Total Football: A Revolutionary Approach to Soccer
If you are a soccer fan, you have probably heard of the term "total football". But what does it mean exactly? And why is it considered a revolutionary approach to soccer? In this article, we will explain what total football is, how it was invented, and what are its main benefits. We will also provide you with some resources to learn more about this fascinating style of play and how you can download pdf books on total football.
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The history of total football
Total football is a tactical system in soccer in which any outfield player can take over the role of any other player in a team. It is a style of play that emphasizes fluidity, adaptability, and creativity. Although Dutch club Ajax and the Netherlands national team are generally credited with creating this system during the 1970s, there were other teams who had played a similar style before, such as the Austrian Wunderteam of the 1930s, the Argentine side "La Maquina" of River Plate in the 1940s, and the Golden Team of Hungary in the 1950s. [^1] [^2] [^3]
The early pioneers: Austria, Hungary, and Argentina
The first foundations for total football were laid by continental pioneer Jimmy Hogan, a Burnley native. Working with Austrian coach Hugo Meisl in the early 1930s, Meisl's Austria national team (known as the "Wunderteam") became possibly the first side to play total football. They used a 2-3-5 formation with a fluid five-man attack that bewildered their opponents. They reached the semi-finals of the 1934 World Cup and played Italy off the park despite losing 1-0. [^4]
Hogan's influence reached beyond the Austrian borders, as two decades later the Hungarian national team (also known as the "Golden Team") played a similar style of football under coach Gusztav Sebes. They used a 4-2-4 formation with a "false nine" striker who dropped deep to create space for his teammates. They dominated world soccer in the early 1950s, winning the Olympic gold medal in 1952 and reaching the final of the 1954 World Cup where they lost to West Germany in a shock upset. [^5]
Another team who played a similar style as the Austrians and Hungarians were River Plate in Argentina. Between 1941 and 1947, they formed a remarkable team known as "La Maquina" (The Machine), whose famous front five consisted of Carlos Munoz, Jose Manuel Moreno, Adolfo Pedernera, Angel Labruna, and Felix Loustau. They perfected the "false nine" style and the constant change of attack positions that confused their rivals. They won several domestic titles and became one of the most influential teams in South American soccer history. [^6]
The golden era: Ajax and the Netherlands in the 1970s
The team that popularized total football to the world was Ajax Amsterdam in the Netherlands. Under the guidance of coach Rinus Michels and the leadership of star player Johan Cruyff, Ajax developed a system that combined individual skill, collective movement, and high pressing. They won three consecutive European Cups between 1971 and 1973, and became the model for modern soccer.
The same style was adopted by the Netherlands national team, who reached the final of the 1974 and 1978 World Cups, losing both times to the hosts, West Germany and Argentina respectively. The Dutch team was nicknamed "Clockwork Orange" for their precision and efficiency on the pitch. They mesmerized the world with their fluid and dynamic play, which was dubbed "total football" by the media.
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The modern adaptations: Barcelona, Bayern Munich, and Manchester City
The legacy of total football lives on in some of the most successful teams of the 21st century. One of them is Barcelona, who under Pep Guardiola (a former pupil of Cruyff) won 14 trophies between 2008 and 2012, including two Champions League titles. Barcelona played a possession-based style that relied on short passes, movement, and pressing. They also used a "false nine" striker in Lionel Messi, who often dropped deep to create space and opportunities for his teammates.
Another team that followed the principles of total football was Bayern Munich, who under Jupp Heynckes won the treble of Bundesliga, German Cup, and Champions League in 2013. Bayern played a versatile and flexible style that allowed them to switch formations and positions depending on the situation. They also used a high defensive line and intense pressing to dominate their opponents.
A third team that has been influenced by total football is Manchester City, who under Pep Guardiola (again) have won three Premier League titles in four seasons between 2018 and 2021. Manchester City play a similar style as Barcelona and Bayern Munich, with a focus on possession, passing, movement, and pressing. They also use interchangeable positions and roles, such as full-backs who move into midfield, wingers who cut inside, and midfielders who drop into defense.
The tactics of total football
So how does total football work in practice? What are the main principles and roles that define this system? In this section, we will explain the tactics of total football in more detail.
The principles of total football: fluidity, adaptability, and creativity
The core idea behind total football is that any outfield player can take over the role of any other player in a team. This means that there are no fixed positions or formations in total football. Instead, there is a constant fluidity and adaptability in the way the players move and interact on the pitch.
This requires a high level of technical skill, tactical understanding, and spatial awareness from the players. They need to be able to play in different positions, switch roles with their teammates, and exploit the spaces that are created by their movement.
It also requires a high level of creativity and improvisation from the players. They need to be able to make quick decisions, find solutions to different problems, and surprise their opponents with unexpected actions.
The roles of total football: interchangeable positions, pressing, and possession
The main roles that define total football are:
Interchangeable positions: In total football, there are no fixed positions or formations. Instead, the players can swap roles with each other depending on the situation. For example, a defender can move forward to join the attack, a midfielder can drop back to cover for him, and a forward can move wide to create space for others.
Pressing: In total football, the players try to win back the ball as soon as possible after losing it. They do this by applying high pressure on their opponents all over the pitch. They try to force them into making mistakes or giving away possession.
Possession: In total football, the players try to keep the ball as much as possible when they have it. They do this by playing short passes, moving off the ball, and creating triangles with their teammates. They try to control the tempo and rhythm of the game.
The challenges of total football: coordination, communication, and concentration
While total football has many advantages, it also has some challenges and difficulties. The main challenges that face total football are:
Coordination: In total football, the players need to coordinate their movements and actions with each other. They need to know when to switch positions, when to press, and when to pass. They need to have a clear understanding of their roles and responsibilities.
Communication: In total football, the players need to communicate with each other constantly. They need to use verbal and non-verbal cues to signal their intentions, instructions, and feedback. They need to listen and respond to their teammates.
Concentration: In total football, the players need to maintain a high level of concentration throughout the game. They need to be aware of their surroundings, their opponents, and their teammates. They need to be alert and focused on their tasks.
The benefits of total football
Total football is not only a successful and attractive style of play, but also a beneficial one. There are many benefits that come from playing total football, such as:
Physical benefits: fitness, strength, and endurance
Playing total football requires a lot of physical effort and energy from the players. They need to run, sprint, change direction, and tackle for 90 minutes or more. This improves their fitness, strength, and endurance levels. It also helps them prevent injuries and recover faster.
Mental benefits: intelligence, confidence, and teamwork
Playing total football also requires a lot of mental skills and abilities from the players. They need to think, decide, solve, and create for 90 minutes or more. This improves their intelligence, confidence, and teamwork skills. It also helps them cope with pressure and adversity.
Social benefits: fun, enjoyment, and camaraderie
Playing total football is not only a challenge but also a pleasure for the players. They get to enjoy the game, express themselves, and cooperate with their teammates. This increases their fun, enjoyment, and camaraderie levels. It also helps them develop friendships and bonds with their peers.
Conclusion
In conclusion, total football is a revolutionary approach to soccer that has been invented by several teams in different eras but popularized by Ajax and the Netherlands in the 1970s. It is a style of play that emphasizes fluidity, adaptability, and creativity in both attack and defense. It has many benefits for the players in terms of physical, mental, and social aspects.
If you want to learn more about total football, we recommend you to download some pdf books on this topic. Some of the best books on total football are:
TitleAuthorDescription
David WinnerA cultural analysis of how Dutch history, art, and philosophy influenced the development of total football.
Simon KuperA historical account of how Ajax survived the Nazi occupation of Amsterdam and became a symbol of resistance and liberation.
Marti PerarnauA behind-the-scenes look at how Pep Guardiola implemented his version of total football at Bayern Munich.
We hope you enjoyed this article and learned something new about total football. If you did, please share it with your friends and leave us a comment below. And don't forget to download your pdf books on total football today!
FAQs
What are some of the best books on total football?
Some of the best books on total football are:
Brilliant Orange: The Neurotic Genius of Dutch Soccer by David Winner
Ajax: The Dutch, The War: The Strange Tale of Soccer During Europe's Darkest Hour by Simon Kuper
Pep Confidential: The Inside Story of Pep Guardiola's First Season at Bayern Munich by Marti Perarnau
How can I practice total football with my team?
To practice total football with your team, you need to:
Train your technical skills such as passing, dribbling, shooting, and heading
Train your tactical understanding such as positioning, movement, and decision-making
Train your physical fitness such as speed, stamina, and strength
Train your mental skills such as concentration, communication, and confidence
Play small-sided games with different rules and scenarios to practice total football principles
Who are some of the best players and coaches of total football?
Some of the best players and coaches of total football are:
Johan Cruyff: The legendary player and coach who led Ajax and the Netherlands to glory in the 1970s. He is widely regarded as the father of total football and one of the greatest soccer minds of all time.
Pep Guardiola: The former Barcelona player and coach who learned from Cruyff and applied his version of total football at Barcelona, Bayern Munich, and Manchester City. He is widely regarded as one of the best coaches in the world.
Lionel Messi: The current Barcelona star who plays as a "false nine" striker and is considered by many as the best player in the world. He is known for his dribbling, passing, scoring, and creativity.
What are some of the drawbacks or limitations of total football?
Some of the drawbacks or limitations of total football are:
It requires a lot of time and effort to master the system and develop the players.
It requires a lot of trust and cooperation among the players and the coach.
It can be vulnerable to counter-attacks, physical play, or defensive tactics.
It can be difficult to implement in different contexts or cultures.
How can I watch total football matches online?
To watch total football matches online, you can use various streaming services or websites that offer live or recorded soccer games. Some of the options are:
: A subscription-based service that offers access to various soccer leagues and tournaments around the world.
: A subscription-based service that offers access to various soccer channels and networks in the US.
: A subscription-based service that offers access to various soccer channels and networks in the US.
: A free website that provides links to various soccer streams from different sources.
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