Best of Coaching Links This Week: Getting Players to Think, the Regista, Midfield Support in a 4-3-3 and More

Johan Cruyff was undoubtedly one of the greatest teachers in the history of the game of football with his views helping to inspire – directly or indirectly – generations of coaches.  Todd Beane was luckier than most coaches in that he had direct access to Cruyff who was also his father-in-law.  Having helped in the setting up of Cruyff Institute more than a decade back, he is now embarking on a new venture – the TOVO Academy – and here speaks about it as well as about his views on the game of football.  His replies on the importance of intelligence, in particular, are must reads.

This, explaining the role of the regista, is perhaps a bit basic but highly enjoyable nevertheless

For those who want something a bit more advanced, here is an explanation on how midfield support works in a 4-3-3 system.

For some time a couple of years back there was a lot of excitement on the possibility of increasing one’s working memory and the impact this could have on intelligence.  It seems, however, that there wasn’t actually enough research to support that belief.  This is a good piece on that debate and why knowledge is actually what determines intelligence.

AND FINALLY…
“Great clubs have had one thing in common throughout history, regardless of era and tactics. They owned the pitch and they owned the ball. That means when you have the ball, you dictate play and when you are defending, you control the space” - Arrigo Sacchi

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