Positional play in football is a term that has been popularized in recent years thanks to the success of teams such as Guardiola's FC Barcelona and Heynckes' Bayern Munich. Although the concept of position play has been around for decades, it was Pep Guardiola who took it to its maximum expression on the playing field and made it famous throughout the world.
In this article we are going to delve into what positional play is in soccer, how it works and what are their advantages and disadvantages.
What is positional play in soccer?
Positional play in football refers to a style of play in which the team in possession of the ball constantly seeks to create spaces to play and progress towards the opposing goal, through a series of movements and combinations.
Instead of relying on individuals to create scoring opportunities, positional play is based on teamwork and the ability of players to read and understand the play of their teammates.
The objective of positional play is to control the pace of the game and constantly create situations of numerical superiority in different areas of the playing field, which gives the team that has the ball the ability to dominate the game and control its timing.
How does positional play work in soccer?
Positional play is based on a series of principles that guide the behavior of players on the field of play. Next, we will explain the main principles of the position game:
- Team positioning: The team organizes itself on the field of play in a specific way to maximize the chances of progressing on the field of play. Normally, the team is organized in a tactical scheme that favors possession of the ball, with players distributed throughout the playing field, which allows them to receive the ball in different areas.
- Possession of the ball: The main objective of positional play is to maintain possession of the ball for as long as possible, allowing the team to control the pace of the match and prevent the opposing team from having the ball. Possession of the ball also allows the team to have control of the game and creates a feeling of security and confidence in the players.
- Player movements: The players of the team that has the ball constantly move on the field of play, seeking to create spaces and opportunities to play. Players can change positions with each other, or move to open space and receive the ball in free zones.
- Creating numerical superiority: Position play is based on the constant creation of situations of numerical superiority in different areas of the playing field. This is achieved through coordinated movements and good reading of the game, which allows the team that has the ball to have an advantage over the rival team.
- Team attack: Team attack is one of the fundamental principles of positional play. Players combine with each other to create scoring opportunities and take advantage of situations of numerical superiority. The objective is to create scoring situations and not depend on the individual ability of a player
- Team defense: As in attack, team defense is essential in positional play. The team that has the ball presses in a coordinated manner to recover the ball as soon as possible and prevent the rival team from having the possibility of creating scoring opportunities.
- The importance of the pass: The pass is one of the most important tools in positional play. The team that has the ball constantly looks for a safe and precise pass, which allows it to maintain possession of the ball and advance on the field of play.
- Patience: Position play requires patience on the part of the team that has the ball. Sometimes it is necessary to move the ball back to advance, and it is important not to be tempted to throw long, risky passes that could give the ball to the opposing team.
Advantages of positional play in soccer
The position game has several advantages, among which the following stand out:
- Match control: The team that uses positional play is in control of the pace of the game and can dictate the tempo of the game.
- Greater efficiency in possession: The team that has the ball constantly looks for a safe and precise pass, which allows it to maintain possession of the ball and advance on the field of play.
- Improved concentration: Positional play requires great concentration on the part of the players, which allows them to always be attentive and ready to create scoring opportunities.
- Opportunity creation: Positional play allows the team that has the ball to constantly create situations of numerical superiority in different areas of the playing field, which gives it the ability to create scoring opportunities.
Disadvantages of position play in soccer
However, position play also has some disadvantages, such as:
- Risk of losing the ball: Position play requires a high level of skill and concentration from players, which means there is a high risk of losing the ball in dangerous situations.
- Lack of creativity: Sometimes positional play can limit players' creativity and make the team overly reliant on predictable play patterns.
- Need of specific players:Positional play requires specific players, with specific technical and tactical skills, which can make it difficult for some teams to implement.
Conclusion
Positional play in soccer is a style of play that relies on teamwork and possession of the ball to create scoring opportunities and control the pace of the match. Although it has some disadvantages, positional play is an effective strategy that has been used with great success by teams such as FC Barcelona and Bayern Munich in the past.
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