TOVO Tuesday 193

Beautiful Diamonds

Triangles and diamonds.?

We often speak of attacking lines and defensive lines. We go further to have players play between the lines, finding space within the gaps.?

However, if you take a snapshot at any one moment of a match what you will see are triangles and diamonds. What you will see are players positioned off the ball carrier to support with width and depth. What you will see is the ball moving in many directions within 360 degrees of possibility.?

There are those that profess that your trainings need to be north-south. In fact, your own federation may require you to train as such. Just nod and comply obediently.?

It is abundantly obvious that football is a game of exploiting space and that the ultimate space is the back of the net. So, perhaps this north-south interpretation seems logical on the surface. Attack to the north. Defend to the south. However, logic belies the reality of the game.?

Take a video clip of any sequence within the game and you will find players solving challenges at many angles. Rarely will you find north-to-north-to-north passes on the way to the opposing goal. In fact, more often than not you will find angular passes outplaying the defensive posture of the opponent.?

Ironically, south is sometimes the best way to head north.?

The reality is that solutions in football come east-west, north-south, and every combination within those coordinates.? In fact, the road to north is a winding one indeed.?

So, training is about working through angular solutions. It is about seeing substructures.

?The beautiful game is one of diamonds.?

Train accordingly.