I'm very interested in soccer/football and I think it's a wonderful sport with perhaps the most passionate fanbases in the world, I just don't know much about the game... I understand how the European leagues and stuff work, I know position names, general history about certain clubs (especially the more prominent ones), how the transfer market works (for the most part), and a good bit of basic terminology.

I want to learn more about the strategic side of the game. For example, what qualities would a team look for in a CM based on different schemes? Or what are the advantages and disadvantages of different formations? I'm not ready to dive into the super advanced stuff, but any help with stuff similar to the questions I asked or strategic stuff like that would be awesome! I'm tired of watching matches and understanding that the ball needs to go in the net, just not understanding the best ways to get it in there or keep it out of the net for the defense. Thanks!

4 ...

Report Post

Posted by McCaigBro69

TigerDroppings Premium Member

Member since Oct 2014

45294 posts

Posted on 1/25/18 at 12:15 am to cfontenot4

quote:
I want to learn more about the strategic side of the game. For example, what qualities would a team look for in a CM based on different schemes? Or what are the advantages and disadvantages of different formations?

Not kidding here, but I learned almost all of my tactic/positional knowledge from the computer game 'Football Manager'.

Aside from that, not real sure how you can learn it aside from reading, watching or playing matches yourself.

0 ...

Report Post

Posted by crazy4lsu

Member since May 2005

39298 posts

Posted on 1/25/18 at 5:46 am to cfontenot4

quote:
For example, what qualities would a team look for in a CM based on different schemes?

Mainly the ability to run all day, not give the ball away either through poor passing or holding the ball too long, and good offensive and defensive qualities. Those are the basic qualities of box to box midfielders.

As for the rest, you have to watch a bunch of games to get what formations intend to do. But the basic idea of a formation is to have a numbers advantage in a key area. A team playing with 2 strikers could face 3 center backs, a team playing a midfield two could face 3 midfielders, and so on. Lots of teams rely on the spare man in midfield or defense to give them a solid foundation. Generally you make some sacrifices with regards to positioning, and try to find players that are adept at multiple roles. Formations are also about partnerships. You want your back line to be comfortable operating as a unit, you want your attackers communicating with each other and not all doing the same thing. There are more complex ideas like the high press (similar in idea to the high court press in basketball), the low block, false pressing, counter pressing, man marking and all sorts of other stuff. The complexity is endless.

0 ...

Report Post

Posted by GeauxTigers2020

Member since Sep 2013

28667 posts

Posted on 1/25/18 at 10:44 am to cfontenot4

(no message)

This post was edited on 10/28/25 at 12:05 pm

1 ...

Report Post

Posted by BlackCoffeeKid

Member since Mar 2016

12889 posts

Posted on 1/25/18 at 10:49 am to GeauxTigers2020

quote:
My advice would be to continue watching as much as possible and watch certain areas of the field

AKA: Don't watch the ball. Watch individual players.

ESPN3 will sometimes do a "tactical cam" perspective for games, which would be a big help for things like this.

0 ...

Report Post

Posted by GeauxHouston

Midland, Texas

Member since Nov 2013

5027 posts

Posted on 1/25/18 at 1:17 pm to cfontenot4

Okay you will love this YouTube channel... It used to be called uMaxit football but now it changed its name. But it helps explain football tactics of great teams. uMaxit(Tifo)

1 ...

Report Post

Posted by bless u boys