What to consider when selecting tactics, strategies and systems for your team
You may have a coaching philosophy or a game plan you like to adhere to. And that’s fine. But one thing coaches need to consider – no matter the level of the game they’re at – is the players they have. You need to match up to their strengths.
Now, if you’re working with a new team, you’re not likely to know what your players are good at yet. It will take time to discover their capabilities – and that’s ok. But once you understand your players better, you can adapt your approach to them. For instance, if you have wide players who are great in 1v1s, think of tactics, strategies and systems to make the most of that.
Then, you need to be consistent and patient. If you change approaches every week, it can confuse players. Work on a strategy and tactic for a period of time. Let players get to grips with things before jumping to something new quickly.
Finally, you need to judge the effectiveness of various systems of play. Whether it’s through observing your team on matchday, watching plenty of football matches, or researching online, this is important. It will take time. And perhaps even trial and error over the course of a couple of seasons. But understanding the strengths and weaknesses of various systems of play allows you to choose what’s right for your team – and the tactics and strategies you want to deploy.
How to work on tactics, strategies and systems at training
First and foremost, provide your players with game-realistic and relevant practices. If your tactics, strategies and systems are all set up to make the most of width on matchday, then your drills should match that. Design practices that use wide areas with opposition and goals. And add incentives to encourage the style of play you want. For example, think of a pitch split into three vertical channels. You could say that goals scored from the wide channels or via a cross from those areas are worth double.
To make it more realistic, think carefully about the numbers. In a match, it’s likely that the attackers are outnumbered. So, use overloads and underloads wisely to replicate the real game.
And if you have any insight into the opposition, use it. Build practices that focus on what they’re going to be doing. Then, your team can prepare for how they can solve the problems they will face on matchday.
How to work on tactics, strategies and systems on matchday
A good way to start working on tactics, strategies and systems on matchday is to rethink your warm-up. Don’t just take shots at the goalkeeper or do a rondo. Use a smaller version of a practice you used in training. A warm-up that brings out the approach you want to use in the match reinforces their learning – and links training to matchday.
Providing the team, units, or individuals with objectives or even challenges can help, too. Of course, it’s important not to overload players with information – so be clear and concise. But giving them a relevant instruction to remember or a challenge to achieve can be useful. For instance, say you like your team to press high. Setting them the challenge to win the ball back within five seconds of losing it will encourage this.
Then, at half-time with your team, discuss what’s working and what’s not. Identify what the opposition's trying to do and how, as a team, you can tweak your approach.
What to consider when working with different age groups
If you’re working with 5-11s, keep things really simple. Use terminology they will understand. For instance, asking players to press high might not resonate with them. But challenging them to hunt in packs could sound more fun. Think about how you could explain formations, too. Asking players to form and stay in a kite or diamond shape in a 5v5 format may be better than telling them to play in a 1-1-2-1 formation.
As players get older, you can start to go into more depth. You can provide them with more detailed instructions on how you want to play and their roles and responsibilities. Video clips and opposition analysis could play a part, too.
If you work in disability football, think about how you may need to tailor your sessions. And consider using tactics boards and demonstrations to enhance your communication.
But no matter who you coach, you need to put the players first. Think about what they need. And work on tactics, strategies and systems that are suitable for them.
Things to remember to help you with tactics, strategies and systems
