting your head up, on a swivel, and periscoping your available outlets prior to getting the ball. Another way to flex this muscle, in a defensive situation, is to read your opponent with the ball. Practice looking at their body language and playing style. If you're the first defender approaching a player, and you learn the person is right foot dominant, you can close him down more effectively, or force him to his weaker foot. If you're not directly closing the player down (let's say you're a defender) you can read if his hips are opening up to strike the ball over the top, so you could gain an extra second in tracking back, or getting a tackle in, or getting your foot in the way, etc. There's a lot you can do with that split second. Vision takes you to the next level of football. It's what all the pros are doing at nearly every moment of the game. Watch for this as you study your favorite players, and once you pick it up, and start practicing, you'll start to feel like the game slows down for you, and you'll be ready to take on more challenges. 4. Decision Making Do you really want to put yourself in the spotlight as a player? Do you want to show that you're a great player? Then, listen up. A SUPER secret to taking your game to the next level is advancing your proficiency in your ability to make optimal decisions. Woah, what's that really mean? Simply put ---> Get *really* good at making the best choice. It's easier said than done, but I'll break down some ideas you can obtain this soccer holy grail. For growth in this area, here are some of the best tips: Study professional football I've said it before and I'll say it again, learn from the pro's! Study the players who are top class. Learn how they tick. When you're watching a game, ask yourself (and try to answer) why do the players make certain passes and other actions on the ball? Why did they make that decision? In answering this, you'll be putting yourself into the role of the player, and in a sort of empathetic way, you're developing your brain to understand the critical thinking it takes to make the best choices. Mistake your way to success Trial and error is a great way to learn, since you're training more than you play in games, that would be a awesome time to work on your decision making. If you make a poor decision, like playing a high risk pass, try to figure out which alternatives could have been better. Did you have support behind you to retain possession? Did you forget to scan the other side of the field where a player was open/making a run? Learn from your mistakes, and and you'll quickly become more successful in choosing the best option. Add restrictions ---> +/- If you reduce the number of touches you're allowed to have on the ball, it forces you to make decisions quicker (if you don't, you're screwed! hehe). Start thinking about what to do before you have the ball. Being able to anticipate the play (see Sight vs. Vision again!) will help you destroy your opponents. As a bonus, playing quicker will improve your touch too! As a visual cue, you can write +/- on your wrist during training, and if you see it, you'll know to "add less" touches. These tips aren't going to just help you automatically become better at making decisions. It's not an overnight thing. In the long run, over time, your training to make optimal decisions will add up and improve your tactical awareness and ability as an individual. What can you commit to today? Will you watch more football + study it? Will you check in with yourself after making mistakes? Can you force yourself to become quicker in your decision making? If you want to take your game from an amateur level, to top class, decision making is a key factor. Work on it, and you'll get better!  If you want to develop your soccer career, and need help getting to the next level, go to ZakDrakeCoaching.com
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Here is Factor #4 of Tactical Intelligence  Do you really want to put yourself in the spotlight as a player? Do you want to show that you're a great player? Then, listen up. A SUPER secret to taking your game to the next level is advancing your proficiency in your ability to make optimal decisions. Woah, what's that really mean? Simply put ---> Get *really* good at making the best choice. It's easier said than done, but I'll break down some ideas you can obtain this soccer holy grail. For growth in this area, here are some of the best tips: Study professional football I've said it before and I'll say it again, learn from the pro's! Study the players who are top class. Learn how they tick. When you're watching a game, ask yourself (and try to answer) why do the players make certain passes and other actions on the ball? Why did they make that decision? In answering this, you'll be putting yourself into the role of the player, and in a sort of empathetic way, you're developing your brain to understand the critical thinking it takes to make the best choices. Mistake your way to success Trial and error is a great way to learn, since you're training more than you play in games, that would be a awesome time to work on your decision making. If you make a poor decision, like playing a high risk pass, try to figure out which alternatives could have been better. Did you have support behind you to retain possession? Did you forget to scan the other side of the field where a player was open/making a run? Learn from your mistakes, and and you'll quickly become more successful in choosing the best option. Add restrictions ---> +/- If you reduce the number of touches you're allowed to have on the ball, it forces you to make decisions quicker (if you don't, you're screwed! hehe). Start thinking about what to do before you have the ball. Being able to anticipate the play (see Sight vs. Vision) will help you destroy your opponents. As a bonus, playing quicker will improve your touch too! As a visual cue, you can write +/- on your wrist during training, and if you see it, you'll know to "add less" touches. These tips aren't going to just help you automatically become better at making decisions. It's not an overnight thing. In the long run, over time, your training to make optimal decisions will add up and improve your tactical awareness and ability as an individual. What can you commit to today? Will you watch more football + study it? Will you check in with yourself after making mistakes? Can you force yourself to become quicker in your decision making? If you want to take your game from an amateur level, to top class, decision making is a key factor. Work on it, and you'll get better! -z P.S. When in doubt, here's a handy-dandy flow chart to help you make your decisions.  Here is Factor #3 of Tactical Intelligence  There's a difference between seeing something, and looking at something. When you see things, there is an air of passivity in the action, however when you're looking at something, it's more deliberate, your eyes get into focus, and your brain is activated on the conscious level. This is the difference I'm talking about when I differentiate between Sight and Vision. Sight involves a reaction to the surroundings, while Vision involves awareness, perception, and knowledge. Vision involves anticipation. In football, it's really important to constantly be looking around the field, scanning for information that you can use to your advantage in the current or next play. This ability to read the game is called anticipation. Anticipation is a mix of prediction and expectation. Developing this handy tool will help you in all areas of your game. You'll be able to make smarter choices while attacking or defending, you'll be a step ahead of opponents (or with a hyper-developed level of anticipation, you'll be 5-steps ahead of your opponents *cough* Messi *cough). Whoever you are, and whichever position you're in, you've got to start building your anticipation muscle and understand that the game of football is a thinking game, and though it's great to get wrapped up in the joy of the game, or play in the moment, to be truly great, you've got to start playing ahead of the game.  A simple example of this (out of soccer context) is the world of chess. You'd never see a chess master just move pieces around a board for fun, without thinking or strategizing. Every move is deliberate, thought out, meticulous.
Trusting your skill and instinct is huge, yet you don't want to solely rely on that. You've got to be involved mentally, stay sharp, and make the right moves on the pitch. You can do this by figuring out where you want the ball to go (where you want to pass it) before you've even received it. This means getting your head up, on a swivel, and periscoping your available outlets prior to getting the ball. Another way to flex this muscle, in a defensive situation, is to read your opponent with the ball. Practice looking at their body language and playing style. If you're the first defender approaching a player, and you learn the person is right foot dominant, you can close him down more effectively, or force him to his weaker foot. If you're not directly closing the player down (let's say you're a defender) you can read if his hips are opening up to strike the ball over the top, so you could gain an extra second in tracking back, or getting a tackle in, or getting your foot in the way, etc. There's a lot you can do with that split second. Vision takes you to the next level of football. It's what all the pros are doing at nearly every moment of the game. Watch for this as you study your favorite players, and once you pick it up, and start practicing, you'll start to feel like the game slows down for you, and you'll be ready to take on more challenges. "See" you soon, -z Here is Factor #2 of Tactical Intelligence  The tactics of a team will determine the strength of a team. It's the bedrock of the playing style and philosophy of play that your team will put into action on the pitch. You definitely need to understand your role on the field (Check out your specific position in This Blog for details!) and in addition to that, you've got to figure out where your teammates are, what their roles are, and then how you can best serve your team while keeping in mind the positioning of yourself + teammates. You might want to go back to that blog and read ALL of the positions, so you get a feel for what each player is doing on your team.
Work as a unit + trust one another Whether you're a part of the defensive or offensive unit (More details on these to come!), you're going to have to work together and work for each other and work off one another. Metaphorically, in a functional relationship, you have to be able to depend on your partner when you need them, and you can lean on him/her when times are hard for you and you're struggling. On the pitch you've got to have faith in your teammate. You need to be able to trust your unit to be there for you, whether that's giving you an outlet pass when you have the ball, or telling you about an opponent behind you. More importantly, YOU need to be that support for your teammates. You need to help lift them up while pushing them to peak performance. This involves being aware of your teammates strengths and weaknesses, and assisting them in these areas when needed. You think Navy SEALs or Marines don't know their squads positioning + attributes? They have that stuff memorized, so that when they're in combat, they almost look like they're one body, moving fluidly, to efficiently + effectively achieve their mission. #SempriFi If you don't know your team's tactics, it's a good time to sit down with your unit + coach to clarify your objectives, so that everyone is on the same page. You don't want to wait until you're out on the pitch wondering why your teammate isn't doing the same thing as you or why your team is bombing up long balls when you thought you were supposed to be keeping it on the deck. Once you have individual strength + awareness, then you can build that up with your unit, and then combine with your entire team to have a totally synched up squad who not only KNOWS what your teammates are doing, but you also TRUST one another to do it. Those are the fundamentals of team tactics + understanding. Cheers, -z Here is Factor #1 of Tactical Intelligence  Positioning! Here are the basics: What is positioning in soccer? Soccer has many different places designated for a person on your team to be during the game. This depends on a players specific tasks or roles within the team. Knowing your role on the field will let you play your part within your teams tactics. When you play your part well, you'll make smarter decisions, utilize your energy reserves properly, and support the run of play in order for your team to complete it's objective (which would ultimately be scoring goals + winning the game!). So what are the roles? Depending on your role, you'd be put into one of these broad categories: Goalkeeper, Defender, Midfielder, or Forward. And once you've got that covered, you'll be placed into your more specific position, whether it be in the center, on the outside, more offensive or holding. It will all depend on your coaches formation (4-4-2, 4-2-3-1, etc.) The traditional formation would have been a 4-4-2 and now most pro teams are sitting at a 4-2-3-1. Which looks something like this!  Let's break it down a bit by the numbers that represent the positions Position 1 = Goalkeeper Role & Responsibility Keeping the ball outta the net! Being involved in the play as far as organizing the team. Making sure players are marked up especially from the defensive side of things. Being the commander/general. Being a great shot stopper, being brave. Commanding your box. Dealing with crosses. Having good distribution with hands and feet, playing it out of the back in different ways, accurately. But most importantly *keeping the ball out of the net!* Position 5 & 6 = Right + Left Centerbacks Role & Responsibility Usually winning headers in the air from goal kicks Coming through winning the ball, winning tackles Organizing the team make sure everyones compact, and marked up. Blocking shots. Making tackles Doing most of the defensive work for the team (this is expected of you by the team) Filling in another position from time to time (all players may have to do this and we will talk about it below!) Position 2 & 3 = Right + Left Fullbacks Role & Responsibility #1 role is having a defensive mindset But in todays game, having a lot more freedom to get up the field and be more adventurous and getting in the attack (It's now more expected of you to do it) Having a good engine Getting up and down the line. Coming in and joining the attack. Filling space when wingers step inside and create space on the outside Crossing into the box accurately + well Defensively, stopping crosses coming into the box Being quick on your feet Being good on 1v1 defending situations Having an appetite for the game because when you're tired and you make a run and don't get the ball, you have to get back and defend! Position 4 & 8 = Right + Left Defensive Midfielders Role & Responsibility Having a bit more focus on defensive aspects and responsibility in this formation (as opposed to the traditional 4-4-2, which was getting up and down the field in a box-to-box way... a lot of running.) Getting up into the attack sometimes to join, but the primary job is to protect the backline. Cleaning up any passes in front of that defensive line. Doubling up with defenders if balls are played into strikers. Winning the ball back. Blocking passes. Covering playmakers. Winning tackles in the midfield. Playing a very important role on the offensive side. Moving the ball. Keeping the rhythm of play going. Keeping good distribution. Picking up ball from fullbacks. Switching the play. Playmaking. Keeping the ball moving. Always showing. Giving options. Moving the ball. Coming back and receiving the ball for switching it to the other side of the field. Playing lots of 2-touch football. Keeping things ticking. Position 10 = Attacking Central Midfielder Role & Responsibility usually Playing with a lot of freedom to go where ever they want. Scoring goals and creating goals. Getting on the ball as often as possible (it's expected of you). Finding little pockets of space between defenders (everyone wants to find you). Trying to get the ball to feet. Playing through balls to wingers making runs or to the strikers feet and joining the attack. Getting shots on goal. Following up chances. Getting into the box, whenever theres an opportunity to score (if you're waiting around outside, sitting in the midfield, you wont be very valuable to your team). Acting in attacking roles as almost a second striker while getting involved into the play (you just have a bit more defensive responsibility). Getting back and help out (especially against a very good team, its almost a 4-5-1 on the defensive side of things) Getting back to defend. Playing combos and getting forward and attack on the offensive side . Position 7 & 11 = Right + Left Wingers Role & Responsibility Getting lots of width. Get the ball out wide. Whipping crosses into the box . Cutting inside. Creating goal scoring opportunities for yourself. Playing combinations. feeling a lot of freedom (all of the attacking players) . Having freedom to change positions (example: with total football, all players can cover all positions. If a fullback steps up, a winger can come back and cover for him until he can get back and fill his spot) Interchange positions. Switching with the other winger. Not feeling restricted to stay outside. Coming inside sometimes. Stepping up, while the striker drops. Making sure you get back into your spot and help out defensively. Taking players on in the right positions. Having the job of feeding the striker. Getting goal for yourself. Helping out defensively Helping double up with your fullback Winning balls with your fullback and countering quickly Position 9 = Striker Role & Responsibility Scoring goals. Putting the ball in the net. Being clinical in front of the net. Scoring at least 1 out of 2 chances. Being sharp with your finishing. Anytime a ball is whipped into the box, being that player getting on it . Wanting to be making the run to the front post. Peeling off making a run to the back post. Showing at the top for a cut back. Always being an option. Always making good runs into space. Playing as a target so show for the ball. Get the ball to feet. Holding the ball up really well. Playing the ball off to your teammates. Making give and go's. Being able to keep possession (if you're the only guy up there, when the ball is played up to you you have to if you lose it, then your team can't get out of trouble). Being a good target . Being strong. Shielding off defenders and playing the ball off. Spinning and making runs between center backs or full backs and trying to get on that ball. Most of all scoring goals and creating goals for your teammates! yes you need to be greedy, but be smart, if you have two guys on you, maybe the best option is to pass and give them the goal scoring opportunity.  Okay so you might have a preference of where you like to play, and you might not be given the opportunity in that position. If your coach isn't giving you that chance, you need to understand that playing different positions is one of the best things for your growth. If you want to be a striker, (there's only 1 in this formation!) so if you're stuck in a fullback or centerback, it's not the end of the world, it's a positive thing if you really think about it!It's an opportunity to grow in a different way, its an opportunity for you to get your chance, because these positions are all really important. So maybe you cant make it as the best striker on your team, you can still strive to be the best fullback of the league. It's great for your development.
If you're stuck asking yourself which position should you play, the best way to answer is by first looking at your skills, and then asking which position you *want* to play. Then, look at what skills are required of that position and start developing those skills. Communicate with your coach and let them know you're working on _____ (insert important skill) and if there's ever an opportunity, you'd love it. Ways to improve:
Thanks for reading! -z |
Zak DrakeI love helping players optimize their soccer careers + lives through actualizing their potential. Categories
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