Total Football…among other things, an idea that every player can play any position on the field.  Every player receives education about not only his positional responsibilities in given situations, but a total education in order that he understands the duties and requirements of each player.  When in possession, players are free to move around in order to provide numerical advantages where necessary.  Players make these decisions not based on their particular positions, but rather on the principles of the game.

In a sense, it is a wonder that this evolution took such a long time.  Regardless, it constitutes a more enhanced team scenario, in that each player understands and can recognize the given needs of his team and how he should move with or without the ball.  The player recognizes the impact of his decision and acts according to the team’s needs at that moment.  The fact that he must leave his initial positional placement is not relevant, as he knows the team’s goals are the primary concern, and that he has the trust that his teammates will fill his original space on the field of play after he moves into someone else’s.

Is this not the embodiment of team sports?  This is essentially the ethic of putting the team’s goals ahead of the individual.  The act of doing more than what is asked of you for the group’s benefit.  Contrast this with staid, somewhat standard models of youth coaching (you’re a defender – don’t cross midfield!), which at best is a limiting proposition.  At worst, the rigid positioning system inherent in much of youth soccer provides a model that inhibits a player’s technical development and offers a  a refuge from responsibility (“Stay in your area of the field, and don’t worry about what happens elsewhere”).  Coaches need to challenge young players to step out of their comfort zone, purposefully putting players in situations that will help them learn something new.

Small sided games are instrumental in this regard.  The quicker the decision-making, the better.  Do practices replicate the chaos of a game and force players to think rapidly on their own or does training consist of static lines and limited opportunities for individual decision-making?

In order to develop individual responsibility, young players need to be challenged to step into a role – even if it is unnatural for them – if the situation demands it for the sake of the team.  In the video below, Lionel Messi – obviously known for his attacking prowess – leaves his advanced position and assumes responsibility for tracking back and challenging the opposition defensively.

Young players should be encouraged to constantly be thinking, “How can I help my team right now?”.  As the ball moves, so does the role and responsibility of each player.  Cultivate that responsibility on the field and athletes will begin to take initiative in other areas of their life as well.