Total football

How it is used

Use for coordinated positional interchange, not simply for attacking with many players.

Example sentences

1. The film illustrated total football by following how teammates filled vacated positions.

   Interchange works because another player preserves the team's structure.

2. Their version of total football required defenders to join attacks confidently.

   Players need skills beyond the tasks of a fixed starting position.

Common collocations

• principles of total football
• total-football approach
• play total football

Related terms

• 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.
• pressingA tactic in which players close down opponents quickly to win the ball back, often high up the pitch near the opponents' goal.

More terms: Formations & Tactics

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