On a very fundamental level, defending/pressing is reactive in nature. All the actions are performed in reference to ball/opposition team shape.
There are obviously levels of proactive systems which the team can opt for within that spectrum. But it's not easy to classify /1
There are obviously levels of proactive systems which the team can opt for within that spectrum. But it's not easy to classify /1
Which one is more proactive and which one is less.
At a quick glance, a man-oriented high press might seem more proactive than setting up in a mid block.
But a team in possession with lots of movement to drag and open up space can expose the reactive nature of man-oriented /2
At a quick glance, a man-oriented high press might seem more proactive than setting up in a mid block.
But a team in possession with lots of movement to drag and open up space can expose the reactive nature of man-oriented /2
High press. While a team setting up in a mid-block may give up more time and space on the ball to the opposition but can be very proactive by protecting passing lanes, setting up pressing traps and unlike the last example, instead of getting dictated by the team in possession/3
, this time they dictate the course of play. We have seen many such examples.
But at the time of writing this, a thought just came in my head and if we go back to the initial setup opted by the team out of possession i.e. mid-block and how I initially considered /4
But at the time of writing this, a thought just came in my head and if we go back to the initial setup opted by the team out of possession i.e. mid-block and how I initially considered /4
It to be a proactive move but again if we reduce it and look a bit deeper, even that setup was in reference to the ball/opposition shape/opposition strategy and hence reactive?? Am I being too reductionist here?
Now, you could say the same for the team in possession. Or not? /5
Now, you could say the same for the team in possession. Or not? /5
I think not. There are a few reasons for that.
The flexibility and freedom that you get in positioning is far far greater for the team in possession for some very obvious reasons. They don't have to take into account for things like compactness etc(obv they have to/6
The flexibility and freedom that you get in positioning is far far greater for the team in possession for some very obvious reasons. They don't have to take into account for things like compactness etc(obv they have to/6
for defensive transitions but much less than the team out of possession).
And the second and the most important reason being that the team in posession always has a free man. This always allows for some level of dictating play by the team in posession especially if they are /7
And the second and the most important reason being that the team in posession always has a free man. This always allows for some level of dictating play by the team in posession especially if they are /7
Competent enough to use that free man and transfer him higher up the pitch to create and exploit space further up.
Combine this two factors(free man and flexibility in positioning and movement) and you will get to know how the team in possession /8
Combine this two factors(free man and flexibility in positioning and movement) and you will get to know how the team in possession /8
Always has the 'first move' or the ball in their court.
Let's go back to the mid-block example where the team out of possession has setup to protect space and cover passing lanes between the lines etc.
But now the ball is back in the court of team in possession /9
Let's go back to the mid-block example where the team out of possession has setup to protect space and cover passing lanes between the lines etc.
But now the ball is back in the court of team in possession /9
and either through the movement of free man(let's say it's a free CB in this case) : could be a dribble or a passing action or a movement by a player higher up the pitch will provoke a reaction from the team out of possession and will force them to vacate some space /10
either between the lines or in behind.
Teams which are competent in posession will always exploit this space.
So, I think it's the safe to say that the ceiling of a team in possession is always higher than the team out of it. /11
Teams which are competent in posession will always exploit this space.
So, I think it's the safe to say that the ceiling of a team in possession is always higher than the team out of it. /11
Now, all these tweets may mean nothing in the grand scheme of things lol and might just be waffle at this point(which it is).
And I am not saying that the team in possession is always supreme etc and all those things. /12
And I am not saying that the team in possession is always supreme etc and all those things. /12
I clearly acknowledge that there are many variables at play which decide the outcome of the game.
This whole thread was context less just like most of our football conversations are.
But I still think that the points I made about the free man and the flexibility of /13
This whole thread was context less just like most of our football conversations are.
But I still think that the points I made about the free man and the flexibility of /13
Positioning are very much true and the conclusion I reached which was : the team in possession always has the initiative and chances of displaying much more ingenuity which can ultimately help establish more control.
Again, this does not impact the outcome of the game in any/14
Again, this does not impact the outcome of the game in any/14
Way or form and this was me just voicing my thoughts aloud on something which I have been thinking a lot about lately.
And once again I acknowledge that these kind of threads/discussions are out of context and have no real use case but anyways are a fun activity ;) /15
And once again I acknowledge that these kind of threads/discussions are out of context and have no real use case but anyways are a fun activity ;) /15
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