Category: Masterclasses

Premier League Tactics 2020-21 – Ebook

by Rhys Desmond, posted in Coach Education, Coaching, Formations, Masterclasses, Premier League, Subscriber Exclusives

After analyzing each and every single Premier League team this year, we now share all of our insight on the 2020-21 season in the form of this book. But the book is far from just a copy and paste of what can already be found on the website. In fact, there are very few things in the entire 72 pages that you will find on our site. The book features a breakdown of each and every single club in the league, including their system and style of play, their personnel, their strengths, weaknesses, key players and more. It does not attempt to be an exhaustive list of every single thing about each and every Premier League team this season, rather an overview of the most crucial tactical features to their success or lack thereof in 2020-21.

Euro 2020 – Portugal – Tactical Preview

by TMS Staff, posted in Masterclasses

In 2016, Portugal stunned the world, winning the European Championships against all the odds. This time they enter the 2021 tournament with an even stronger squad - led by the likes of Ruben Dias, Bruno Fernandes, Joao Cancelo, Raphael Guerreiro and of course...Cristiano Ronaldo. So with that The Tactics Show now takes a look at Portugal's chances of winning this summer's Euro 2020 tournament.

Train of Thought – Situating training exercises in their appropriate place on the pitch

by Travis Norsen, posted in Coach Education, Coaching, Masterclasses

The mental side of the beautiful game is at least as important as the physical side, but is often neglected by coaches in training sessions. In this series, Travis Norsen, author of Play With Your Brain, will discuss small tweaks to standard training exercises and the large positive effects they can have on players’ decision-making and soccer intelligence. This week, Travis explores why you should situate your training exercises in their appropriate place on the pitch.

Train of Thought – Why you should be more defensive about rondos

by Travis Norsen, posted in Coach Education, Coaching, Masterclasses

The mental side of the beautiful game is at least as important as the physical side, but is often neglected by coaches in training sessions. In this series, Travis Norsen, author of Play With Your Brain, will discuss small tweaks to standard training exercises and the large positive effects they can have on players’ decision-making and soccer intelligence. This week, Travis explores why you should be more defensive about your rondos.

Thomas Frank – Brentford – Tactical Analysis (2020-21)

by Rhys Desmond, posted in Coach Education, Managers, Masterclasses, World Football

Since taking over in 2018 from Aston Villa's Dean Smith, Thomas Frank has turned Brentford from an average to below average Championship side, into a nearly unstoppable one, with now two back to back playoff finals in two seasons. Frank's tactics emulate the same principles as some of the world's best managers and teams in the modern era, with unique takes that have turned The Bees into one of the most efficient sides in the division. Even if they can't make it happen in the playoff final for the second year running, Brentford appear as though they will be in the Premier League sometime very soon, due to their excellent recruitment, and Frank's exceptional management and tactics. Here is our tactical analysis of Thomas Frank's Brentford in 2020-21.

Train of Thought – Why you should incorporate double goals into your training

by Travis Norsen, posted in Coach Education, Coaching, Masterclasses, Sport Psychology

The mental side of the beautiful game is at least as important as the physical side, but is often neglected by coaches in training sessions. In this series, Travis Norsen, author of Play With Your Brain, will discuss small tweaks to standard training exercises and the large positive effects they can have on players’ decision-making and soccer intelligence. This week, Travis explores why you should incorporate double goals into your training.

Gerardo Seoane – BSC Young Boys – Tactical Analysis

by Rhys Desmond, posted in Coach Education, Managers, Masterclasses, World Football

Very rarely has a manager dominated their domestic league over a three season period like BSC Young Boys' Gerardo Seoane. The Swiss manager has led his Bern-based team to a shocking 81 points in 35 matches this season, nearly 30 more than second place FC Basel on 53. With his unique style of football and winning mentality, a host of Bundesliga clubs were interested in securing the signature of Seoane, with the Swiss ultimately signing on for Bayer Leverkusen. So ahead of Gerardo Seoane's move to the Bundesliga, we take a look at the tactics he deployed in his three season spell with BSC Young Boys.

Gian Piero Gasperini – Atalanta – Tactical Analysis (2020-21)

by Rhys Desmond, posted in Coach Education, Managers, Masterclasses, Subscriber Exclusives

After successive back to back third place finishes in Serie A, Gian Piero Gasperini has firmly established Atalanta as one of Europe's most lethal and tactically fluid teams. Despite losing their star player Alejandro 'Papu' Gomez halfway through the season due to disagreements between player and coach, Atalanta look set to finish inside Serie A's top three once again, with the highest tally of goals for the third season running. Here is a tactical analysis of Gian Piero Gasperini's Atalanta in 2020-21.