Football and its tactics have gone through enormous changes since its advent. Now football is not just a game between two teams, it is the basis for the interaction of many people. Many of these people support their favorite teams in every game and not only follow the news, but also study the game theory of this game. Many support players on bets in new casinos not on gamstop, and thereby sharpen their emotions from the game. That is why, throughout its existence, thanks to the interest of people, football has acquired a complex structure and a strategic approach to matches. What is strategy in football and how it has changed over time in our article.
Catenaccio (Italian for “door bolt”) was first invented and used by Italian teams in the 1960s. The tactic is the supposed employment of a defensive style. Players were playing from a solid defensive organization, simultaneously concentrating on counter-attacks. Once there is a chance to attack, players actively use it to score a goal. Overall, the game tactic was quite effective in many cases and helped teams to win matches.
Dutch school of Football was the next critical step in developing tactics in the 1970s. The school gained popularity with the help of famous teams like Feyenoord and Ajax and their approach called “total football.” The main idea of this approach is that players can play from any position if they have good technical skills and can make independent decisions during the match.
In the 1990s, “zone defense” tactics became popular, which supposed that players covered specific areas forming zones. This allowed players to use sturdy defense and more efficient mobility during games.
However, the most noteworthy revolution happened in the early 2000s with the development of the tiki-taka tactic. The Spanish national team successfully implemented this tactic, and Barcelona when the coach was Pep Guardiola. This tactic supposes intensive ball possession, short passes, and all-the-time movement. The main aim is to control the ball and create chances for short-term ball passing sequences, thus gaining a much better position and creating opportunities for attacking. Soon, the tactics gained wide popularity, and many teams started using this technique.
Here are the main principles of this technique;
- Ball possession. The technique emphasizes the importance of keeping the ball as long as possible. The main aim is to wear down the opposition and control the game.
- Short passes. Players are concentrated on quick and short passes using one or two touches. The passes are fast and close to the feet enabling effective ball circulation and flexible movements.
- Movements and positioning. Players move constantly, creating options for their fellow players to pass the ball. The ongoing and dynamic movements help to pass through the opposite team’s protection and enable penetration.
- Quick transitions. When one of the players losses possession of the ball, the tiki-taka technique concentrates on regaining the ball immediately. The main strategy is going from defense to attack and vice versa.
- Teamwork and understanding. Tiki-taka, like any other technique in football, requires teamwork and understanding teammates’ intentions without words. To do that, a player must have high technical skills, the ability to read the game, and spatial awareness.
Tike-taka gained a lot of popularity when the Spanish national team and Barcelona managed to win a lot of tournaments, including the European Championship and the World Cup. Many teams used this tactic to gain ball control and dominate the field.
Overall, teams currently use numerous tactics to win games incorporating different styles such as direct attacking, counter-attacks, etc. However, unlike in the past when teams used to employ one tactic, modern football teams are more flexible and choose a technique based on several factors. Team characteristics, player composition, and the opposition on the field. Finally, each coach may decide the best technique for their team.
