A Matter of ‘Principles’

In one of my earlier Blogs (Feb 21^st 2013) I wrote about the Principles of Play, explained how they oppose each other in Attack and Defense and how important it is for coaches to understand them. Before you read any further, can you name the four Principles of Attack and the opposing Principles of Defense?

The reason they need to be fully understood is that everything in football is based on the Principles of Play, i.e. Delaying attacks, Supporting the player on the ball or Penetrating the opposition’s defense by dribbling or making forwards runs so the ball can be played between the lines or behind the last line of defense.

I have enclosed a diagram, courtesy of ‘The Coaching Manual’, which is another way to explain the Principles of Play and how the game situation might influence decision-making.

What I like about it is the logical process of thinking in line with the game situation. For example, on the defending side the third question is, ‘Are you outnumbered?’ The answer, Yes or No, has a response, Delay or Pressure. The implications are that if you are outnumbered you Delay, by dropping off, if you are not outnumbered, you Delay by applying Pressure.  While this is good for explaining the decision making process it may cause some confusion (if you do not fully understand) because dropping off when outnumbered and pressing opponents when you are not outnumbered are both ways of applying the ‘Principle of Delay’.

It is important to differentiate between ‘The Principles of Play’ and their application in the game. How ‘The Principles’ are applied is often referred to as a playing style or philosophy, e.g. possession based with quick transition, or immediate pressing as soon as possession is lost. This is why it is easy for coaches to be confused when the term ‘Principles’ is used too often or in the wrong context. I have heard coaches say that ‘Pressing’ is a Principle of Defense; it isn’t, it is an application of ‘The Principle of Delay’. This simple example is why it is so important for coaches to understand the difference and in my opinion, why the term ‘Principle’ should be used with caution, to avoid confusion.

I have written this Blog because in FFA’s, ‘The Curriculum’ and in the document ‘The Football Coaching Process’, ‘The Principles of Play’, are not mentioned.  However, on Page 22 it has ‘Principles for scoring goals’, ‘Principles for preventing goals’, ‘A set of guiding principles’ and ‘philosophical principles’. On page 37 in ‘The Football Coaching Process’ it states there are 17 principles, which include ‘Quick forward passing’, ‘Quick forward movement’, ‘Deny opponents time and space’ and ‘Controlled possession in the middle third’, among others, some of which I have to admit I do not understand, e.g. ‘Combination Play – disorganized opponent’.

I am concerned that the younger generation of coaches in Australia may be confused if they are asked, ‘What are ‘The Principles of Play?’ What would your answer be?