David Garcia Profile picture
Apr 18, 2023 8 tweets 4 min read Read on X
Don't overthink it.

Blindside positioning will always break lines, no matter the level of football.

Look...🧵👇 ImageImageImage
Forget about all of those circles and numbers I've drawn in the tweet above.

You don't need to overthink it.

When the ball carrier has supporting options behind the line (blindside) that is pressing, you can almost guarantee a successful build-up.
In this first sequence, Aston Villa's CB is pressed.

One of their #6s supports behind the line that is pressing (blindside).

Simple pass, simple reception, simple turn.

Repeat with the midfield line and ends in a goal. ImageImage
In this sequence (which is almost identical).

CB is pressed.

#6 supports behind the line.

Simple pass, reception, turn.

Repeat with the midfield line and goal. ImageImage
Here's the first sequence:
Here's the second sequence:
Unai Emery has always provided players with simple systems that provide players with the most opportunities to excel.

With simplicity comes high-quality interactions resulting in effective football. Image
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More from @IJaSport

Feb 11
THE MOST DANGEROUS SPACE

I’ve written about this space on countless occasions but I'll keep banging on like a broken record for the simple reason that it’s the basis of all football strategy.

Let’s dive into why this space is so important and how teams attack it...🧵👇 Image
Because teams heavily defend the space behind their back line, the space in front of the defending back line is the objective for build ups

The catalyst for goal scoring chances is an attacking player in possession facing the defending back line

🎥 from Positional Play Course
Teams have found so many ways of the defending this ever-important space.

👥 Some defending teams will flood this space with 2 or sometimes 3 central midfielders
⏩ Some will task center backs to step up and defend that space
🪓 Some will task a specialist player to defend it
Read 14 tweets
Jan 24
How do teams beat high presses? It’s one of the most exciting moments of the game that make or break a team’s performance.

Like walking a tight rope, play it right and you’re on the other side unscathed.

Get it wrong and it’s in the back of your goal…

Let’s break it down👇🧵Image
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As with all football this starts with space.

- Is there space to play in?
- Which space do we want to play in?
- How much space do we need to play effectively in?
- How can we create that space in said place?

These are unconsciously and collectively decided upon during a match.Image
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Against a high press, teams differ and situations differ about how all of these questions are answered.

However, there is one common factor; the ball attracts opponents, drawing them out of other spaces. Image
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Read 11 tweets
Dec 21, 2024
I am lucky enough to be able to have coached the 9v9 game format for many years now. In that time I have grown to really love this particular stage of football.

Here are FIVE REASONS WHY I LOVE COACHING 9v9 FOOTBALL 🧵👇 Image
THE COMPLEXITY BALANCE.

I love football, you do too. And the reason we love it is because there is so much depth to it.

However, in my opinion, the 9v9 game format has the perfect balance of complexity and simplicity.

There are tactics but not too many. It’s perfect. Image
THE POTENTIAL OF DEVELOPMENT.

I have coached many ages and levels from senior teams to 4 year olds.

They all have their pros and cons, but what I love most is seeing football development occur right in front of my eyes.

9v9 age players are primed for quick development. Image
Read 7 tweets
Dec 11, 2024
Understanding Football Through Systems Thinking: Positional Play Decoded

THREAD TO UNDERSTAND POSITIONAL PLAY BEYOND THE CLICHÉS 🧵👇 Image
Football is full of interactions

Every pass, tackle, and movement impacts the game. It's not just about individual brilliance; it's how players interact within a system

That's where Positional Play comes in

It's not just a tactic; it's a philosophy rooted in Systems Theory Image
Think of a flock of birds moving in perfect harmony. Each bird reacts to its neighbors, creating a mesmerizing, flowing pattern. Image
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Read 13 tweets
Dec 6, 2024
Tiny micro movements is the difference between a top player from the average player

They are done almost imperceptibly, often unconsciously, with ease and speed

Kevin De Bruyne’s goal is a masterclass of what a top player does to around the goal to make facilitate scoring 🧵👇 Image
Nowadays scoring is so difficult with teams defending deep with many players.

Gaining five yards in these situations is vital.

That’s what KDB does.

Look where he starts offering himself as passing option to Doku and where he ends up receiving and ultimately shooting it from.Image
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It all starts here.

It’s a situation where the Nottingham Forest are forced into two separate 2v2 situations.

The first around the ball. Doku and Grealish force their direct opponents to defend them wide.

The second Gvardiol making a breaking run behind creating space for KDB.Image
Read 13 tweets
Nov 23, 2024
Guardiola's defensive struggles have taught me something about football that could be applied to all teams.

Discover how Manchester City's recent defensive struggles have exposed a fundamental tactical challenge in modern football.

Let’s dive in 🧵👇 Image
The theme that I want you to keep in mind throughout this entire thread is DEPTH.

Depth: The distance from the top to the bottom of something. We are talking about the depth of a defensive block - from the highest player to the lowest player.
Within the DEPTH, we are specifically going to be talking about the DENSITY.

Density: The amount of something per area, volume, or length. In football it’s the number of players in a given area.
Read 13 tweets

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