understand the strengths and weaknesses of the different systems of play and consider the characteristics of the key roles and responsibilities within a system . The coach then needs to determine if the players in the squad have the technical , tactical , and physical attributes to fulfill these positions , roles , and responsibilities . Coaches need to consider the team ’ s system of play both in and out of possession , alongside how the team transitions from attack to defense and from defense to attack .
A strategy is the plan of action used to achieve an overall approach to a game , whereas tactics are the means to achieve the overall outcome . A team ’ s strategy refers to predetermined plans , which impact how a team , units , and individual players interact and coordinate planned , intended actions during a game . When devising a strategy for any given game , the coach should consider their preferred style of play , system , individual player strengths , and characteristics . For example , a coach who has a possession-based approach may consider applying strategies such as ; playing out from the back , retaining , and building through the thirds . The coach also needs to consider the out-of-possession strategy ( i . e ., high press , mid-block , low-block ) depending upon the sub-moment of the game . Furthermore , coaches should also consider the opposition ’ s style and system of play , strengths , and weaknesses , to plan the most appropriate strategies to exploit the opposition ’ s weaknesses in an attempt to win the game .
Tactics are the instructions provided by coaches to influence the team ’ s strategy and are the bridge between the coach ’ s vision , playing style , principles , and systems . Tactics are pre-planned and how coaches employ tactics will determine how players function and allow players to recognize specific patterns of play and team configurations rehearsed in training to develop efficient tactical behaviors to outperform the opposition . Players are required to select and apply the most appropriate tactical decision and execute the appropriate skill ( pass , dribble , shoot , etc .) at the right moment based on a ) the team ’ s tactical considerations , b ) individual position on the pitch , c ) teammates ’ positions , d ) the opposition . However , individual players and units must be able to respond , adapt , and apply voluntary tactical decisions to unexpected situations created by the opposition .
Coaches should be flexible in their approach to overcome problems posed by the opposition . For example , a coach may want a possession-based style , playing through the thirds , however , if the opposition employed a high-pressing style , the coach must decide to either continue with the chosen strategy and tactics or employ a different approach to overcome the opposition . The key for coaches is to have variable strategies and tactics , to recognize when to play into , though , over , onto , or around the opposition .
References
Delgado-Bordonau , J . & Mendez-Villanueva , A . ( 2012 ). Tactical periodization : Mourinho ’ s best-kept secret . Soccer NSCAA Journal , 3 , 28-34 .
Fernandez-Navarro , J ., Fradua , L ., Zubillaga , A ., Ford , P . R ., & McRobert , A . P . ( 2016 ). Attacking
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