Understanding Positional Play

Module: Introduction Classroom: Positional Play Original Location: https://www.skool.com/football-coaching-academy-5676/classroom

Duration: 1:04 (Video)

What is Positional Play?

Positional play, also referred to as “juego de posicion,” is a tactical philosophy rooted in the idea of dominating both space and possession on the field.

For years, I have been captivated by the concept of positional play, how structure can bring order to the beautiful chaos of football. The ongoing debate between structured positional play and a more fluid, relational style has sparked endless discussions among coaches at all levels. But does it really have to be one or the other? I believe these two approaches are not mutually exclusive but rather complementary.

The Balance of Structure and Freedom

Positional play provides the foundation - an organized framework that allows players to understand:

Within that structure, relational play can flourish, giving players the freedom to combine, adapt, and express creativity in a way that enhances the team’s overall tactical intelligence.

It is a concept that has transcended generations, influencing some of the greatest football teams in history.

Historical Roots

The roots of positional play can be traced back to visionary coaches like Rinus Michels, whose revolutionary “Total Football” philosophy in the 1970s redefined how the game was played. His ideas laid the groundwork for the structured, intelligent movement that underpins modern positional play.

With such a rich tactical history to draw from, there’s no better place to begin our journey.

Course Structure

This course is divided into the following chapters:

Origins

  1. Introduction: Understanding Positional Play (this lesson)
  2. Chapter 1: Total Football: Origin Story
  3. Chapter 2: Total Football to Positional Play

Core Principles

  1. Chapter 3: The Core Principles of Positional Play
  2. **Chapter 4: Principle 1 Creating Overloads**
  3. **Chapter 5: Principle 2 Triangles and Diamonds**
  4. **Chapter 6: Principle 3 Exploiting Spaces**
  5. **Chapter 7: Principle 4 Control and Patience**

Key Elements

  1. Chapter 8: Structured Positioning
  2. Chapter 9: Decision Making
  3. Chapter 10: Communication

Benefits

  1. **Chapter 11: Benefit 1 Control**
  2. **Chapter 12: Benefit 2 Creativity**
  3. **Chapter 13: Benefit 3 Defensive Stability**

Challenges

  1. **Chapter 14: Challenge 1 Complexity**
  2. **Chapter 15: Challenge 2 Predictability**
  3. **Chapter 16: Challenge 3 Physical Demands**

Conclusion

  1. Final Thoughts

This content is part of the 360TFT Football Coaching Academy Positional Play course