Tomas Ljungström

Father of three, teacher, footballcoach and footballfan (IFK, Man U), hobbycyclist

[Mark O'Sullivan PhD @markstkhlm]

Why performance arises in relationships, not in statistics: Adam Průša (Head of analysis/individual player dev/1st team analyst Czech national team), shares insights on implementing ideas+concepts that Matias Manna, Keith Davids and I recently shared.
https://t.co/L2go4mvg28

[JOGO FUNCIONAL @JOGOFUNCIONAL1]

In case you missed it - my article on diagonality.

Make tactical analysis long reads great again

[Bernat Mosquera @BernatME6]

Defensive Master | 2v2 — Block the Run Trajectory

One of the most effective actions in the final third is blocking the attacker’s run.

Once you detect the attacker’s eye contact or preparation to run, you can anticipate and block his trajectory.

[Soccer Drill Finder @SoccerDrillFind]

SOCCER DRILL | 360° AWARENESS SSG

🅰️ Attackers: Combine quickly to connect with an outside neutral and finish immediately.

🛡️ Defenders: Intercept or recover the ball and connect outside to switch roles.

[Bernat Mosquera @BernatME6]

🚨FREE 12-WEEK CURRICULUM (PDF)🚨

Coaches: stop guessing the next session.

Week-by-week plan for U9–U16, aligned with clear Game Principles. Ready to use today.

Connect Individual-Collective-Final Third.

Link in first comment 👇

[Bernat Mosquera @BernatME6]

Final Third | Opposite Winger

A switch of play often triggers the fullback to shift from the ball side to the outside player.

That’s the moment for the opposite winger to attack the space in behind.

[Bernat Mosquera @BernatME6]

2-Week Curriculum Plan | Why Multiple Directions

At youth ages, giving scenarios with multiple directions enriches their capacity to find different paths to the same objective.

If we always play the same way & expect the same outcome, why would the player do anything different?

[Bernat Mosquera @BernatME6]

Final Third | Run & Stay Engaged

Players often disconnect after making a run and not receiving the ball.

But a diagonal movement can open space on the opposite side while occupying the defender’s blind spot, a golden spot.

Stay connected even when you don’t receive the ball.

[Bernat Mosquera @BernatME6]

Final Third | Support to Draw

There’s a big difference between support to the ball & diagonal support.

In the first, the defender has the advantage: he can press from behind and block the runner.

Diagonal support forces him off the ball line, opens space behind.

[Bernat Mosquera @BernatME6]

12-Week Curriculum Plan | Final Third Constraints

In Final Third sessions, you have two options:

Run unopposed exercises where players execute actions, or create contexts that force players to recognise cues and choose the right action to execute.

[Jamie Hamilton @stirling_j]

This is a big issue; it's not just about being close together.
It's about the manner in which the players are interpreting and collaborating.
I think it's important to make training sessions that facilitate the development of intuitive, expressive problem-solving.

[Bernat Mosquera @BernatME6]

Is a 2v1 + 3v2 really a challenging situation to play or turn forward?

[Bernat Mosquera @BernatME6]

Defensive Foundations | Covering Player & Marking

The covering player (closest to the pressing teammate) must read his intention and adjust his marking accordingly:

If the pressing player is floating → maintain distance
If the pressing player commits → step up to anticipate

[Bernat Mosquera @BernatME6]

Many coaches talk about perception and decision-making, but few consider what players should actually scan to improve their decisions.

Here are 5 tips to guide players on what to observe. 👀👇

[Bernat Mosquera @BernatME6]

By offering the back pass from the winger to the CM, you trigger a key action for the #10.

From the corner: back pass to the half-space, then a run into the box to surprise the backline.

Train variable scenarios that force players to adapt.

[JOGO FUNCIONAL @JOGOFUNCIONAL1]

Really big fan of this

Not only does it creates the conditions for three in a row, toco y me voy or close proximity but because it’s essential for the players to perceive the game diagonally opposed to top down

Anyone else have any practices that encourage diagonal perception?

[JOGO FUNCIONAL @JOGOFUNCIONAL1]

SSG with diagonal goals- just less than 1/2 pitch

Diagonal facing goals encourages players to perceive the game diagonally and approach the ball with open body shape

Strategical emphasis on players combining in the diagonal corridor when accelerating attacks.

[JOGO FUNCIONAL @JOGOFUNCIONAL1]

Variation with 2 locked in end zone players | Bounce pass to score

Opposite end player positions himself between the ball and cone behind him

Maximize affordances of being diagonal to the ball & find a complimenting action for each forward pass- 3rd man, give + go, corta luz

[JOGO FUNCIONAL @JOGOFUNCIONAL1]

5v5+1 with 2 inside goals

Aims:

Attuning players to body shape and emergent diagonal lines & out to in combos

Using circulation on the outside of the pitch to find rhythm & open diagonal passing lanes

Finding ways of exploring these structures- corta luz, toco y me voy…

[JOGO FUNCIONAL @JOGOFUNCIONAL1]

8v8+2 Grid pitch

2 full size goals facing diagonally and 2 small goals in the wide channel

The team’s attacking strategy is centered around moving the ball between squares diagonally

Forming ladders, overload the ball & always being ready to recieve with 360 degree perception