If you want to be an intelligent soccer player, it’s a good idea to get to know the various kinds of formations ( ) used today and the tactics and strategies that go along with each one. Soccer formations have changed drastically throughout the years. The formation of a team highly influences the tactics they will use to win. Tactical knowledge refers to a player’s knowledge of the nature and structure of the game. In fact, spatial awareness is also closely related to the next game intelligence skill, tactical knowledge. Spatial awareness is a complicated skill which encompasses many other skills absolutely essential to achieving success in football.
They know how to position themselves and others to make wide angles and easy passing opportunities for themselves while on offense and narrow angles and difficult passing opportunities for their opponents while on defense. In fact, scouts often look for this sixth sense of a footballer.įinally, intelligent players are extremely aware of the geometry of the game. There are two reasons they need to know where their teammates are and should be: (1) to tell them where they should be if they’re not there, and (2) to anticipate their teammate’s position and make a quick, instinctive pass almost without looking. Secondly, intelligent players are always aware of where their teammates are and where they should be according to the positioning of the other team.
According to the position of the ball, their own teammates, and their opponents, where should they be? Should they be moving into a space to receive a pass? Should they be drawing defenders away from their teammate who has the ball to create open space for them?
What does it mean to see space clearly?įirst of all, players need to be aware of the immediate space around them. Spatial awareness refers to a player’s ability to see space clearly across the entire pitch and utilize it to their advantage.