Book SummaryHow To Watch Football, by Tifo - The Athletic

1-Page Summary1-Page Book Summary of How To Watch Football

The Basic Principles of Soccer

Grasping the nuanced aspects of football that extend past the basic play.

Tifo emphasizes the need to pay attention to elements of the sport that go beyond the activities of the player currently holding the ball. Concentrating exclusively on the trajectory of the ball during the game provides just a narrow perspective of the full story, even though it's exciting.

The essence of a football match lies in the moments when the ball isn't being controlled by any player.

The author advises gaining insight into the intricacies of soccer by observing the positioning and actions of athletes when the ball is not under their control. Tifo highlights the staggering statistic that an average player only touches the ball for about 4.6% of a match. The remaining 95.4% of the time is filled with vital activities such as exerting pressure, providing defensive support, and making strategic changes, all of which are significant in swaying the game's result, and these occur independently of the ball's direct involvement.

Tifo highlights the importance by referencing the distinguished tenure of Xavi Hernández, the renowned orchestrator of Barcelona's gameplay. Xavi's exceptional ability to position himself and move around the field, which was even more impressive than his considerable passing talents, played a crucial role in creating chances for his teammates to get the ball. In the 2011 Champions League Final, Xavi engaged with the ball 156 times, demonstrating his skill in passing and his constant readiness to accept the ball. Tifo's analysis underscores the importance of observing a player's actions when they are without the ball to completely grasp their influence on the game.

Context

• Having 156 touches in a single match, especially in a high-stakes final, highlights Xavi's central role in orchestrating play and maintaining possession, which is crucial in Barcelona's strategy to wear down opponents.

Other Perspectives

• This perspective could diminish the appreciation for the artistry and creativity of players who excel in dribbling, shooting, and other on-the-ball skills that are equally important in shaping the outcome of a game.
• The 4.6% figure might be misleading without context; different positions on the field naturally involve varying amounts of ball contact. For instance, midfielders typically have more touches on the ball compared to defenders or forwards, which could suggest that the average is not representative of all roles within the team.
• While off-the-ball activities are undoubtedly important, the direct involvement of the ball is also critical as it is the only way goals can be scored, which ultimately decides the outcome of the match.
• The success of creating chances is not solely a function of one player's movement; it also requires precise timing and understanding between players, which is a result of team chemistry and practice.
• The effectiveness of Xavi's positioning and movement cannot be fully appreciated without considering his passing ability, as the two skills are deeply interconnected.

The importance lies in highlighting the roles, positioning, and interactions among team members rather than just their positions on the pitch.

Tifo encourages us to see beyond simple labels like "central defenders" or "forwards," focusing instead on the particular roles they fulfill within the team. Formations offer a fundamental structure, yet they fail to encapsulate the intricate and evolving duties of team members collaborating in unison. Tifo asserts that each player, even when playing in the same position, has a distinct way of handling their duties on the field. For instance, two central midfielders may be positioned in the same regions of the field, with one tasked with starting offensive plays and reliably delivering the ball to spark advancement, while the other focuses on retrieving the ball and making brief, safe passes.

To understand a player's role, one must carefully examine their individual contributions and how these actions bolster the team's overall strategy. Tifo motivates us to evaluate the distinct impacts and roles that a player brings to their team. Forwards have responsibilities beyond scoring goals; they might fall back to orchestrate attacking maneuvers or employ their nimbleness to create chances for their faster teammates. A defender stationed on the wing frequently moves beyond their typical defensive duties to participate in attacking maneuvers and deliver crosses, effectively functioning as an additional wide player. Focusing on the...

How To Watch Football Summary Deliberations on the approach and methods used in gameplay.

The inherent compromises associated with various formations

Tifo explores the crucial role that formations play in establishing a team's tactical approach and ensuring equilibrium between attacking and defending in football.

Football achieves a harmonious equilibrium where the robustness of defense and the potency of offense are perfectly aligned.

Tifo likens the structure of a football team to a puzzle, underscoring the necessity for each component to function in unison to ensure the effectiveness of the team's strategic approach. The writer posits that every tactical arrangement offers unique advantages and disadvantages, balancing the solidity of defense with the potency of offense.

Tifo emphasizes the changes in team formation by contrasting the conventional setup of a quartet of defenders, a midfield quartet, and a pair of strikers with a modern configuration that comprises three defenders, five midfielders, and two forwards. A team structure that includes a quartet of defenders, an equal number of midfielders, and a pair of forwards establishes a harmonious and well-proportioned framework that not only forms the basis for a solid defensive line but also offers...

How To Watch Football Summary Football's evolution

Innovative coaching methods and strategies have had a significant influence.

Tifo explores the enduring influence of trailblazing coaches and their groundbreaking strategies on the evolution of contemporary football.

The 1950s Hungarian team was celebrated for developing an innovative approach to tactics, characterized by their use of a lineup consisting of three defenders, two midfielders, three attacking midfielders, and two forwards, along with the introduction of the "False 9" position.

The book offers a comprehensive examination of the legendary 1950s Hungarian team, known as the "Mighty Magyars," and their pioneering coach, Gusztáv Sebes, who played a pivotal role in adopting an innovative tactical formation that included five midfielders and forwards, along with the unconventional strategy of deploying a deep-lying center-forward. Sebes developed a strategic approach that enabled his players to seamlessly swap roles on the field, breaking free from the restrictions of traditional fixed lineups, which resulted in an offense that was unpredictable and lively.

Their key player, Nándor Hidegkuti, epitomized the "false 9" by playing as a forward who retreated...

How To Watch Football Summary The significance of regulations and refereeing

Grasping the evolution and objectives of soccer's offside rule.

Tifo explores the evolution of the offside rule, highlighting its importance as a complex and often debated rule that substantially shapes the dynamics of football.

The development of the offside rule has significantly influenced the advancement of football as a sport.

Tifo emphasizes that the regulations dictating where players can be positioned relative to their opponents are often revised to preserve equilibrium between attacking and defending strategies. Originally, the rules of football dictated that a player would be deemed offside whenever they positioned themselves ahead of the ball at the time it was played, a stipulation that significantly limited attacking tactics and often resulted in low-scoring matches. The rule change in 1866 determined that a player would be deemed onside provided at least three opponents were nearer to the goal line, a stipulation that further encouraged a cautious and less energetic style of play.

Changes were subsequently introduced, including a reduction in the number of defenders required to keep an attacker onside and the introduction of the concept of "interfering...