Individual tactics offer players a chance to showcase their strengths in a variety of ways – how can I gain an advantage over my opponent? It could be with creative footwork, intelligent movement or effective combinations with teammates. In this blog, Game Insights Analyst, Luke Saunders, shines a light on how individual tactics can blossom in smaller game formats. 

What are individual tactics? How can we support our players to develop their individual tactics so they know which strength to call on at the right time to solve the problems they face? Read our ‘How to help players develop individual tactics’ article to build your understanding before we delve into some real life examples below. For an out of possession case study, dive into the ‘Individual tactics – out of possession Grace Clinton case study’ blog. 

Smaller game formats 

3v3, 5v5 & 7v7 formats give players an opportunity to maximise individual actions, including the core skills such as dribbling, receiving and passing.   

Research in U9 boys football found that in a 20 minute, 3v3 format, players on average moved with the ball 4 times, received the ball 24 times and passed the ball 20 times. When this increased to a 5v5 format, players on average moved with the ball 3 times, received the ball 16 times and passed the ball 7 times. It is important to find the right size of game or session to maximise your players’ ability to show their individual tactics.  

How do we give more opportunities to our flair players to showcase their dribbling? How do we give our players a platform to experiment with finishing techniques?  

These smaller game formats can be seen not only in games at the foundation phase but also in practice sessions and even during full-sided games. 

Game within the game – smaller game formats inside the 11v11 match 

In any game format, we see mini battles across the pitch – the winger coming up against the full back in a 1v1; a counter-attack leading to a 3v3 breakaway attack; players in the middle of the pitch combining and drawing in defenders to make 5v5 clashes. Read more about how these can occur on, around & away from the ball in our ‘The game within the game: decoding the mini battles on the field’ blog.  

Breaking the game down into smaller chunks gives players the opportunity to show their super strengths. Individual tactics are a way of beating or outsmarting your opponent and individual skill is how players execute these actions – the tactics & the skill work together hand in hand.  

To see how a player uses their superpowers within the 11v11 format, we will shine a spotlight on Marcus Rashford’s performance in the FA Cup Quarter-final for Aston Villa against Preston North End. 

Marcus Rashford – individual tactics within the game 

Marcus Rashford starred in the FA Cup Quarter-final match with the opening 2 goals, including a penalty to put the Villans 2 up. He was influential in the match, picking the appropriate individual tactic at the right time & ranking highly across many metrics. 

For his 1st goal, we see Rashford use his creativity & movement to peel away from his defender in a 3v3 situation, creating space for him to finish the cross. His super strengths support him to problem solve the compact shape of the defence & give him the extra space needed to comfortably finish. 

In the 5v5 situation in the below video, we see Rashford select a different set of skills – he uses his pace to get in behind and receive the pass in a dangerous position. He uses his creative footwork to wait for his teammates to be in good positions to provide support. He beats his opponent in a 1v1 situation & delivers a pass across the 18-yard box to create a chance. 

Each situation has provided a different test & Rashford has visited his toolbox to select the appropriate skill, technique or action at the right time. This comes from plenty of practice in training sessions in these scenarios. 

Coaching considerations 

• Don’t assume what players can or can’t do – give players the environment to show off what they can do & the areas they may need further support. 

• Plan your match-ups - match players up in mini-matches so that they get the appropriate challenges for their level & development. 
• Link training to matchday – make sure your practice design is as game-realistic as possible.  

Further resources 

Article - Develop the individual: techniques and tactics (futsal) 

Coachcast - An introduction to individual tactics with Matt Jones | S5 Ep7  

Football Coaching Roundtable - How To Help Players Develop Individual Tactics