Football Tactics: The Evolution Of Total Football.

It's a football philosophy which involves the inter-changing of positions among the players except the goalkeeper. This type of football became popular in the 1970s. Many teams around the globe tried to use this tactic but only a few succeeded.


Netherlands team in 1974 world cup. They practiced total football.
Although this system became popular in 1970s, this idea began as early as 1930s though it was bound to failing. Argentina's River Plate (La Maquina) in 1940s, England's Burnley in 1950s and Brazilian Santos in 1960 were among the first teams to use the idea and ripped fruits from it.

Netherlands' Ajax, was the most successful team to use this tactic. Ajax won all home matches in two seasons between 1971-1973. They won 46 games drew none and lost none. This resulted into winning 2 League titles, KNVB Cup, European Cup and the Intercontinental Cup.

Burnley Fc in early 1950s. Source:game of the people.


Also, the Netherlands National team used this system and benefitted from it. The most famous match was between West Germany and Netherlands World Cup semi-final. The Dutch side (Netherlands) scored a goal two minutes from the kick off without any West Germany player touching the ball. At the end West Germany broke the Dutch heats by making an astonishing comeback and won 2-1.

Netherlands National team in 1974 World Cup.


What you'll need to use total football technique.

1. Players who can play in almost all positions.
2. Easy adjustment of players to make the game flow smoothly.
3. Players who are composed and focused in the game.
4. Fast-paced players to recover the gaps left by another players.

Drawbacks of Total Football.
a) If you play against a team with high man marking then it is easy to lose because it won't work.
b) It wants players who have adapted to this style of play.
c) No player can play well in all positions. It leads to being punished if a striker acts as a defender because he lacks defending qualities.

Players who mastered this philosophy is Johan Cruyff (Ajax), Cristiano Ronaldo and Zlatan Ibrahimoć. Cruyff continued with this philosophy even after his footballing career ended. He managed Barcelona by then Pep Guardiola was playing for Barca.

Today, many teams have evolved this tactic like Pep Guardiola, added the possessive skill to make it 'tiki taka' or 'Juego de Posecion'. Nowdays, most teams do not want to be predictable in their tactics that's why they use multiple philosophies.

Ref: wikipedia, goal.com and imperial.ac.ke

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