The 32 Rules of Massimiliano Allegri (#1 to #4) (Patreon)

1. “If we were taught less, we would have learned more.”

The rule advocates for teaching children and players by encouraging them to think for themselves, allowing for creativity and individual initiative to thrive. The approach is to provide guidance and direction but to avoid rigid didactic schemes that can inhibit learning. The emphasis is on allowing learners to experience direct, practical and hands-on learning. The goal is to help learners gain a deeper understanding of the concepts being taught by focusing on quality over quantity. This rule encourages a simpler approach to teaching, where less is more.

2. “Football is simple: you have to do the opposite of what your opponents are doing.”

In this rule, the author emphasizes the philosophy of simplicity in football. The game is based on a simple principle of not giving the ball to the opponent, and players must learn how to pass the ball and get away from their opponents. Training exercises should help players memorize the phases of the game, and the purpose of the game is to pass the ball to teammates, favoring the simplest solution.

3. “Simplicity is the most difficult thing.”

This rule emphasizes the importance of simplicity in football and life. It states that simplicity is difficult to teach in football, as it requires understanding and applying the basic concepts without which everything becomes more complicated. It compares simplicity to the foundations of a building, which, if not laid solid, will not be able to support the structure built upon it. In football, true champions do things simply, and this rule focuses on the coach's role in ensuring that the team grasps the basics. The author provides an anecdote from a dinner party where a doctor explained that a football coach's job is more difficult than a researcher's job because the coach has to deal with many variables, and he cannot rely on any scientific method since his field of investigation is not replicable. The author acknowledges the unpredictable variables in football and in life and highlights the importance of accepting them.

4. “I want thoughtful players, not farm chickens.”

Is a directive to encourage independent thinking and discourage conformism among football players. The speaker emphasizes the importance of developing personal thinking and individual tactics in football, rather than simply relying on pre-set team formations or strategies. The speaker argues that players who are trained to think independently will be better equipped to adapt to changing situations during a game and make better decisions, which will ultimately lead to more successful outcomes. The speaker also stresses the importance of teaching players the fundamentals of the game, such as marking, watching opponents, and understanding when to increase or decrease the pace of play, as well as the importance of considering a variety of possible choices and strategies during a game, rather than always relying on predetermined plays or formations.