General Ideas about Football Game and Trends in its Development (Karl-Heinz Heddergott) (Patreon)

The fundamental idea of football is very simple: it is about gaining possession of the ball, securing it, and trying to take the ball to the opposite goal as many times as possible. This premise of attacking play assumes the existence of defensive behavior from the opponent in order to regain possession of the ball.

This polarization between attacking and defensive play requires each player to fully concentrate and adapt to each phase of the game. Only with the help of all players can possession of the ball be assured; everyone contributes to overcoming and defeating the opponent's defensive play. Collaboration between all players is also the fundamental basis of successfully executed defensive play. Success and failure situations constantly occur during the game and determine its final outcome. Every successful action brings joy; every error made irritates and angers, necessitating correction.

The experiences that this game provides do not depend on a certain age or the degree of the quality of the game. A small primary school boy finds as many emotions in the game as a member of a national team can experience. Each one therefore solves always new and surprisingly varied game situations according to their own idea and with more or less abundant means at their disposal.

The game itself constitutes entertainment with free movements and free decision-making about behavior and movements that are so numerous and variable in football that they could hardly be described and encapsulated in a book. It is precisely in its variety that the attractive and emotional nature of football lies. Situations and with them the demands change at breakneck speed, which postulates the need for constant attention from players to immediately adjust to each new situation.

The player, as a special type of sporting activity, wants to assert himself within the tension caused by the conflicting situations of the game. This satisfies him and corresponds to his desire to use his extensive and varied movement capabilities. This basic knowledge of the essence of football and the behavior and posture of players serves to guide everything related to exercises and training aimed at their improvement.

The desire to do football increasingly better and perform better has also increased. Major football events, such as the World Cup, contain a great driving force and exert a powerful influence on the subsequent development of football. What the great teams of the world introduce as new is immediately followed by everyone else. Problems of prestige and high hopes for success determine the concepts of the game to be carried out against powerful defensive systems. And thus is born the clear mission of the attacking game: to continue scoring goals despite everything, to maintain and even raise the beauty and attractiveness of the game.

What characteristics of development currently determine the concept of football?

Due to the increase in defensive tactics, the playing area has been narrowing more and more. The struggle for ball possession is becoming increasingly tough. The lock and reinforcement of the defense through the sweeper, midfielders and often delayed wingers expose the attacking game to a tough test.

The most striking characteristics of the attacking game, as measures against reinforced defense, are as follows: 

• quick counterattacks after a successful defensive move; 
• expansion of the playing area and possibilities for all players, which leads to a considerable increase in the intensity of movements; 
• skill in ball dispute and dribbling, multiple ball changes towards the wingers and with the strikers prepared in front of the goal; 
• powerful and surprising shots and, therefore, training guidelines. 

The development of the game favors those who have the gift of quick and free decision-making, responsible and consistent players in their game, in a word, players fully aware of their value. Every player who has possession of the ball automatically becomes an attacking player; when the ball is lost, each player has their specific defensive mission.