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Canada Used Magnetism to Beat The USA. Here’s How.
Canada had one simple plan. They did it over and over, causing imbalances and discomfort, until it worked. The US had no cogent method to stop it, nor did they try the idea themselves, all too much. When they did, it was almost brilliant, but the new Kings of CONCACAF reigned supreme.
How to Make your Strikers Play Like Erling Haaland, Part Two
When a striker walks on the world's stage at 6'4" and nearly 200 pounds, we don't tend to comment on how they tenderly caress the ball. It's monster trucks and mayhem, a demolition derby of hold-up play and headers, but never fine-tuned gambetadorial silk. That is—until now.
Why Players Should Never Trust Their Instincts
What if, in a game of fine margins, and players desperate for the tiniest of advantages, we can make everything we do, unexpected? And what if it involves .. not trusting our gut at all?
The Perfect Torture: How Chelsea Slayed the Halfspace King
It was a work of art, worthy of adorning the distinguished walls of the Louvre, and more than worthy of a careful Touchline Theory analysis. Today, nearly four months after the decisive clash, we look back at what made the 2020/2021 UCL grand finale so special--and what to expect when they soon face off again.
Coaching “Vision”: How to Turn Scanning Research into Training, Deluxe Edition (As Seen on Soccer Detail)
The widely-held notion is, typically, that these players can see what others can't, enabling them to then act on those esoteric opportunities. We call these people maestros or artists, in large part, due to their ability to create beauty out of what we might perceive as nothingness--but it's often not the technical, execution-level ability, itself, that manifests in these stunning passes. It's the amount of information they collect, and base their decisions off of, instead.
The Practical Guide to Actually Understanding Positional Play
All across the internet, I'm certain that you've heard the terms "positional play", "juego de posicion", or "JdP". The idea, widely espoused but rarely fully understood, is a countercultural take on this very question.
Why Skiing May Be the Key to Better Offside Traps
There is a key element in the attacking toolbox that can actually be applied quite neatly to defenders--and if used correctly, it can both catch more opponents offside, and create a more intelligent back-up plan in the case the original one doesn't pan out.
Why Trying to Lose Can Win You Trophies
I'm not here to explain how your team can secure that elusive, perfect season. In fact, as a coach, I'd stay away from it at all costs. Instead, I'll be writing today's piece on the merits of deliberately losing.
Stan Collymore Stirred the Pot. Now What?
Welcome to the parthenon hosting the football conservatives vs. the football progressives. It's black or white, people, pick a side!