Tactics
Why a Pressing Team Tries to Close the Easy Pass
Learn how to read pressing by tracing likely passes and teammate movement, so you can judge whether the ball carrier…
The reading list
All articles
Browse explanations of rules, tactics, roles and formats. Each piece starts with a clear question and unpacks the details that help make a game easier to follow.
Formats
Round Robin or Knockout: What the Format Rewards
Round robin or knockout formats give each result a different weight; learn how progression rules shape the stakes of a…
Roles
How Football’s Captain’s Armband Became a Matchday Signal
Learn how the football captain’s armband identifies a matchday role, why its design varies, and how to tell who is…
Watching
The Myth That More Possession Always Means More Control
Learn to read soccer possession as a match unfolds, spot when a team turns the ball into a real attacking threat, and…
Watching
A First Night Match: What to Watch as the Light Changes
A first night match is easier to follow when you notice how the light changes, compare your view across the pitch and…