The Mystery of a Game Plan: Unlocking Success on the Field - 13 Essential Steps to Craft a Winning Game Plan in Football

Introduction

In the world of sports, game planning holds a central role in determining the outcome of a match. As coaches and players step onto the field, they rely on a detailed crafted game plan to navigate the complexities of their sport and secure victory. It is not uncommon to hear coaches and experts postgame as they confidently assert, "The game plan did (not) work well.“

Are experts even capable of evaluating game plans from an external perspective? Are coaches' assessments mere clichés? What options do coaches have to evaluate their own game plans? What tools and methods are at their disposal to assess the efficacy of their strategies? How can they objectively measure the success or failure of their tactics and make informed adjustments for future matches? But what truly lies at the heart of a successful game plan? And how can it increase the probability of success on the field?

The topic of game plan opens up many questions. In this article, we want to delve into the mystery of the game plan in football and present 13 essential steps that can possibly pave the way to success on the field.

1. Navigate Biases in the Game Planning

Game planning in football requires coaches to make objective and unbiased decisions. However, human biases can often cloud judgement and lead to suboptimal strategies. I want to mention two of them:

• Availability Bias: Availability bias refers to the tendency to rely on readily available information when making decisions. For instance, a coach may focus on recent matches where their team performed exceptionally well, leading them to overlook other aspects of their team's performance that need improvement. To address availability bias, coaches should gather comprehensive data, including historical performance, to gain a balanced perspective.
• Outcome Bias: Outcome bias is the tendency to judge the quality of a decision based on the outcome, rather than the decision-making process itself. Example: A coach may develop a game plan that focuses on counter-attacking and defensive stability against a strong opponent. However, despite executing the game plan perfectly, their team concedes a late goal and loses the match. The coach may be tempted to dismiss the game plan as ineffective due to the negative outcome. However, it is important for coaches to evaluate the decision-making process objectively and consider factors beyond the final result, such as the team's performance, execution, and adherence to the plan throughout the match.

2. Uncover the Achilles’ Heel of the Opponent

One crucial aspect of effective game planning is uncovering the Achilles heel of the opponent. This entails identifying clear patterns in the opponent's behavior and understanding the underlying reasons behind those patterns. Understanding why these patterns occur is essential to exploit the opponent's weaknesses.

CASE STUDY:

When we played against Tottenham in the Europa League with LASK in 2020, we observed the behavior of the left fullback.

He created space and attacked the opponent's right fullback. What stood out was that the left center-back did not fill the gap, but in many situations, the central midfielder tried to control the space created. We saw this as an opportunity to gain an advantage in our offensive play, as there were incredible spaces behind the left fullback. But the crucial question is: why does this happen? Does this behavior occur regularly in the game? And if so, how should we position our players?

When answering these questions, it involves determining the specific positions on the field (depth, dynamics, tempo, and timing) in relation to the players' tasks (ball action, offering support, providing width, and pinning) in possession of the ball. This helps create similar situations and opportunities for the team.

By comprehending the reasons behind the opponent's patterns, coaches can devise specific strategies and tactics to capitalize on their weaknesses.

3. Balance Risk and Reward Trade-off

Maybe you want to play like Pep Guardiola? Perhaps you decide to ignore the opponent's pressing and build your game with high risk. Or maybe you want to press the opponent aggressively, creating ample space behind your defensive line. In any case, it requires a careful weighing of the advantages against the risks, and you must adapt your strategies to the quality of your players. It makes sense to pursue the philosophy of success rather than the philosophy of dreams.

4. Equipping Players with Solutions, not Problems

When it comes to game planning in football, it's crucial to provide players with solutions rather than just problems. One important aspect of this is analyzing a strong opponent. Instead of focusing solely on their strengths, it's essential to identify areas where we can exploit their weaknesses.

Rather than overwhelming the players with information about the opponent's strengths, we emphasize finding ways to neutralize those strengths and create opportunities for ourselves.

Ultimately, our goal is to instill confidence in our players by equipping them with the necessary tools to tackle any challenges they may face during the game. By focusing on solutions rather than problems, we create a positive environment that fosters growth, teamwork, and success on the football field.

5. Utilize Randomness and Unpredictability in your Game Plan

Approximately 40% of goals scored in football matches are influenced by random factors. However, it is the responsibility of the coach to exert control over the remaining 60%. Nevertheless, there is also an opportunity to exploit the aspect of randomness to our advantage. In football, incorporating creative and unexpected plays into the game plan can catch the opposition off guard. For example, a team might introduce unconventional strategies during set-pieces, such as utilizing confusing movement patterns or unexpected players taking shots or making runs. This element of surprise can lead to scoring opportunities.

6. Implement 'What If' Scenarios

It is essential for coaches to anticipate and plan for different scenarios that may unfold during a match. These scenarios include situations where the opponent makes changes, when the team is trailing, or when they are leading. Coaches often provide players with handwritten notes or instructions during the game to communicate new strategies. While it may be challenging to communicate with players on the field due to the noise, certain processes and adjustments should already be incorporated into a well-crafted game plan.

Ultimately, a solid game plan should encompass various scenarios and adjustments. While in-game communication is limited, having these predefined strategies in place ensures that the team is prepared to face any challenges that arise during the match.

7. Set measurable Goals

Generally, the goal in a football game is clear; score more goals and concede less. But more in detail, game plans must include goal-setting as a key component. The team must have a clear knowledge of the game's objectives, and those objectives must be time-bound, relevant, detailed, measurable, and achievable. Goal-setting gives the team a sense of direction and motivation and provides a framework for assessing the team's success. How can you otherwise check the effectiveness of a game plan?

8. Unlock the mental Game

A game plan should consider the psychological and emotional aspects of the players. Strategies can be implemented to motivate players, build team cohesion, boost confidence, manage pressure, and handle various situations that may arise during a match. For example, (mental) coaches can use visualization techniques to help players mentally prepare for important moments in a game or provide strategies to overcome performance anxiety.

9. Simplify the Game Plan

When working with a diverse group of players in football, it's crucial to simplify the game plan to ensure easy understanding and execution by every team member. One way to achieve this is by tailoring the learning process to accommodate different learning types within the group. By incorporating visual, auditory, and kinesthetic approaches, players can better grasp the strategies and tactics involved in the game plan.

To make the game plan more accessible, it's also important to consider the duration of team meetings. Keeping the meetings concise and focused allows players to absorb information more effectively. Breaking down complex concepts into smaller, digestible parts can aid in comprehension and retention.

10. Define Player Roles and Responsibilities

In football, each player should have a distinct role to play in the game plan, and it is crucial for them to be aware of their responsibilities. I generally work with principles and guidelines. Principles are universally applicable and must always be fulfilled, while guidelines are meant to help players solve game situations in the best possible and creative way. It is inherent in the nature of the game that there needs to be more restraint in defensive play compared to offensive play.

11. Embrace Dedication

"Burn the boats" is a phrase often attributed to Spanish conquistador Hernan Cortes during the early 16th century. It symbolizes the act of burning his ships after landing in Mexico to conquer the Aztec Empire. In this way, there was no retreat possible for his troops anymore. This act signifies wholehearted dedication and commitment to the mission at hand.

In football, coaches can adopt a similar mindset to instill dedication and commitment in their players. To achieve this, coaches should motivate the team by providing a clear understanding of their objectives and the reasons behind them. By giving players a compelling "why" or aha moment, they can create a sense of purpose that fuels their dedication. When players grasp the significance and potential impact of their roles within the game plan, they become more motivated to give their best on the field.

By embracing dedication, coaches can nurture a strong commitment among their players, enhancing their performance and overall growth as athletes. When players understand their objectives, feel a sense of purpose, and have fun while pursuing their goals, they become a formidable force on the field.

12. Simulate the Match Scenarios

During training sessions, the coach will work on putting the game plan into action. This includes practicing the formation, the roles and responsibilities of the players, and the style of play. The players must comprehend the game plan and be able to carry it out effectively on the pitch. It is important to test the developed plan and make any necessary adjustments to improve effectiveness.

However, in practice, another issue may arise: when you train your team, the sparring team also becomes familiar with the plan, which can reduce success during training. Therefore, it is important to consider strategies to address this issue as well.

13. Evaluate the Game Plan Effectiveness

Game plans should never be set in stone. In many cases, the effectiveness of a game plan is often judged based on the outcome. A potentially good game plan may be discarded if games are lost, while potentially poor game plans may be reused if games are fortunately won. Therefore, coaches must continuously evaluate the effectiveness of their strategies and tactics.

For example, let's say you decide to press your opponent aggressively. How successful was your pressing? What parameters define a successful pressing strategy? How many times did your pressing fail, potentially leading to breakthroughs or scoring chances for your opponent? Only by answering these questions you can create efficient match plans.

Evaluating the effectiveness of a game plan involves analyzing various factors such as player execution, opposition response, and overall team performance. It requires a careful assessment of both quantitative data, such as successful tackles and interceptions, as well as qualitative observations, such as the team's cohesion and decision-making.

By regularly reviewing and adjusting the game plan based on evaluation results, coaches can optimize their strategies and increase the chances of success on the field. Flexibility and adaptability are key in the ever-evolving world of football, where a game plan that worked in one match may not necessarily yield the same results in another.

Summary

A well-crafted game plan is an important puzzle piece in the world of football. It‘s purpose is to increase the likelihood of success, provide players with security, confidence, and belief, and be prepared for all eventualities. Evaluating the effectiveness of the game plan is crucial to ensure its efficiency.