In recent times, the so-called “high press” has become synonymous with the world’s leading coaches, including pioneers in this respect such as Ralf Rangnick, Mauricio Pochettino, Jurgen Klopp, Pep Guardiola and Thomas Tuchel. While this is highly rewarding and capable...

While many have talked about the demise of the classic 4-4-2 formation, this is a misconception that doesn’t accurately reveal the nature of football’s tactical evolution since the 1990s. More specifically, while we’ve seen well-resourced teams with creative attacking...

The Most Important Coaching Principles in Youth Football The ‘Special One’ Jose Mourinho has achieved many things in his time as an elite level coach, but outside of his on-field accomplishments, he also arguably ushered in the age of the ‘superstar’ coach. Prior to...

While some trends in football may come and go, the use of the Video Assistant Referee (or VAR) at the sport’s elite level is likely to become increasingly prevalent in the coming months and years. Of course, VAR is also a highly controversial topic for discussion,...

Football has always been renowned as a working-class sport, which inspires passion and fervour in both fans and players across the globe. For connoisseurs of the sport, however, the sport’s tactical evolution through the ages has been arguably as fascinating as the...

England will hardly approach the 2022 FIFA World Cup in good form, having endured a catastrophic UEFA Nations League A campaign that saw them go winless in six matches and ultimately suffer relegation to the tournament’s second tier. What’s more, fans have been...

There are many things that can be coached and taught in the UK, although it should come as no surprise that football is the most popular of these activities. In fact, football accounts for 18% of all coached activities on these shores, with training required at...

While it’s the iconic 4-4-2 formation that remains the single most recognisable set-up for any football team, it can be argued that the 3-4-3 system has the longest and richest history. Unlike the 4-4-2, of course, the 3-4-3 has experienced various peaks and troughs...

As positional play becomes increasingly important in contemporary football, we’re seeing a much wider range of systems and formations being deployed by managers. Take the 3-1-4-2 system, for example, which is a variation of the classic 3-5-2 and utilises a structured...

Being a referee can be a thankless task, especially in the world of professional football where players have occasionally been known to disrespect and harangue officials. I mean, who can forget Jaap Stam and his Manchester United teammates surrounding referee Andy...

Being a football coach can be a challenging pastime, particularly when it comes to setting your side up in the best and most effective way. While you may have a preferred formation and style of play as a coach, for example, this may not suit either the players at your...

The 3-5-2 formation is a relatively recent team shape, especially when compared to historically popular systems such as the 4-4-2 and the 4-3-3.It’s also one that tends to experience peaks and troughs in terms of popularity, largely thanks to its relative complexity...

Tactics Explained - A Look at the 4-1-4-1 In our piece exploring football tactics, we’re going to cast our eyes over the increasingly popular 4-1-4-1. Despite primarily being seen as a defensive system, the 4-1-4-1 has been reimagined in recent years, largely thanks...

Why is Playing Three at the Back Popular Again? The tactical side of football has become increasingly evolved over the course of the last decade, particularly with the renewed focus on positional play and structured, organised pressing. This has also seen a sustained...

Last season we witnessed a brilliant Premier League season, with drama down to the final day providing for outstanding viewing. With the Premier League currently being the best league in the world it is no surprise the quality of the teams seems to be growing each...