What I learned about Xabi Alonso's Style of Play.
Part 3: Principles ⬇️
Part 3: Principles ⬇️
a) Principle of short distances.
To outplay opponents, the ball must be close.
To increase the effectiveness of your passing, dribble toward your opponent:
To outplay opponents, the ball must be close.
To increase the effectiveness of your passing, dribble toward your opponent:
Explanation:
Long distance: Gives opponents more time to intercept.
Short distance: Less time to react. Easier to pass more accurately.
Long distance: Gives opponents more time to intercept.
Short distance: Less time to react. Easier to pass more accurately.
b) Control the center.
There are many ways to outplay your opponents.
To simplify the complexity of decisions, they follow simple principles.
They prefer: inside > outside passes.
Why?
🔹More options in the middle than on the outside.
🔹Opponents are in the middle. The more we outplay them, the more we disorganize them.
There are many ways to outplay your opponents.
To simplify the complexity of decisions, they follow simple principles.
They prefer: inside > outside passes.
Why?
🔹More options in the middle than on the outside.
🔹Opponents are in the middle. The more we outplay them, the more we disorganize them.
c) Outplay the triangle with the third man.
When they can pass through the middle, they use the third man concept to find the free man:
When they can pass through the middle, they use the third man concept to find the free man:
It is an effective tool to create a free man in attacking position:
d) Outplay the triangle on the outside.
If it is not possible to pass through the middle, you can find the inside position by outplaying your opponent on the outside:
If it is not possible to pass through the middle, you can find the inside position by outplaying your opponent on the outside:
e) Pass back if necessary.
If you can't play forward, pass back.
With the short passes you move the opponents and create space elsewhere:
If you can't play forward, pass back.
With the short passes you move the opponents and create space elsewhere:
Summary:
Keep it simple. Be patient.
Triangles around the opponents, and then outplay them using simple decision principles.
A simple plan, but well executed.
“Playing football is simple, but playing simple football is the hardest thing there is” - Johan Cruyff.
Keep it simple. Be patient.
Triangles around the opponents, and then outplay them using simple decision principles.
A simple plan, but well executed.
“Playing football is simple, but playing simple football is the hardest thing there is” - Johan Cruyff.
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