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Counterattacking is an art of space and timing, where players need to trust each other implicitly. Forwards must trust that their midfielders will regain possession and find them with accurate passes. Simultaneously, players must make forward runs, attacking the space and aiming to get on the “wrong side” of defenders, with the wider aim being to create an overload on the defensive line. This trust allows the attackers to focus on positioning and movement without worrying whether the ball will arrive. Effective counterattacks require more than trust. Players pre-empt turnovers – to start thinking about how to attack while they are still defending. This level of strategic anticipation allows the initial defenders to react quicker than their opponents when possession changes, providing them with an advantage as they initiate the counterattack and offer into the correct space ahead. Brighton provide a perfect example of this strategy in action. They are well-known for their willingness to break out early, catching the opposition unprepared. The movements of their players are aggressive and forward-focused, putting pressure on the last defenders as early as possible. Instead of forwards offering the short and easy passing options, Brighton players attack the gaps ahead, trusting their teammates to make the right decisions with the ball. This approach is risky, as it may leave them exposed at the back if the ball is lost, but when executed properly, becomes devastatingly effective. The trust between players, combined with the ability to anticipate turnovers and make aggressive forward runs, allows teams like Brighton to create scoring opportunities that can surprise and overwhelm their opponents. This blend of trust, anticipation, and aggression exemplifies the art of the counterattack in football. #riseplayeragency #footballperformanceagency #footballanalysis #soccer #calcio #footballagents

Check out my article discussing some of the Yankees biggest holes and some possible trade candidates to help fill them!

The first game of the Euros 2024: Germany vs. Scotland. How will 🏴󠁧󠁢󠁳󠁣󠁴󠁿 play? • They usually play in a narrow 5-4-1, so the space in the center is very important for them. Scotland sits deep of the ball; the pressing trigger is the pass from the CB to the WB. In this case, it will be essential for Germany to play, almost to find the space behind the defenders. • Germany often wants to find the space between the lines with Musiala and Wirtz. Scotland wants to deny this space; it will be their main challenge today. • One big point is discipline. They don't slide, they close down the spaces well, they don't allow themselves to be provoked, and they are there when they need to be. Germany will have to be patient. • If Germany is not patient, then Scotland will use this in the transition. Because of the high build-up, the space behind the defenders is large. The Strikers always run into this space when Scotland have won the ball. Che Adams is the right striker for these counter-attacks. • In the structured build-up, the midfielders are pushing high on the pitch and overloading the center. So the midfielders have a key role in the offensive system because they have the space in front of the opponents defenders for dribbling, or they have the opportunity to carry the ball in the half-spaces. 

Performing at your best requires an understanding of both your own role and ability, along with those of the opposition you are up against. Every league has its peculiar quirks and differences. Failing to adapt your game to the level to make the most of certain opportunities while minimising the risk of dangers is a major mistake. While it is easy to classify leagues by their “farmer” status, the differences between them are actually far more pronounced. A player like Kulusevski struggling to make his mark at Juventus can come to Spurs and suddenly look twice the player. Lukaku can get regular grief in the Premier League but dominate Serie A. Spacing varies at different levels in both width and depth, meaning the time one can create for themselves on the ball as well as the passing options typically available after are different. Beyond this, there are also varied tactical schemes in each league rather than one favoured universal approach. Players who rise through the league system like Vardy do so because they are able to exploit specific strengths in their game while hiding lesser abilities (at least until they have had time to develop them up to the standard required). An excellent player can underperform simply due to the fact they do not understand and/or are not adapting to the requirements of the level. That leaves an open door for tactically aware players who are able adapt their game to the environment. With each level in England, teams become greater at pressing and closing space off. This also means higher defensive lines are kept. That said, the emphasis is heightened on smart movements in behind to both create chances oneself and space further back. The best attacking players in the Premier League all share this commonality and it is one reason that inside forwards with freedom to get in behind like Salah and Son have become the leading goal scorers. Vardy thrived on this at Leicester by making it the focal point in his game. #RISEplayeragency #football #performance #jamievardy

The Franchise Edge breaks down the science of speed and drills to help you become a blur on the ice. #hockeytraining #development #FranchiseEdge https://lnkd.in/gRGmF9Q5

The Royals Hall of Fame Ballots are out. There's a long list of players with ties to the 2014/2015 World Series teams. Who measures up? Rany Jazayerli (Co-Founder Baseball Prospectus/@Jazayerli) and Soren Petro (Sports Radio 810-WHB, 810whb.com/@SorenPetro) are discussing the latest candidates for the Royals Hall of Fame as well as who should the Royals be looking at giving a long term contract to. - Which player or players should the Royals be looking to lock up? - Who is on Petro's Royals HOF ballot? - Who would Rany vote for? - Which player was the toughest cut? - What player just makes the cut?

Speed is a crucial attribute in football. Players who possess high levels of speed can easily break away from defenders and create scoring opportunities for themselves or their teammates. Speed also enables players to recover quickly on defense and close down attackers ✅✅✅✅

Part 2: Defensive Actions: In the attached report 2 actions have been presented - Pressure, Interception, Block, Tackle. A similar pattern can be observed to the previous passing report. When England switch the gears and start to assert themselves into the game, they bring the game a lot closer to their opponents goal. This is the most evident in the Interceptions made after conceding. At first glance there is not much difference in the zones where the team pressures between the two periods. However, when looking it in conjunction with the interceptions data, there is a lot that can be seen. Firstly, the interceptions come closer to the opposition goal, but also more importantly, there are more players that have made interceptions - indicating that the regaining of possession is a team effort. That is contrasting to the initial period where only the front three were applying pressure on their own. In conclusion, when the team starts pressing together and is trying to be on the front foot - good things happen. To see the full report visit https://lnkd.in/dWF_yrJU

In my latest video, I talk about good governance in football. What are the characteristics of a well governed football organisation? For a layman, how one can understand the basics of a good governance in a football organisation. What are the yardsticks to evaluate the governance model? Please do watch and share your feedback. #football #governance #goodgovernance #transparency https://lnkd.in/gqfjduwT

Spain's integration of fast play from deep into their traditional style of dominating possession was a key factor in their success at Euro 2024. This new dimension allowed them to become more unpredictable and versatile, particularly in the final, where both goals they came from combinations in depth. KEY PRINCIPLES OF DEEP GAME: 1. DEEP PASSING GAME: Spain use quick, forward-oriented passing to move quickly from defense to attack. This approach contrasts with their typical build-up of patience, focusing instead on quick ball progression and progression to surprise the opposition. 2. EXPLOITING THE SPACES BETWEEN THE LINES: Players like Pedri and Lamine Yamal and Nico Williams are crucial to finding and exploiting the spaces between the lines. Pedri (and Olmo after Pedri's QF injury) in particular are positioned to receive forward passes and connect play effectively, while the pace and dribbling skills of Yamal and William allow Spain to break through defensive lines. 3. EXPLOSIVE ACTIONS AND DYNAMIC RUNS: Forwards and midfielders make dynamic runs to create space and opportunities for vertical progression. Alvaro Morata, for example, often stands out behind the defense, providing options for progression through midfield. 4. ATTACK SUPPORT FULL-BACKS: Full-backs such as Dani Carvajal and Marc Cucurella support the play in depth by overlapping, providing width and creating additional passing options. Their ability to be quick support to the attack helps maintain the momentum of the forwards in depth. 5. WIDTH AN IMPORTANT FACTOR: Spain often combine vertical play with wide play, using quick one-twos and overlaps to break down defences. The interplay between the full-backs and full-backs on both flanks is designed to stretch the opposition horizontally while the progression of the ball is in depth. 6. PRESSING AND COUNTER-PRESSING TO RECOVER POSSESSION : Having lost the ball, Spain's advanced counter-pressing aims to win it back quickly, allowing them to maintain intensity and continue their attacks in depth. This aggressive dominance helps maintain their offensive momentum and keep the opposition in a time and space crunch.