Principles Are PERMANENT, Tactics Are Temporary

Many football players struggle when they encounter a new playing style. They lack the tools to adapt and often find themselves lost on the field. This is because they've been taught tactics instead of principles.

After a year of coaching at SoccerViza, coaching over 400 players from dozens of countries and from all 50 states, I've seen the struggle my players have had when attempting to adjust to different styles of football.

When I speak to them, I see that many of them don't have frameworks to solve football problems. Due to their lack of frameworks, they struggle to effectively internalize and apply the advice I give them. It has to do with the football system in the USA. You speak to parents and hear them ask players what club you play for or who you train with but those clubs don’t have an identity, but in Europe, it's different.

The European Approach

In many footballing nations, particularly those with strong youth development systems, the term "curriculum" is often used to describe the coaching philosophy, methodology, and player development pathway of a club or academy. I love that they use the word "curriculum" because football is just like any other field. You have to become an expert in your field to excel. When a scout or parents hears a player was developed in Ajax or Liverpool, that player already has an identity attached to them. They have been given an education in how to solve football problems.

For example, in the Ajax youth academy, players are taught the principles of positional play from a young age, emphasizing spatial awareness, passing angles, and creating triangles. This focus on principles allows players to adapt to different tactical systems and playing styles throughout their careers.

The method may vastly change, but the principles of play are all taught in development. That foundation sets them up to ask the proper questions when playing with a new club. Many players don't have the football education to ask the proper questions to solve their confusion. This emphasis on principles is what I found lacking in my own youth soccer experience. My youth club never told me what the principles of play were, how they're divided into attacking principles and defensive principles, or how to understand the four phases of football.

The Four Phases of Football

• In possession

• Out of possession

• Attacking transition

• Defensive transition

Principles = Adaptability: The Key to Longevity

In football, adaptability is essential for a long and successful career. You'll inevitably play for different coaches, each with their own philosophies, tactics, and expectations. Being able to adjust your game to fit their system will keep you in the lineup and maximize your playing time.

Think of it like this: in the animal kingdom, it's not always the strongest or the fastest that survive, but those who adapt best to their changing environment. This holds true in football as well. Players who cling to rigid tactics and fail to embrace new ideas will struggle to keep up.

Principles, unlike tactics, provide a foundation for understanding the game at a deeper level. They allow you to adapt to different coaches, different teams, and even different positions on the field. By mastering the core principles of attacking, defending, and transitioning, you'll be equipped to thrive in any situation.

But how do principles actually make you more adaptable?

They help you understand the "why" behind tactics. When you grasp the underlying principles, you can apply those tactics more effectively in different contexts. For example, if you know the principle behind overlapping runs is to create width and overload the defense, you can apply that same principle whether you're playing as a fullback, a winger, or even a central midfielder.

They enhance your problem-solving skills. A strong grasp of principles enables you to analyze situations and make intelligent decisions on the field, regardless of the specific tactics employed.

They improve your communication. Understanding principles allows you to communicate more effectively with coaches and teammates, even if they use different terminology.

Start thinking about the principles behind your actions on the field. Why does your coach want you to play a certain way? What are the underlying principles at play? By actively seeking to understand the "why," you'll become a more adaptable and intelligent player.

By focusing on principles, you can develop a deep understanding of the game that transcends any specific tactic or formation. This understanding will not only make you a more adaptable player but also a more intelligent one, equipped to ask the right questions. So, start studying different teams, analyze their principles of play in attack and defense, and master the four phases of the game. This will give you the framework to understand any coach's instructions and truly unlock your football IQ on the field.

“It is not the strongest of species that survives, nor the most intelligent, but the one most adaptable to change.“ - Charles Darwin