Henk Mariman’s Post

The Debate: Philosophy vs. Pragmatism in Modern Football This morning, I tuned in to an intriguing debate about a growing trend in football: teams increasingly adopting a passive "play out from the back" style, aiming to control possession in the defensive and middle thirds of the pitch. Last weekend, I caught up with an ex-colleague to watch ‘Match of the Day’ As we watched, something became clear—nearly every goal on the program stemmed from mistakes made by teams trying to build from the back. It sparked an important question: "Are modern coaches more concerned with preserving their style of play than adapting for results?" One of the key discussions centered around Russell Martin’s Southampton side, who faced Bournemouth on Monday night. Despite losing five of their opening six Premier League games, Southampton remained committed to their possession-based, controlled style. Was this a matter of stubborn philosophy or an unwillingness to adapt? Pundits were quick to draw comparisons to Vincent Kompany, who maintained a similar philosophy with Burnley last season. Even though Burnley were relegated, Kompany was later offered a top managerial role at Bayern Munich. It raised the question: Does Kompany’s illustrious playing career afford him more credibility? Were his employers betting on his style being more successful with higher-calibre players? Perhaps Russell Martin, too, might find his next opportunity rooted in his ideals rather than his results—a reversal of the traditional "win-at-all-costs" mentality. Having worked as a coach in youth development myself, my U12’s would play out from the back and build through the thirds, rather than relying on percentage long balls. That philosophy was ingrained in both me and the club that shaped my approach to coaching. But, and it’s a significant "but"—there’s more to the philosophy than just possession for its own sake. These young players were also taught autonomy and problem-solving. If they encountered a high press that they couldn’t play through, they had the freedom to adapt—whether by going over, around, or through the press. The goal was to encourage decision-making and adaptability in real-game situations, helping them grow as players. So, is it truly abandoning a philosophy when players are allowed to make decisions in-game for better outcomes? Or is it teaching them to be more flexible, intelligent footballers? This leads to a broader question about the nature of football development: Should coaches rigidly stick to their philosophy, or should they adapt to the needs of the game? Thomas Edison “I have not failed. I’ve just found 10,000 ways that won’t work. “ Albert Einstein “Insanity is doing the same thing over and over again and expecting different results.” Both statements resonate in the world of football, Is it better to persist with a style of play, trusting it will eventually succeed? Or should we adapt when the results aren’t forthcoming?

💬 Marcin Gabor (𝐜𝐨𝐧𝐜𝐞𝐩𝐭 𝐚𝐮𝐭𝐡𝐨𝐫 𝐨𝐟 𝐅𝐃𝐈): - In football, you find a lot of blanket terms as well as contradictory statements that no one questions. They also come from Coaches. 𝐖𝐡𝐚𝐭 𝐝𝐨 𝐂𝐨𝐚𝐜𝐡𝐞𝐬 𝐬𝐚𝐲 𝐝𝐮𝐫𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐭𝐡𝐞𝐢𝐫 𝐢𝐧𝐭𝐫𝐨𝐝𝐮𝐜𝐭𝐢𝐨𝐧𝐬? 📍 𝐖𝐞 𝐰𝐚𝐧𝐭 𝐭𝐨 𝐩𝐥𝐚𝐲 𝐚𝐜𝐭𝐢𝐯𝐞 𝐚𝐧𝐝 𝐜𝐨𝐮𝐫𝐚𝐠𝐞𝐨𝐮𝐬 𝐟𝐨𝐨𝐭𝐛𝐚𝐥𝐥 Isn't every style of play conceptually active after all?! Even an extremely defensive style of play needs a lot of activity. Furthermore, I would never say that a deep defending team lacks courage. Meaningless. 📍 𝐖𝐞 𝐰𝐚𝐧𝐭 𝐭𝐨 𝐩𝐥𝐚𝐲 𝐨𝐟𝐟𝐞𝐧𝐬𝐢𝐯𝐞 A huge scope for interpretation. Why don't Coaches explain their point of view? 📍 𝐖𝐞 𝐰𝐚𝐧𝐭 𝐭𝐨 𝐬𝐞𝐭 𝐜𝐡𝐚𝐥𝐥𝐞𝐧𝐠𝐞𝐬 𝐟𝐨𝐫 𝐭𝐡𝐞 𝐨𝐩𝐩𝐨𝐧𝐞𝐧𝐭 The goal is in the nature of things. It says nothing about the conceptual orientation. 📍 𝐖𝐞 𝐰𝐚𝐧𝐭 𝐭𝐨 𝐚𝐜𝐭 𝐢𝐧 𝐚 𝐜𝐨𝐦𝐩𝐚𝐜𝐭 𝐦𝐚𝐧𝐧𝐞𝐫 A very complex subject. Firstly: "compactness" is considered in "modern football" as extremely flat positioning of all field players (trend), which destroys many other (structural) tactical principles in the course of this exaggerated execution. In other words: you can facilitate the opponent's actions through exaggerated compactness. Secondly: why do Coaches talk about compactness, but apply it exclusively in the first few movements of the respective actions? Yes, the organisation of the play is now thought of in a fragmentary way, which subconsciously makes you give up control over your own team. Thirdly, why has "compactness" been singled out as a status symbol of the high level of football? It is only a small part of the whole construct. Fourthly, why is "compactness" a symbol of the defensive phase? For what reason is compactness in the offensive phase frowned upon? 📍 𝐖𝐞 𝐰𝐚𝐧𝐭 𝐭𝐨 𝐛𝐞 𝐝𝐨𝐦𝐢𝐧𝐚𝐧𝐭 In times of transition hysteria and contempt for long possession, the hype about group and individual behaviour (instead of team tactical behaviour) and generally held tactical guidelines, a dominance proclamation is a clinical example of contradiction. 📍 𝐖𝐞 𝐰𝐚𝐧𝐭 𝐭𝐨 𝐛𝐞 𝐟𝐥𝐞𝐱𝐢𝐛𝐥𝐞 Why Coaches assume that different formations, constantly changing approaches to the team's play, superficial tactical organisation of the team and orientation towards the opponent is superior to methodical and continuous work on ONE complex Game Model remains a mystery to me. 👁🗨 𝐃𝐞𝐞𝐩𝐞𝐧𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐝𝐨𝐞𝐬 𝐧𝐨𝐭 𝐞𝐱𝐢𝐬𝐭 What happens when a more in-depth dialogue is attempted? - Are there concrete elements of strategic orientation? - This has to be adapted to the players. - What formation will be used? - It is too early to commit. - Any details on the tactical behaviour of the team? - The tactics are not decisive, but the attitude, the determination. My comment is in the picture.

In my second football analysis journal, I look at theory, intent and execution as concepts for instilling an idea into a football team. I appreciate any feedback, discussion and/or expansion of this theory!

Books I highly recommend to soccer coaches at any level. Inverting the Pyramid: The History of Soccer Tactics by Jonathan Wilson - This is the first soccer book that I ever read and came away with the thought that I had so much to learn when it came to coaching the game of soccer. It discusses the entire history of the sport involving tactical evolution from the very beginning to where we are now. Alchemy Coach: Turning Training into Gold. A Primer on Rondos and Positional Play by Grant Knight & Paddy King - I love this book because it gave my rondos and positional drills so much purpose. Instead of doing a rondo or positional drill because they are used by elite level coaches I learned how to design and implement them in a way that works into my own personal philosophy, game model, and environment. Pep Guardiola: The Evolution by Martí Perarnau - This is a great book because it talks about the evolution and growth that a coach goes through, along with the different challenges that they face. Going from Barcelona to Bayern Pep had to learn how to adapt to the environment, club, and players, which allowed him to grow as a coach and build on his own personal philosophy. My Turn: A Life of Total Football by Johan Cryuff - The life of Johan Cryuff as a player and coach is extraordinary. This book is fascinating because it discusses how Cryuff was always willing to challenge different ideas and beliefs even when it jeopardized his career. He was always willing to stay true to his philosophy regardless of how he was perceived by players, coaches, and fans. This willingness and desire to go against the norm enabled him to become the legend that he is viewed as today. Do Hard Things: Why We Get Resilience Wrong and The Surprising Science of Real Toughness by Steve Magness - This book really challenges the way that we look at toughness and how we can develop it within our players. Magness also uses science and analysis to support certain views and challenge old stereotypes. This book forced me to reflect on my idea of what toughness looks like and where I have got it wrong. Every Moment Matters: How the World’s Best Coaches Inspire Their Athletes and Build Championship Teams by John O’Sullivan - This book discusses how coaches can create a positive culture where every moment matters and everyone is able to be successful. I learned so much about what my role should be as a coach and how I can have a positive influence on my players that will allow my teams to be more successful.

⚽ SIMPLE FOOTBALL A conversation with parents of players in the USA this week brought to mind the words of Johan Cruyff, which encapsulate the beauty, complexity, and paradox of football. "Playing football is very simple, but playing simple football is the hardest thing there is." – Johan Cruyff While football is seemingly simple in its form and rules, the true magic lies in mastering this simplicity. The perceived simplicity is a veneer that coats a deeper, layered game that demands technical skill, tactical understanding, physical conditioning, and mental toughness. Practically, playing simple means making the right choices in split seconds but consistently executing these decisions at the highest level, under immense pressure. These cover everything from basic moves like passing and shooting to spatial awareness, positioning, and decision-making under pressure. In essence, the fundamentals are where players should focus their energies and this is often neglected by coaches at the grassroots level in many countries I deal with. Skilled simplicity provides the foundation for consistency, versatility, and effectiveness on the pitch. A player who has truly mastered the basics can, more often than not, respond correctly and swiftly to any situation. These groundworks also foster confidence. Confidence in the simple things allows players to take on complex situations, safe in the knowledge that they can fall back on solid, foundational skills when needed. It's a safety net that allows players to play with freedom, creativity, and confidence. “Technique is not being able to juggle a ball 1,000 times. Anyone can do that by practising. Then you can work in the circus. Technique is passing the ball with one touch, with the right speed, at the right foot of your teammate.” - Johan Cruyff The road to becoming a professional footballer is fraught with challenges, hurdles, and fierce competition. However, the key to success in football doesn’t lie in the extraordinary but rather in the mastery of the ordinary. It's not just about dazzling skill moves or long-range goals; it's about mastering, applying, and dominating all the simple elements of the game. This starts with hours of drill practice on the field, sharpening skills until they become second nature. Developing tactical understanding, improving fitness, and building mental resilience follow. The subtle yet demanding art of making the right choices, at the right time, eventually separates the ordinary from the extraordinary. The journey to professional football is complex, but success lies in mastering the deceptively simple facets of the beautiful game. Youth players should heed Cruyff’s words and invest their energy into mastering the fundamental skills as the foundation of their football development. #Choicesinternational #Throughthethirds #grassrootsfootball #WestHamUntitedFoundation

Positive Psychology in football is the scientific study and measurement of the conditions and processes that contribute to helping footballers, teams and Football Clubs to flourish and function at their optimum level consistently. Our aim at ThroughTheThirds.com is to understand, test, discover and promote the factors that allow footballers, teams and football clubs to improve their individual and collective performance on and off the football pitch. The factors above include engagement, wellbeing, happiness, strengths, emotions, thoughts, actions, behavior's and togetherness. We work with individuals, Football Clubs and bring together the wider community. We inspire and empower players to improve their athleticism, strength and conditioning, technical development and tactical understanding. in the short, mid and long term. I like to play a progressive, dynamic, possession based attacking football with the key to ANY success being our Identification, scouting, recruitment and retaining top talent. which is based on our bespoke 3 values recruitment system We deliver the Elite Mindset program face to face or online. Our individual 1-2-1 coaching and team-based workshops are cutting edge amd brings transformational change to you and/or your team. For more information please feel free to DM or email me on info@throughtheththirds.com

Part 3 (No.15-22) of 22 insights for football trialists. 15/ Ask the players Ask players in the academy what it’s like and what things are important to know. For example are there any key terms to know and understand when you're on the pitch. 16/ Playing positions You will most likely play in other positions in training and games even though you have a specific position you have played in at your current team. That’s ok - if it is a very unfamiliar position ask the coach what are the top 3 things you should focus on. 17/ Remember BCE Build Confidence Equity It’s ok to try new things when on trial - do things that will enhance your confidence. Even the professionals make mistakes over and over again! 18/ Be observant Analyse the highest forms of positive habits in all scenarios from the other players and look to replicate them. 19/ Be patient The journey can be long but be patient and enjoy each time you go in. 20/ Technology You will use some for of the following technology on your trial (age & club dependent): Hudl - For Football Clips recording games and training. GPS Vest - For tracking physical output in training and games. Playermaker - For tracking physical & technical outputs. 21/ Your club coach Speak with your club coach to help you develop the skills or tactical insights which have been identified for you to develop whilst on trial. 22/ Change your mindset You are not just going on trial to get into an academy you are adding to your football experience on the journey to hopefully becoming a professional football player. Remember.... Preparing to be part of the elite level means elite level preparation! Always Remeber. Today is the Day. _ If you are looking to excel as a coach in 2024, I've got something for you: Free Sign Up to The Coaches Newsletter for your weekly coach growth content https://lnkd.in/eJQy4xfY P.S. Please share ♻️ if this was helpful.

Hey coaches/leaders! How much are you learning/expanding your knowledge from different areas of life/sport? Are you zooming in with the lens and trying to suck it all up from the very best of coaches and learn their every detail and coaching points to gain the edge for you? Or are you having a very broad look at everything and keep the lens wide open - taking the ideas from different sports, arts, culture or whatever imaginable? Normally the path in football coaches goes that football coaches learn from football coaches etc. i feel that there are more ways to expand your knowledge and search deeper.  I feel  there'are three places to look from… - You can look within football. - You can look inside of sport but outside of football. - You can look outside of sport altogether. Which one are you? I read an article a while ago and they mentioned there that the famous New Zealend Rugby team ‘All Blacks’ as they are called their Coaching team went for a week to learn from the New York Ballet to learn about people performing under pressure, how to perform with precision and accuracy under fatigue and precious situations. That is an expansive perspective of what's possible in other areas outside of sport altogether. Think about other (invasion) sports and from which you could copy some methods to your own game. Basketball  - to me a great way to teach players one-on-one defending, the fundamentals are the same (hand-arm cooperation and controlling the opponent let’s say in set piece situations), transitional situations and how to cope with fast paced attacks…many variables that fit within football context Rugby - you get the ball, you run towards the man, you draw him in and you pass. crucial alignment with football how the players want to engage and attract the opponent before passing the player next to you with better space and time capital. Also overloading the opponent to one side, before attacking and penetrating from the opposite side. Chess - even the World Champion Magnus Carlsen finds Chess and Football very similar - the most important thing in both is to control the middle of the board/pitch. Often in chess you attack one side first, the opponent overloads and then you switch, and then you have an advantage on the other side, in terms of space it’s remarkably similar.  If you’re the one initiating the action, as opposed to simply reacting, then you’ll be able to control the flow of the game. Message to coach's is - if you only look within your sport anyone can get anything from anywhere with anytime for free, there are no secrets, everyone knows what you know almost, but conversely there's a limitless supply of wonderful ideas outside of sports on the streets...so the coaches of the future, dig a bit deeper and you gonna see that where you really gonna get your advantage. #coachdevelopment #continuouslearning #seekers

Detailed Sports providing individual video analysis for football players based on statistics ❗ Our biggest focus is on actions (individual details) without the ball which are not opposing head coaches of the team playing styles ✅  “The mistake that new generation coaches make is that they give too much information about the game with the ball to the players. This takes away creativity. It is one thing to tell the player the positioning without the ball, there you have to give a lot of information, because without the ball it is concentration, sacrifice and collective play. With the ball it depends on the creativity of the player. If Vinícius or Rodrygo feel more comfortable opening up a little more when the team has the ball, I'm not going to tell them to stay inside; because it is an individual interpretation of the game. I don't go in there, because I don't want to take away everyone's creativity." - Carlo Ancelotti Carlo Ancelotti's perspective on coaching offers a fascinating insight into the balance between tactical discipline and creative freedom in football. His approach differentiates between two key aspects of the game: player behavior with and without the ball.