Football Writing & Grassroots Coaching | UEFA B
Joined November 2022
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Pinned Tweet
Jun 12
Throughout the World Cup, I'm planning to share 'tactical snapshots' π
This will include images and animations of specific game sequences that highlight a team's wider gameplan or approach in and out of possession
I will collate all posts as replies to this one ππ§΅
#FWC26
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π³π± Netherlands v Japan π―π΅
Recurring themes for π―π΅ in possession:
- Positional interchanges within 3-2-4-1 structure
- Half-space (underlap runs) when ball passed wide
Timing of coordinated counter-movements were impressive (as ball travels)
Seq in 18 min showcased it all π
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Many examples of π―π΅ half-space underlap runs beyond. Some notable seqs 42:30, 56:40 (goal), 73:41, 77:20
Timing of π―π΅ counter-movements & positional interchanges worth rewatching
As ball travelling, coordinated off-ball movement - constantly changes picture for opposition OOP
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Nick Smoothy retweeted
Details on the structural/individual issues with Brazil's OOP approach v. Morocco:
- In locking scenarios, falling underneath the ball -> allowing opp to come inside
- Wingers late to jump & poor screening behaviours
- Links to width w/ the ball -> Far side not compact upon loss
In Brazilβs pressing system, massive glaring issues come via their far side winger being outside of opp CHβs shoulder:
Far side winger narrow/inside to protect these βrelayβ passes to unlock the far side of the pitch -> Allows 10 to help across/CMs more player orientated.
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Jun 13
Using @tacticalistapp for my 2026 World Cup animations β½οΈπ¦
The new line-up importer is a great tool π
All animations posted in the replies to the thread below π
#FWC26
Jun 12
Throughout the World Cup, I'm planning to share 'tactical snapshots' π
This will include images and animations of specific game sequences that highlight a team's wider gameplan or approach in and out of possession
I will collate all posts as replies to this one ππ§΅
#FWC26
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Nick Smoothy retweeted
Jun 12
47 min: π°π· attacking final 3rd
As Czech OOP system/roles were similar in low block, π°π· tactic of 1) exploiting DEF line jumps and 2) 6 8 running off the back of their mark (stealing @Tactx_ term) could be combined
This seq ended in a corner, but a pre-cursor to their goals
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Nick Smoothy retweeted
Jun 12
46 min: π°π· isolate & overload π¨πΏ DM (22) - his role was cover behind 24 15 17
When π¨πΏ DM shifted to close down x1 threat, another π°π· player moved blindside to create a 2v1 overload
π°π· 6 8 runs 'off their FOR line mark' caused freq issues, as seen by goals & next example
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Nick Smoothy retweeted
Jun 12
27 min: π°π· trigger π¨πΏ high press jumps
1) π¨πΏ FOR Line: 15 17 24 roles stressed due to lateral shifts = access to π°π· 6
2) DEF Line: LWB (20) pinned wide & LCB (7) jumped to cover π°π· 19 = gap to exploit
π°π· repeatedly aimed to exploit DEF line jumps with passes runs beyond
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Nick Smoothy retweeted
Jun 12
π°π· South Korea vs Czech Republic π¨πΏ
South Korea repeatedly manipulated weaknesses and then exploited them in Czech Republic's out of possession system
Specifically:
1) Left-sided jumps out of the backline
2) Forward & Midfield roles OOP
See x3 animated games examples π
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Jun 12
Throughout the World Cup, I'm planning to share 'tactical snapshots' π
This will include images and animations of specific game sequences that highlight a team's wider gameplan or approach in and out of possession
I will collate all posts as replies to this one ππ§΅
#FWC26
2
7
56
23,904
Jun 12
π²π½ Mexico vs South Africa πΏπ¦
Jun 12
π²π½ Mexico vs South Africa πΏπ¦
In possession phasesπ²π½ used a number of positional rotations
Here's an example of these in action in the 41st min and a showcase of the 1) attacking advantages π²π½ created and 2) impact on πΏπ¦ OOP system
Further commentary π
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Jun 12
π°π· South Korea vs Czech Republic π¨πΏ
Jun 12
π°π· South Korea vs Czech Republic π¨πΏ
South Korea repeatedly manipulated weaknesses and then exploited them in Czech Republic's out of possession system
Specifically:
1) Left-sided jumps out of the backline
2) Forward & Midfield roles OOP
See x3 animated games examples π
2
680
Jun 12
π°π· South Korea vs Czech Republic π¨πΏ
South Korea repeatedly manipulated weaknesses and then exploited them in Czech Republic's out of possession system
Specifically:
1) Left-sided jumps out of the backline
2) Forward & Midfield roles OOP
See x3 animated games examples π
1
6
16
1,848
Jun 12
47 min: π°π· attacking final 3rd
As Czech OOP system/roles were similar in low block, π°π· tactic of 1) exploiting DEF line jumps and 2) 6 8 running off the back of their mark (stealing @Tactx_ term) could be combined
This seq ended in a corner, but a pre-cursor to their goals
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Jun 12
The idea behind π¨πΏ OOP system was that their x4 forwards (10 15 24 17) could cover x5 π°π· players (back 3 CMs), allowing for 1 cover in MID & DEF
However, it was too easy for π°π· to 1) bypass & 2) manipulate & exploit
Interested to see their OOP approach next game
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Jun 12
π²π½ Mexico vs South Africa πΏπ¦
In possession phasesπ²π½ used a number of positional rotations
Here's an example of these in action in the 41st min and a showcase of the 1) attacking advantages π²π½ created and 2) impact on πΏπ¦ OOP system
Further commentary π
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Jun 12
In possession, π²π½ base shape was 4-2-3-1
A typical positional rotation (& opposition impact) was...
LB (23) advanced (pinning the πΏπ¦ RWB)
LCM (8) pulling out into LB slot (dragging out the πΏπ¦ RCM)
LW (16) moving infield (creating a decision for πΏπ¦ RCB & DM)
In the 41st min...
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Jun 12
πΏπ¦ RCB & DM hesitation in marking π²π½ #16's central positioning & movement towards ball creates a 4v3 overload & leaves π²π½ #26 free to receive
As πΏπ¦ RCB had been drawn out of the backline, π²π½ #9 pulls out to exploit space but the pass is intercepted by πΏπ¦ RCB recovery
#FWC26
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Jun 12
π²π½ Mexico vs South Africa πΏπ¦
One tactic South Africa attempted a few times in the 1st Half was to draw the Mexico LB (23) upfield and then exploit this vacated space
Below is an example of this in practice from the 21st Min (another occurred in the 23rd)
Further commentary π
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Jun 12
πΏπ¦ aimed to use their deep build-up to trigger π²π½ engagement OOP
Knowing that π²π½ LB's (23) role OOP was to cover the πΏπ¦ RWB, the RWB dropped deep to draw the LB upfield and then πΏπ¦ would look to find ways to exploit this space (with the final pass often letting them down)
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Jun 12
In the aforementioned instance from 23rd min, the RWB again dropped deep to receive
Then πΏπ¦ circulated possession along their backline before their LCB (14) attempted a diagonal switch towards the space the π²π½ LB had vacated (although, due to circulation he had time to recover)
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