I've always been a great admirer of the Cruijff/Michels total football philosophy, I've decided to attempt to implement a tactic as much like to like as possible (any tactic creators are welcome to join in with this challenge).
What is Total Football based on?
Here's a short video of arguably the greatest "Total Football" side of all time, Holland 1974 :
[video=youtube;AGyxPi9HdiE]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AGyxPi9HdiE[/video]
The Total Football philosophy depends heavily on the nature of players in a team. Not every team can play it. In fact, there are very few teams that could do it and that is what led to suggestions that the Dutch side of 1974 World Cup was the best footballing side ever to have played. Total football requires all ten outfield players to be very strong technical footballers. The positions of all of the players are switched continuously but this is not restricted to players playing in the same position.
For example, a defender must not only be able to change positions with another defender. Total Football requires all players to be interchangeable. In other words, a defender must be able to switch with a forward if need be and a forward with a midfielder and so on. The only player who is not required to switch positions is the goalkeeper.
The formation I'll be intending to use
Am contemplating whether or not to change the limited defender for a Libero role.
This formation may change due to tweaking periods, however this is in my opinion the most suitable formation for the philosophy in question.
As I previously stated if anybody is interested in taking up the challenge with myself then your more then weclome, I'll be updating this thread with results/tweaks until it's perfected.
The Tactic!
When I use the tactic I never do the team talks I've always left that for the assistant manager to do as well as opponent instructions, your obviously perfectly entitled to do it if you wish.
Match training
I personally do 1 week off Team Cohesion and 1 week off Tactics on repeat until the season starts, at this point I put it on balanced , average intensity. For match training I always prefer to use defensive positioning which I highly recommend, I also allow rest before and after matches. Remember to train the players in their individual roles!
Player attributes
Keeper - Just a general solid keeper
Centre-backs - Passing, Composure, Tackling, Positioning etcetera (Agger, Vertonghen..)
Wing-backs - Pace, Stamina, Crossing, Tackling etcetera (Walker , Johnson..)
BWM's - Tackling, Strength, Passing, Stamina etcetera (Dembele, Leiva..)
Wingers - Pace, Flair, Creativity, Crossing (Dyer, Lennon..)
Complete Forward - Finishing, Heading, Composure etcetera (Cisse, Adebayor..)
Team talks
All team talks done on assertive
Easy home games - Expect to win
Tough home/away games - For the fans
Lesser opposition away - Relax - Expect to win
Half time if winning - Doing well keep it up
Drawing against lesser opposition - Far from pleased
Drawing against same/better opposition - For the fans , Keep it up
Post match if won - Very pleased , Similar
If drawn, lost against lesser opposition - Not happy
(for away and home and use it at home against good opposition)
If drawn, lost against similar/better opposition away - Unlucky
Tactic success
Courtesy of Darandio who magnificently done a clean sweep and won every trophy he competed for in 2015 with Liverpool.
I'd really appreciate it if you could all post your results, I also highly recommend that you do NOT tweak the tactic.
View attachment 303736
What is Total Football based on?
- Short precise passing
- Quick tempo and high intense pressing
- Free roaming with high creative freedom (10 players attack, 10 players defend, a lot of interchanging)
- High defensive line
- Wing/Full backs and Wingers must hug the touchline to maximize the width
Here's a short video of arguably the greatest "Total Football" side of all time, Holland 1974 :
[video=youtube;AGyxPi9HdiE]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AGyxPi9HdiE[/video]
The Total Football philosophy depends heavily on the nature of players in a team. Not every team can play it. In fact, there are very few teams that could do it and that is what led to suggestions that the Dutch side of 1974 World Cup was the best footballing side ever to have played. Total football requires all ten outfield players to be very strong technical footballers. The positions of all of the players are switched continuously but this is not restricted to players playing in the same position.
For example, a defender must not only be able to change positions with another defender. Total Football requires all players to be interchangeable. In other words, a defender must be able to switch with a forward if need be and a forward with a midfielder and so on. The only player who is not required to switch positions is the goalkeeper.
The formation I'll be intending to use
Am contemplating whether or not to change the limited defender for a Libero role.
This formation may change due to tweaking periods, however this is in my opinion the most suitable formation for the philosophy in question.
As I previously stated if anybody is interested in taking up the challenge with myself then your more then weclome, I'll be updating this thread with results/tweaks until it's perfected.
The Tactic!
When I use the tactic I never do the team talks I've always left that for the assistant manager to do as well as opponent instructions, your obviously perfectly entitled to do it if you wish.
Match training
I personally do 1 week off Team Cohesion and 1 week off Tactics on repeat until the season starts, at this point I put it on balanced , average intensity. For match training I always prefer to use defensive positioning which I highly recommend, I also allow rest before and after matches. Remember to train the players in their individual roles!
Player attributes
Keeper - Just a general solid keeper
Centre-backs - Passing, Composure, Tackling, Positioning etcetera (Agger, Vertonghen..)
Wing-backs - Pace, Stamina, Crossing, Tackling etcetera (Walker , Johnson..)
BWM's - Tackling, Strength, Passing, Stamina etcetera (Dembele, Leiva..)
Wingers - Pace, Flair, Creativity, Crossing (Dyer, Lennon..)
Complete Forward - Finishing, Heading, Composure etcetera (Cisse, Adebayor..)
Team talks
All team talks done on assertive
Easy home games - Expect to win
Tough home/away games - For the fans
Lesser opposition away - Relax - Expect to win
Half time if winning - Doing well keep it up
Drawing against lesser opposition - Far from pleased
Drawing against same/better opposition - For the fans , Keep it up
Post match if won - Very pleased , Similar
If drawn, lost against lesser opposition - Not happy
(for away and home and use it at home against good opposition)
If drawn, lost against similar/better opposition away - Unlucky
Tactic success
Courtesy of Darandio who magnificently done a clean sweep and won every trophy he competed for in 2015 with Liverpool.
I'd really appreciate it if you could all post your results, I also highly recommend that you do NOT tweak the tactic.
View attachment 303736
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