Positional play

How it is used

Use for an organising approach, not merely any team that keeps possession.

Example sentences

1. Their positional play kept the winger wide while the midfielder occupied the inside channel.

   Different positions create complementary routes for the ball.

2. The coach paused the exercise to correct spacing in our positional play.

   The focus is the relationship between positions, not just pass completion.

Common collocations

• principles of positional play
• develop positional play
• positional-play structure

Related terms

• possessionControl of the ball by a team; also the percentage of time each team has the ball during a match.
• formationThe way a team arranges its outfield players on the pitch, written as numbers from defence to attack, such as 4-4-2 or 4-3-3.

More terms: Formations & Tactics

• line-up
• counter-attack
• pressing
• high line
• marking
• offside trap
• park the bus
• mid-block
• double pivot
• half-space
• rest defence
• cover shadow