"#14 ways to achieve our philosophy's goals"
Johan Cruyff was a legendary Dutch football player and coach, who developed a distinctive and influential football philosophy. Here are 14 methodological points of the Johan Cruyff philosophy
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1. Possession-based football
Cruyff believed in controlling the game through possession of the ball. He advocated for a patient, methodical approach to build up play from the back and maintain possession for long periods of time.
2. Total football
Cruyff was a product of the famous Dutch "Total Football" era, which emphasized positional interchangeability and fluidity. He believed that every player on the pitch should be comfortable in any position and able to perform any task.
3. Offensive mentality
Cruyff believed that football should be played with a positive and attacking mindset. He emphasized the importance of creating scoring opportunities and taking risks to break down opposition defenses.
4. Pressing
Cruyff was a pioneer of the pressing game, where players aggressively press the opposition in order to win back possession. He believed that pressing was essential to maintain control of the game.
5. Compactness
Cruyff believed in keeping the team compact, with players close to each other to maintain good passing options and reduce the amount of space for the opposition to exploit.
6. Individual skill
Cruyff believed that individual skill was crucial to success in football. He emphasized the importance of technique, dribbling, and creativity in order to beat opponents and create scoring opportunities.
7. Positional play
Cruyff believed that players should have a clear understanding of their role and responsibilities within the team. He believed that good positional play was essential for the team to function effectively.
8. Movement
Cruyff emphasized the importance of movement off the ball, with players making runs and creating space for their teammates. He believed that good movement was key to breaking down well-organized defenses.
9. Quick transitions
Cruyff believed that quick transitions from defense to attack were crucial for catching the opposition off guard and creating scoring opportunities.
10. The importance of the goalkeeper
Cruyff believed that the goalkeeper was an important part of the team, and should be able to play with their feet and participate in the build-up play.
11. Youth development
Cruyff was a strong advocate for youth development, and believed that young players should be given opportunities to play at the highest level. He developed the famous La Masia academy at Barcelona, which has produced many successful players.
12. Adaptability
Cruyff believed that football was constantly evolving, and that teams and players needed to be adaptable in order to stay ahead of the curve.
13. Leadership
Cruyff believed that good leadership was essential for success in football. He believed that a coach should be a strong leader who could inspire and motivate their team.
14. The importance of enjoyment
Cruyff believed that football should be played with joy and enthusiasm. He believed that players and teams who enjoyed the game were more likely to be successful.