A Phobia about Soccer ‘Systems’

Nice piece, Karl. ( the ‘FREEdom of Responsibility’ post)

I don't usually get into these Technical / Tactical discussions, but you are right. ‘Systems’ is a misused and overrated term. It is a good word for describing traffic, plumbing, or queuing, but it is not a good descriptor for how you place players in positions on the pitch.

The analytics world is becoming obsessed with the word 'Shape' and Coaches with ' Formation,' which is probably the closest term. 'Pattern of Play' is also a favorite of pundits. So, where does that leave us?

Coaches should focus on 'Principles' and teach them on the basis that if you give a man a fish, he will eat ( systems), but if you give him a fishing rod, he will eat for life ( tools for the job).

The principles of the game are simple; they have not changed since the game became 11v11 on a standard pitch with standard goals and standard markings. Principles related to what you do as a team and individual when you have the ball and what you do when you don't have the ball. No coach has or can develop his/her own principles.

Still, he can develop his/ her strategy and tactics based on the true principles of the game and always within the bounds of risk and safety (which your Zones diagram points out). I could go on, but I will leave it to your followers to expand.

 Les Reed,

UEFA Development and Technical Assistance Committee.

 I think we are in a phobia about systems and numbers. One of the best coaching courses I ever attended was about "Principles of Play." (P of P) Understanding & winning as many moments of the game as ‘P of P’ are relevant at every move of the ball. Then, recognizing what you can win and what you leave alone. To do that, you had to know these ‘P of P.’ Very few coaches understand them well. (Upcoming article)

    An English failing for years is to live in a 4-4-2 world, and because of lack of playing talent, it tends to be more conservative. For example, Italian defenders tend to be expert defenders and can play 1vs1 comfortably. Whereas many English defenders are not as competent and so look for support - 2vs.1. On the attacking side, Brazilians / Argentineans are totally comfortable with the ball. This expertise gives players the technical freedom in whatever 'System' you play more flexibility.

     All this goes back to the roots. You are what you are - If the developmental years are about results and cups, you will tend to breed competitive, erratically skilled players with a high drop-out rate as that's what the ‘System’ feeds off. Whereas countries like Holland "educate" their players to play first and then later, teens start to put both the result and the quality of play together. 

     As the adage goes - “TECHNIQUE PRECEDES TACTICS" is so true. Our trouble is we take the word's development & education under the cloak of results. If we are winning, therefore, we are learning that school of thought is promoted. Then the proof is in the pudding; when they get to their mid-teens, the "learning journey" is almost done.

 Please go out and watch 16-year-olds play, and they are the fruits of 6 to 10 years of soccer education. If equated with regular school, the majority would be remedial or drop-outs. Just go to a game and note how many players can't pass or control a ball smoothly. Then equate it to basketball - How long are you going to be on a team if you can't pass it? How long are you going to be on a team if you can't catch the ball?

 We have a long, long way to go............

Graham Ramsay,

The Soccer School

Koach Karl's Notes:

Dear Reader: Coaches Reed and Ramsay have given you their thoughts on the use of 'Systems of Play.' Please leave us your thoughts, and look for 'Principles of Play' in upcoming posts.   

Your FUNdamental, Koach Karl (Karl Dewazien)

• Emeritus State Director of Coaching California Youth Soccer Assoc. 1979-2012
• Author - FUNdamental SOCCER Books Series
• Producer - ‘FUNdamental SOCCER -Practice’ DVD.
• Clinician at: www.fundamentalsoccer.com  
• Can be reached at: [email protected]