Perhaps the most significant rule change within recent times in football was the adaptation to the static goal kick. As of 2019, outfield players were given the license to touch the ball inside their 18-yard box from a goal kick, rather than having to wait until the ball exited the box. This alteration added a…

The concept of verticality is often mentioned positively when discussing teams’ style of play. Typically, this is in reference to progressive verticality which seems intuitive considering the end goal of reaching the optimal destination to score, generally deep in the opponent’s half, wherever that may be contextually. However, progression is not linear. Sometimes to reach…

Space creation is one of the most fundamental and important concepts in football. As Xavi puts it, “I understand football as a time-space concept”. Whether you need to play out of the opponent’s high press, break down a low block or press yourself, you need to establish control over the influential spaces (these “influential spaces”…

In their last two league games, Brighton & Hove Albion have played some of the most beautiful football we’ve seen this season. Yet, they stay a side languishing in 16th place after having played 19 games. Many experts have predicted Brighton to find themselves in a tough relegation battle and not make it to the…

Matchday 17 of the 2020/21 Bundesliga season began on Tuesday, January 19, with a variety of appetizing matches; Borussia Mönchengladbach narrowly defeated Werder Bremen at home, Wolfsburg took all three points at Mainz, and Hoffenheim thrashed Hertha Berlin at the Olympiastadion to put Hertha manager Bruno Labbadia in even greater jeopardy of losing his job,…