What is Total Football?

Total Football is a European soccer strategy that emphasizes teamwork, flexibility, and adaptability.

The concept involves players in a team replacing each other when one of them goes out of position. This creates more spacing and tactical mastery of different positions.

It’s all about taking calculated risks and being able to cover for each other!

Source: https://tacticallyspeaking.co.uk/2023/01/30/the-next-big-tactical-advancement-why-total-football-will-return/

Here’s a great explanation by Coach Beard from the show Ted Lasso.

Who Invented Total Football?

English coach Jimmy Hogan is credited as the architect of Total Football.

Hogan coached several teams in Europe, including the Netherlands national team, and introduced the concept of Total Football to them.

Yet, Rinus Michels, the coach of Ajax Amsterdam and the Netherlands national team in the 1970s, popularized Total Football.

Michels refined Hogan’s ideas and implemented them with great success. This led to Ajax winning three consecutive European Cups. The Netherlands’s team found success and made it to the World Cup final in 1974.

Michels’ protégé, Johan Cruyff, is its most famous predecessor.

Cruyff was a master of the Total Football concept. He used his exceptional vision, technique, and game IQ to win games and inspire his teammates.

He became a successful coach, spreading the play of Total Football to Barcelona and beyond.

Impact on Modern Soccer

Versatility in Positions

One of the most significant impacts of Total Football is the emphasis on versatility.

Players are no longer confined to one position on the field.

Instead, they are encouraged to be comfortable with the ball and able to play multiple positions.

This has led to a more fluid style of play, with players often switching positions throughout the game. Defenders become attackers and attackers are responsible for defending.

Pressing to Win the Ball Back

Another key aspect of Total Football is the concept of pressing.

Teams that employ this tactic aim to win the ball back as quickly as possible, often in the opponent’s half of the field. This puts pressure on the opposing team and can lead to turnovers and scoring opportunities.

Playing the Ball From the Backline

Total Football also popularized the idea of playing out from the back.

This involves starting attacks from the goalkeeper or defenders, rather than simply hoofing the ball up the field.

This approach requires a high level of technical skill and composure but can be very effective in breaking down stubborn defenses.

Many of the best youth soccer teams have developed this strategy and it’s working.

I love seeing teams start their attack from the back. This makes the field bigger, the defense has to shift and provides more lanes to attack.

Controlling Possession

Total Football’s impact can be seen in the modern obsession with possession.

Teams that dominate possession are often able to control the pace of the game and create more scoring opportunities.

This is a direct result of the Dutch philosophy, which emphasized the importance of keeping the ball and using it effectively.

It can be frustrating playing against teams that proactively retain possession of the ball. The defending team can only hope that they make a bad touch or pass.

Famous Coaches That Used the Total Football Concept

Here are some of the most successful coaches who have implemented the Total Football concept. Most recently, Pep has led Man City to a rare treble.

Rinus Michels

Rinus Michels was a Dutch football player and coach who is widely regarded as the father of Total Football.

He was the first coach to implement the system at Ajax Amsterdam in the 1970s, where he won four Dutch league titles and three European Cups.

Michels was also the coach of the Netherlands national team that reached the World Cup final in 1974, where they lost to West Germany.

But, the world fell in love with the concept of his style of play.

Johan Cruyff

Johan Cruyff was a Dutch footballer and coach who is widely regarded as one of the greatest players in the history of the sport.

He played for Ajax Amsterdam and Barcelona, where he won numerous domestic and international titles. Cruyff was the star player of the Netherlands team that reached the World Cup final in 1974, where they played Total Football.

He later became a coach and implemented the system at Barcelona, where he won four consecutive La Liga titles and the European Cup in 1992.

Pep Guardiola

Pep Guardiola is a Spanish former footballer and current coach of Manchester City.

He is widely regarded as one of the best coaches in the world and is known for his implementation of Total Football principles in his teams.

Guardiola played under Johan Cruyff at Barcelona and later became the coach of the team, where he won numerous domestic and international titles.

He later coached Bayern Munich and implemented the system there as well, winning three consecutive Bundesliga titles.

Guardiola’s teams are known for their possession-based style of play and their ability to interchange positions on the field.

Here is a clip of his philosophy…

Critiques and Limitations

While Total Football has been widely praised for its fluidity and creativity, it has also faced some criticisms and limitations. Here are a few points to consider:

• Physical demands: Total Football requires players to be highly fit and versatile. Players should be capable of playing multiple positions and constantly moving around the pitch. This can be physically demanding and may increase the risk of injuries.
• Tactical flexibility: While Total Football emphasizes the importance of fluidity and improvisation, it also requires a high degree of tactical discipline and coordination. Players must be able to adapt quickly to changing situations and communicate effectively with each other.
• Overreliance on individual brilliance: Total Football places a lot of emphasis on individual skill and creativity. This can sometimes lead to overreliance on star players to make things happen. This can be problematic if those players are injured or having an off-day.
• Vulnerability to counterattacks: Total Football involves a lot of attacking play and high defensive line. This can leave teams vulnerable to counterattacks if they lose possession. This means that teams must be able to recover quickly and defend as a unit.

Final Thoughts on Total Football

While in concept, Total Football appears to be a successful strategy, it does require teams to have the right players.

In the U.S., this strategy isn’t taught enough. We pigeonhole young players into positions and continue playing “boot ball”.

As we’ve seen the recent success with Pep and Man City, more teams should consider this style of play.

Not waiting for the opponent to do something but rather for your team to decide how you will control the peace is a key ingredient for success! This is where Total Football shines.