Coaching the Tiki Taka Style of Play

Book excerpt: Jed Davies outlines in detail the Tiki-Taka football philosophy popularised by Barcelona and Spain and shows you, the coach, how to implement this style of play. Davies has studied the methods used at FC Barcelona, Liverpool FC, Swansea City FC, Villarreal CF and AFC Ajax who have all developed possession based philosophies as a way of controlling and winning games. Part 1 explores the development theory that requires an understanding before you are able to produce the Tiki-Taka style of football, this includes: Establishing a Football Philosophy, Identifying Local Talent and Purposeful Training. Part 2 looks at the Tiki-Taka philosophy and how it can be developed through purpose designed training sessions. 50 practices are provided from professional clubs including FC Barcelona, AFC Ajax, Athletic Bilbao and Liverpool FC. Part 3 looks at the influential figures in the evolution of Tiki-Taka with chapters on Rinus Michels ('The Father of Football'), Johan Cruyff and Pep Guardiola among others. Part 4 looks at the Tactical Theory and provides a blueprint of how to play with the Tiki-Taka brand of football. It analyses positional systems, game realistic situations and solves tactical problems such as when the opposition are sitting in a deep low block ('Parking the Bus'), all using the advice provided from professional coaches who have been involved in the implementation of the Tiki-Taka philosophy. Included: - Guardiola, Cruyff and Van Gaal's Positional Systems - Ball Circulation - Transition Phases - Collective Pressing (inc.Barca's 6 Second Rule) - Creating Goal Scoring Opportunities - Tactical Solutions/Variations - Individual Player Roles & Responsibilities