Chaos vs. Control: A Collision of Principles

Some like to approach games in a disciplined structure, intentionally and meticulously dictating games to their own tempo. Others opt for a more emotionally-charged philosophy, reliant on the belief, energy and willpower of their trusted eleven on the field.

Game of Numbers #37 – Forge FC’s use of centre-backs in midfield like Manchester City

For the unfamiliar, Forge FC are the Manchester City of the Canadian Premier League. They play a possession-based 4-3-3, stacked with ball-savvy savants, and a culture that embodies winning. The Canadian Premier League's been around since 2019 now. Forge have won the Playoffs in four of the five seasons, and lost the final in the one other at the hands of players they recruited to their team immediately after.

Coaching Newsletter #5 – The best way to increase athlete engagement

If you are going to take anything away from reading this article, I want it to be this: Learn more about your participants. Learn more about the people around you. Learn more about what they like, what makes them tick, and where they want to go.

Why it’s okay for your vision to evolve from initial intentions

Many of my best ideas have come on the run. The best ideas I've had for stories, scripts, and even grand-scale projects have all come in the midst of a 5:00/km pace, strolling through the streets of Ontario. Starting a football website was a thought that frequently entered my mind throughout my teenage years. Sometime in May 2016, trotting around Western University, the thought regenerated in my mind. Only this time, it was more profound. I should start that thing for real.

How I optimize video analysis for professional players

I'll tell you right off the top, nothing I say here will be groundbreaking. This article is meant to show you how simple video analysis can be, even at the high-end level of sport. Yes, you have to know the game. Yes, you should know how to positively promote other people. It even helps to know how to game-ify conversations in order to make them more intriguing. But ultimately, you can easily follow my steps here for conducting optimal video analysis for professional players. Steal it. Take it with you. It's yours. Here is my process for creating actionable insights for pros (or semi-pro players) to take back into their own environments.

Enzo Maresca – Leicester City – Tactical Analysis

It has been a season to remember for Leicester City inside the Championship. They've been one of the league's all-time top sides, and look fully prepared to hit the mark if they can keep hold of their star power leading into next season. Enzo Maresca and his team have done a brilliant job in assembling this squad, reinventing roles, and achieving buy-in from the players, and the same criteria will need to be met ahead of 2024-25.

Why centre-backs are becoming fullbacks: The tactical trend that defined 2023

It might be wrong to credit this tactical approach to Pep Guardiola. After all, the origin story to the 'fullback' is because the defender was fully back. However, in operating with a centre-back that steps up into midfield, Guardiola also created a construction within his team that regularly positioned centre-backs out wide. From then on, this approach has only become more popular. It's been the top tactical trend of 2023, and often one that's allowed the best teams in the world to thrive.