Using tactical principles
When a coach wants their team to play a certain way, there must be careful consideration of a variety of factors — including the capabilities of the players. If the squad can’t execute specific football actions due to factors like age, physical limitations, or technical gaps, then the tactical principles proposed could become unrealistic or place a substantial overload on the team.
If a team can successfully apply tactical principles, communication between players gains a more defined meaning and the chance of achieving a positive result rises significantly. But for that to happen, coaches need to understand how to implement and adapt these principles effectively.
Below are 10 key considerations every coach should keep in mind when working with tactical principles:
1. Align Intentions and Abilities
Any player can contribute to tactical principles, but their intentions must align with the team’s goals — and they must possess the ability to execute them.
2. Keep It Clear and Concise
Simplify communication. Provide clear, concise explanations of principles so players can act with purpose.
3. Keep the “What” Steady, Adjust the “How”
Maintain the core principle (“what”) but make small adjustments in execution (“how”) before overhauling the entire approach.
4. Avoid Overload Through Constant Change
Frequent, significant changes overwhelm players and disrupt learning. Consistency builds understanding and progress.
5. Review Before Reacting
If results aren’t going your way, assess overall performance before altering tactical principles. Always review player abilities to determine their impact on the system.
6. Attacking Outcome: Score
The best attacking outcome is scoring. Analyse how your players can achieve this in the most effective way possible.
7. Defending Outcome: Win the Ball Back
The best defensive outcome is regaining possession. Determine the most effective ways your players can do this.
8. Cover for Weaknesses Without Overburdening
If a player can’t contribute fully to a principle, others may need to cover — but be aware of the additional physical and mental load this creates.
9. Link Attacking and Defending
Attacking and defending principles must complement each other. When the ball is lost — what’s the reaction? When the ball is regained — what’s the plan?
10. Test Against Stronger Opposition
Facing higher-ranked teams can expose flaws and test the durability of your tactical principles. Pre-season is a great time for this.
It’s important to have clear “if this happens, we do that” frameworks. But success with tactical principles relies on more than ideas — it needs time. Time for players to learn, adapt, and internalise principles so they become second nature.