Aus Tactics
@aus-tactics.bsky.social
➡️ Tactical insights and analysis from the beautiful game, down under
💻 Opposition & Academy Analyst
✉️ tactics.aus@gmail.com
𝕏 https://x.com/aus_tactics
💻 Opposition & Academy Analyst
✉️ tactics.aus@gmail.com
𝕏 https://x.com/aus_tactics
Some gaps appearing in City's 4-3-3 press against Hiroshima's in-possession 3-4-3.
— City's front 3 focused on the 3 CB's
— Midfielders maintaining central compactness
— Defensive line pinned by the 3 forwards (+1)
— City's front 3 focused on the 3 CB's
— Midfielders maintaining central compactness
— Defensive line pinned by the 3 forwards (+1)
September 16, 2025 at 8:09 AM
Some gaps appearing in City's 4-3-3 press against Hiroshima's in-possession 3-4-3.
— City's front 3 focused on the 3 CB's
— Midfielders maintaining central compactness
— Defensive line pinned by the 3 forwards (+1)
— City's front 3 focused on the 3 CB's
— Midfielders maintaining central compactness
— Defensive line pinned by the 3 forwards (+1)
Tough first assignment for Ange, but it's already evident that his Forest team will be more aggressive out of possession compared to what he inherited from Nuno.
September 14, 2025 at 6:08 AM
Tough first assignment for Ange, but it's already evident that his Forest team will be more aggressive out of possession compared to what he inherited from Nuno.
We can only dream of this fresh forward line in a Socceroos team that applies more pressure to the ball high and controls more of the game in the opposition's half.
Stoked for Mo Toure, took his chances nicely.
Stoked for Mo Toure, took his chances nicely.
September 9, 2025 at 10:19 AM
We can only dream of this fresh forward line in a Socceroos team that applies more pressure to the ball high and controls more of the game in the opposition's half.
Stoked for Mo Toure, took his chances nicely.
Stoked for Mo Toure, took his chances nicely.
When Just was able to pin Silvera, it afforded De Vries plenty of time on the ball in the space around the midfield line before they were able to shift across horizontally.
When Silvera was able to coordinate jumping to De Vries, it left Circati occupying RB/RWB areas.
Back 5 deficiencies.
When Silvera was able to coordinate jumping to De Vries, it left Circati occupying RB/RWB areas.
Back 5 deficiencies.
September 5, 2025 at 11:23 AM
When Just was able to pin Silvera, it afforded De Vries plenty of time on the ball in the space around the midfield line before they were able to shift across horizontally.
When Silvera was able to coordinate jumping to De Vries, it left Circati occupying RB/RWB areas.
Back 5 deficiencies.
When Silvera was able to coordinate jumping to De Vries, it left Circati occupying RB/RWB areas.
Back 5 deficiencies.
Most of the Socceroos positive play has been down the left-hand side.
Partly due to Hrustic occupying central #10 areas while building play in their own half (minimising an option on the right), mainly due to Bos being a unicorn.
Partly due to Hrustic occupying central #10 areas while building play in their own half (minimising an option on the right), mainly due to Bos being a unicorn.
September 5, 2025 at 10:42 AM
Most of the Socceroos positive play has been down the left-hand side.
Partly due to Hrustic occupying central #10 areas while building play in their own half (minimising an option on the right), mainly due to Bos being a unicorn.
Partly due to Hrustic occupying central #10 areas while building play in their own half (minimising an option on the right), mainly due to Bos being a unicorn.
If your line of press is bypassed, or you are beaten individually, your job isn’t over.
Back pressing still creates pressure on the opponent’s decisions and reduces the time they have on the ball, while also forcing them toward a particular side through the direction of your pressure.
Back pressing still creates pressure on the opponent’s decisions and reduces the time they have on the ball, while also forcing them toward a particular side through the direction of your pressure.
September 3, 2025 at 11:16 AM
If your line of press is bypassed, or you are beaten individually, your job isn’t over.
Back pressing still creates pressure on the opponent’s decisions and reduces the time they have on the ball, while also forcing them toward a particular side through the direction of your pressure.
Back pressing still creates pressure on the opponent’s decisions and reduces the time they have on the ball, while also forcing them toward a particular side through the direction of your pressure.
With the ball in these areas, Heidelberg should be looking to exploit the space vacated by Brimmer jumping to Aidara (#6 > #6), as it leaves Gallegos isolated.
August 30, 2025 at 10:17 AM
With the ball in these areas, Heidelberg should be looking to exploit the space vacated by Brimmer jumping to Aidara (#6 > #6), as it leaves Gallegos isolated.
Wouldn't mind seeing a bit more experimentation this season with the 'bunch and launch' goal kick.
Sacrifice a second-ball scrapper to occupy a wider area for a quick third-ball release, most likely a winger who can cover ground quickly.
The opponent sends a fullback to cover? Great, send two.
Sacrifice a second-ball scrapper to occupy a wider area for a quick third-ball release, most likely a winger who can cover ground quickly.
The opponent sends a fullback to cover? Great, send two.
August 30, 2025 at 5:48 AM
Wouldn't mind seeing a bit more experimentation this season with the 'bunch and launch' goal kick.
Sacrifice a second-ball scrapper to occupy a wider area for a quick third-ball release, most likely a winger who can cover ground quickly.
The opponent sends a fullback to cover? Great, send two.
Sacrifice a second-ball scrapper to occupy a wider area for a quick third-ball release, most likely a winger who can cover ground quickly.
The opponent sends a fullback to cover? Great, send two.
Communication through movement.
Movement through principles.
Principle: overload the centre.
— wingers movement inside is the (non-verbal) cue for the fullback to move high
— differing personnel/dynamics depending on the location of the ball and phase of play
Blend guidelines with responsibility.
Movement through principles.
Principle: overload the centre.
— wingers movement inside is the (non-verbal) cue for the fullback to move high
— differing personnel/dynamics depending on the location of the ball and phase of play
Blend guidelines with responsibility.
August 28, 2025 at 8:54 AM
Communication through movement.
Movement through principles.
Principle: overload the centre.
— wingers movement inside is the (non-verbal) cue for the fullback to move high
— differing personnel/dynamics depending on the location of the ball and phase of play
Blend guidelines with responsibility.
Movement through principles.
Principle: overload the centre.
— wingers movement inside is the (non-verbal) cue for the fullback to move high
— differing personnel/dynamics depending on the location of the ball and phase of play
Blend guidelines with responsibility.
— Pin/invert (fullbacks)
— Stretch (centre-backs)
— Dictate (#6/#8)
Ball-players in central areas facing forwards, dictating progression.
— Stretch (centre-backs)
— Dictate (#6/#8)
Ball-players in central areas facing forwards, dictating progression.
August 27, 2025 at 10:02 AM
— Pin/invert (fullbacks)
— Stretch (centre-backs)
— Dictate (#6/#8)
Ball-players in central areas facing forwards, dictating progression.
— Stretch (centre-backs)
— Dictate (#6/#8)
Ball-players in central areas facing forwards, dictating progression.
Defensive pressure can be simplified into:
→ everyone goes
OR
→ everyone stays
→ everyone goes
OR
→ everyone stays
August 21, 2025 at 11:18 AM
Defensive pressure can be simplified into:
→ everyone goes
OR
→ everyone stays
→ everyone goes
OR
→ everyone stays
Losing the ball isn't the biggest mistake.
Not reacting with intent is.
Not reacting with intent is.
John Anastasiadis has his Heidelberg side locked in.
11 seconds after a turnover and an unsuccessful counter-press, they are back in their compact mid-block, nullifying any transitional threat.
Sprinting, aggressiveness, fulfilling individual roles and collective principles.
11 seconds after a turnover and an unsuccessful counter-press, they are back in their compact mid-block, nullifying any transitional threat.
Sprinting, aggressiveness, fulfilling individual roles and collective principles.
August 20, 2025 at 11:00 AM
Losing the ball isn't the biggest mistake.
Not reacting with intent is.
Not reacting with intent is.
John Anastasiadis has his Heidelberg side locked in.
11 seconds after a turnover and an unsuccessful counter-press, they are back in their compact mid-block, nullifying any transitional threat.
Sprinting, aggressiveness, fulfilling individual roles and collective principles.
11 seconds after a turnover and an unsuccessful counter-press, they are back in their compact mid-block, nullifying any transitional threat.
Sprinting, aggressiveness, fulfilling individual roles and collective principles.
August 20, 2025 at 10:36 AM
John Anastasiadis has his Heidelberg side locked in.
11 seconds after a turnover and an unsuccessful counter-press, they are back in their compact mid-block, nullifying any transitional threat.
Sprinting, aggressiveness, fulfilling individual roles and collective principles.
11 seconds after a turnover and an unsuccessful counter-press, they are back in their compact mid-block, nullifying any transitional threat.
Sprinting, aggressiveness, fulfilling individual roles and collective principles.
4-5-1 out of possession shape can be an effective mid/low-block strategy against teams that box their midfield, or just dual #10's in general.
It allows 2 central midfielders to block the half-space lane into the #10's, while the central #6 prevents any access directly into the #9.
It allows 2 central midfielders to block the half-space lane into the #10's, while the central #6 prevents any access directly into the #9.
August 20, 2025 at 9:43 AM
When doubling/tripling up in wide areas, the far side #6 needs to have the awareness to cover the half-space, while the more advanced far side players drop and shift across accordingly.
August 16, 2025 at 10:19 AM
When doubling/tripling up in wide areas, the far side #6 needs to have the awareness to cover the half-space, while the more advanced far side players drop and shift across accordingly.
— Drop and drag
— Play between or play beyond
— Play between or play beyond
August 15, 2025 at 10:36 AM
— Drop and drag
— Play between or play beyond
— Play between or play beyond
Auckland can be a bit braver in breaking through the midfield line(s), especially against NPL opposition.
Against a 4-1-4-1, when the advanced midfielders are drawn higher, the single #6 can become isolated centrally or create gaps when covering the wide channels like in this moment.
Against a 4-1-4-1, when the advanced midfielders are drawn higher, the single #6 can become isolated centrally or create gaps when covering the wide channels like in this moment.
August 13, 2025 at 10:54 AM
Auckland can be a bit braver in breaking through the midfield line(s), especially against NPL opposition.
Against a 4-1-4-1, when the advanced midfielders are drawn higher, the single #6 can become isolated centrally or create gaps when covering the wide channels like in this moment.
Against a 4-1-4-1, when the advanced midfielders are drawn higher, the single #6 can become isolated centrally or create gaps when covering the wide channels like in this moment.
Guillermo May is extremely versatile.
— Drops low into defensive areas
— Shifts wide to become a progressive option
— Holds the ball up with his back to goal
— Intelligently finds pockets of space between lines
— Knows when to carry and when to release
— Drops low into defensive areas
— Shifts wide to become a progressive option
— Holds the ball up with his back to goal
— Intelligently finds pockets of space between lines
— Knows when to carry and when to release
August 13, 2025 at 10:05 AM
Guillermo May is extremely versatile.
— Drops low into defensive areas
— Shifts wide to become a progressive option
— Holds the ball up with his back to goal
— Intelligently finds pockets of space between lines
— Knows when to carry and when to release
— Drops low into defensive areas
— Shifts wide to become a progressive option
— Holds the ball up with his back to goal
— Intelligently finds pockets of space between lines
— Knows when to carry and when to release
Transitions aren't just clear counter-attacks when you see 3v3's, 2v2's etc.
Every game is full of transitional moments when possession is turned over, and how teams respond in these moments is crucial.
Every game is full of transitional moments when possession is turned over, and how teams respond in these moments is crucial.
This compactness also helps the in possession phase after the ball is won back (attacking transition), allowing teammates to connect with each other while the opposition are still trying to settle into their defensive shape (defensive transition).
August 13, 2025 at 1:32 AM
Transitions aren't just clear counter-attacks when you see 3v3's, 2v2's etc.
Every game is full of transitional moments when possession is turned over, and how teams respond in these moments is crucial.
Every game is full of transitional moments when possession is turned over, and how teams respond in these moments is crucial.
WSW will need a tighter high and mid-block this season to protect key areas, to reliably get pressure on the ball in these moments, and also to help the attacking transition phase.
· small [THREAD] 📄
· small [THREAD] 📄
August 13, 2025 at 1:14 AM
WSW will need a tighter high and mid-block this season to protect key areas, to reliably get pressure on the ball in these moments, and also to help the attacking transition phase.
· small [THREAD] 📄
· small [THREAD] 📄
Hollman/Kamijo/Sena receive this pass on their dominant foot and curve a pass to the RCB's dominant foot, allowing for easier forward momentum.
The same on the other side with Paul O-E > LCB.
Balance.
The same on the other side with Paul O-E > LCB.
Balance.
On this occasion while playing short, it also creates a shorter pass from the GK > 6, and then a simple bounce pass from 6 > CB, utilising the space behind where the pressing action came from.
August 13, 2025 at 12:37 AM
Hollman/Kamijo/Sena receive this pass on their dominant foot and curve a pass to the RCB's dominant foot, allowing for easier forward momentum.
The same on the other side with Paul O-E > LCB.
Balance.
The same on the other side with Paul O-E > LCB.
Balance.
Sydney FC's #6's use dynamic dropping movements in low build-up and from goal kicks.
The movement is triggered once the GK controls the ball, not when the goal kick is first taken.
The movement is triggered once the GK controls the ball, not when the goal kick is first taken.
August 12, 2025 at 11:38 AM
Sydney FC's #6's use dynamic dropping movements in low build-up and from goal kicks.
The movement is triggered once the GK controls the ball, not when the goal kick is first taken.
The movement is triggered once the GK controls the ball, not when the goal kick is first taken.
· in space → isolated.
· find the free man → or create the conditions to play through pressure.
· find the free man → or create the conditions to play through pressure.
August 12, 2025 at 11:15 AM
· in space → isolated.
· find the free man → or create the conditions to play through pressure.
· find the free man → or create the conditions to play through pressure.
More of this 👏🏼
High to low movement from Barbarouses to find a passing lane from the CB, while also attracting the opposing midfielder → support underneath → 4th man receives facing forward.
High to low movement from Barbarouses to find a passing lane from the CB, while also attracting the opposing midfielder → support underneath → 4th man receives facing forward.
August 12, 2025 at 10:59 AM
More of this 👏🏼
High to low movement from Barbarouses to find a passing lane from the CB, while also attracting the opposing midfielder → support underneath → 4th man receives facing forward.
High to low movement from Barbarouses to find a passing lane from the CB, while also attracting the opposing midfielder → support underneath → 4th man receives facing forward.
Despite dominating possession so far, WSW's static last line occupation and distances from the ball carrier has forced them to either play over or around Heidelberg's block.
August 12, 2025 at 10:42 AM
Despite dominating possession so far, WSW's static last line occupation and distances from the ball carrier has forced them to either play over or around Heidelberg's block.