Total Football is a tactical system used in association football. Under this system, any outfield player can take the role of another player in the field. Whenever a teammate is injured, an outfield player can take over that role. As a result, the team’s overall strategy is more effective. But what exactly is Total Football? What’s the most interesting thing about it? Read on to find out more! Once you’ve played Total Football, you’ll know whether it’s for you!
Johan Cruyff
One of the most influential coaches in world soccer was Dutchman Johan Cruyff. His total football philosophy encouraged his players to play in all four zones of the field. He had the strength and agility of a winger but also the finesse to make a precise pass into the goal area. He also had an exquisite sense of class. Whether he was dribbling, shooting or simply passing the ball, Cruyff was able to find the right spot to score a goal.
After leaving Ajax, Cruyff coached two teams – Ajax and Barcelona – for 10 years. He helped Barcelona win the first ever European Cup in 1992 at Wembley. Cruyff was sacked by Barcelona in 1995 but later returned as a coach and led them to two Eredivisie titles. In his final season, he led Feyenoord to their first Eredivisie title since 1949.
His triangle football formation allowed his players to have numerical superiority in the midfield, which led to increased ball possession. This allowed him to introduce new variations of triangle football. By bringing the wingers and full backs inside, Cruyff was able to create more attacking triangles on the pitch, which he believed was the best way to win matches. While defending, he was able to pass to the left or right foot. The wingers could also run in the midfield and scream instructions at his teammates.
The Dutch style of football owes its name to Johan Cruyff, a famous player from the 1970s. In Barcelona, Cruyff also identified with the Catalan cause, which made him resentful of Franco. In his frustration, he even named his son Jordi after the patron saint of Catalonia. In addition, he fought against the Franco dictatorship and died of cancer at age 39.
Rinus Michels
If you are a fan of football, you might have heard of Rinus Michels. The former coach of the Dutch national team in the 1970s was a man of few words, but he was a revolutionary thinker. His ‘Total Football’ philosophy has influenced many successful coaches in the world. But what makes Michels so special? Read on to learn more about this great coach. Listed below are some of his most memorable football moments.
While he was coaching in the Netherlands, Germany, and Spain, Michels was most closely associated with Ajax. He helped establish the Dutch connection with Barcelona. Ajax became a success in the ‘total football’ movement under his direction. In order to develop creative players, he forced the team to train for five sessions a day during pre-season. He also trained the esalade intensely to master the offside trap.
The formations of Michels’ teams reflected his philosophy of a diamond in the middle. The wide midfielders were placed in positions to produce passing systems and forced opponents to launch the ball high into the air. In this way, the opponents’ defensive structures were weakened, and Michels’ team had the ability to dominate possession. However, the diamond was only half of Michels’ success. Michels’ teams won many European championships, and the World Cup in 2004.
One of his most influential players, Rinus Michels, led a total football revolution in the Netherlands. His ‘Total Football’ movement was inspired by the Olympic Stadium in Amsterdam, which was located just a couple hundred meters from his home town. His talent did not come easily, but he was renowned for his work ethic and hard work. After a career-ending injury in 1958, Michels shifted into management. He managed local clubs in Amsterdam and later stepped into management. Initially, he managed Ajax, but soon shifted to relegation fodder.
In 1996, ‘Total Football’ brought together Michels’ career highlights and the evolution of the Dutch game. Ajax’s players used to press like mad, attack like maniacs, and link up with their teammates in the most efficient way possible. Moreover, the players were masters of their craft, but also fulfilled their responsibilities in other facets of the game. While Michels did not win the most trophies in his career, his legacy lives on.
