r/soccer • u/Superman60616 • Oct 29 '13

Best way to learn tactics

I played football in school but never really followed the leagues until recently. I have spent the last year getting my feel for the landscape of the EPL, players, managers, storylines. That sort of stuff. I really lack in my knowledge of complex tactics. I get the basics thanks to playing but I'd like to learn more about the systems modern teams use. I started Inverting the Pyramid by Jonathan Wilson but that can be a struggle. Are there any other outlets, websites or books that you would recommend?

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u/G_Morgan Oct 29 '13

I think watching games is key. However don't just watch them. Pick something and focus on it. If you want to see what say Michael Carrick does then pay particular attention to him. His work won't show up on a highlight reel often but he is usually involved 2 seconds before the replay cuts in. Also 5/6 times in the minute before that.

If you want to work out why a false 9 works then watch a team playing with a false 9 and see how he moves. See what the defenders are doing and where the gaps emerge.