Roberto López del Campo’s Post

In the modern era of football, tactical philosophies have done more than influence match strategy. Tiki-taka and gegenpressing have reshaped the way players grow, train, and understand the game. Tiki-taka is characterized by short, quick passing, positional rotation, and a supreme emphasis on possession. Born from the legacy of Johan Cruyff’s ideas, and refined under Pep Guardiola’s Barcelona and the Spanish national team between 2008 and 2012, it became the benchmark for control and elegance in modern football. In this system, every player — even defenders — must be comfortable with the ball, able to make clever passes, understand spatial geometry, and move fluidly off the ball to create passing angles. The notion is that by controlling the ball, you control the game; a team that holds possession denies opportunities to the opponent. From a growth perspective, tiki-taka forces a player’s technical and cognitive development: 1) Technical precision: Players must master first touch, short passing, quick combinations, and instant decision-making, even under pressure. 2) Tactical intelligence: Understanding when to rotate, which gaps to exploit, and how to maintain positional structure is vital. 3) Adaptability: Players learn to interpret space, find windows for progressive passes However, tiki-taka is not without its criticisms. Some argue that focusing too much on possession can reduce vertical threat or leave a team vulnerable to quick counterattacks. Moreover, as Pep Guardiola himself once complained, passing for its own sake is meaningless; the passes must have intention and purpose. In contrast with the possession-centric world of tiki-taka, gegenpressing (or counter-pressing) operates on aggression, intensity, and reclaiming initiative the moment possession is lost. It advocates for high pressure, short bursts of coordinated collective movement, and rapid transitional play. Pioneered by coaches such as Jürgen Klopp and influenced by German coaching philosophies, gegenpressing embodies a proactive defense: win the ball back as close to the opponent’s goal as possible, then attack. It punishes opponents for errors, stifles their buildup, and exploits turnovers immediately. From the development view, implementing gegenpressing in training changes what coaches emphasize: 1) Physical attributes: High stamina, acceleration, strength, and recovery speed become more essential than ever. 2) Mental sharpness: Players must instantly react to turnover, shift roles, and reorganize. 3) Team coordination: Pressing requires synchronicity — triggers, zones, traps — all executed collectively. Gegenpressing doesn’t reject possession; rather, it aims to make possession dangerous by combining disruption with quick attacking transitions. The evolution from a singular tiki-taka dominance to a more flexible, pressing-aware pedigree mirrors the broader trend in football: tactical pluralism.

The evolution of football has transformed goalkeepers from shot-stoppers into playmakers, creating new technical challenges that many struggle to master. Modern goalkeepers must possess the distribution skills of a quarterback, the vision of a playmaker, and the composure of a midfielder – all while maintaining their primary shot-stopping abilities. Today’s high-pressing game demands that goalkeepers make split-second distribution decisions under intense pressure. Opposition forwards now target goalkeepers immediately after they collect the ball, forcing quick thinking and precise execution. The margin for error has virtually disappeared, as poor distribution often leads to immediate scoring opportunities for opponents. The technical demands are substantial. Goalkeepers must master various distribution techniques: short passes to center-backs under pressure, driven passes to midfield, and long-range distribution to switch play or launch attacks. Each technique requires different mechanics, timing, and decision-making processes. Many goalkeepers excel at one type but struggle with others, limiting their team’s tactical options. Tactical awareness adds another layer of complexity. Modern goalkeepers must understand their team’s build-up patterns, recognise when to play short versus long, and identify the optimal targets for different game situations. They need to read opposition pressing triggers and exploit spaces that open up as teams commit players forward. The psychological aspect cannot be ignored. Distribution errors often result in goals, creating anxiety that affects future decision-making. Some goalkeepers become overly conservative, always choosing the “safe” option, while others take unnecessary risks trying to prove their ability. Improvement requires dedicated practice with game-realistic scenarios. Training should include pressure situations, various weather conditions, and different tactical setups. Video analysis helps goalkeepers understand their decision-making patterns and identify areas for improvement. The goalkeepers who master distribution become invaluable assets, effectively functioning as an extra outfield player and providing their teams with significant tactical advantages.

Cut Protection: Facts vs. Fiction The NHL’s standardized testing, based on ANSI/ISEA 105-16, is the fact-based gold standard for cut resistance. On this scale, A9 is the highest, safest level. The test provides an apples-to-apples comparison of all products cleared for use in the NHL. In consumer marketing, “puffery” is common — phrases like “world’s best coffee” are harmless exaggerations. But when it comes to player safety, exaggeration crosses the line. The Fiction An A3 product claims you’re “well-protected” with a product “many times stronger than steel." An A6 product marketed as “ultimate safety.” An A7 product advertised as “15 times stronger than steel.””Top rated.” These are just a few of the claims that are misleading and dangerous. A6 is not the ultimate safety. It’s actually half the cut protection of A9. Half the cut protection is far from the “ultimate safety.” And tensile strength (15 x’s stronger than steel) has “nothing” to do with cut resistance — yet such language can influence parents, players, and even equipment managers. The Facts NHL Standardized Testing tells the truth. There’s a reason the AHL & NHL set A5 as the minimum level of cut protection. A9 is the highest, safest level of cut resistance in the NHL’s standardized testing. The Bottom Line Brands making these exaggerated claims aren’t selling coffee — they’re supposed to be promoting player safety.  When safety is at stake, facts help fiction hurts.

🧠 Modern football has redefined how teams organize, occupy, and manipulate space. Tactical evolution has turned space into one of the game’s most valuable assets. Controlling the ball is no longer enough. Teams must control the pitch, knowing when to compress or stretch it depending on the phase of play. From low defensive blocks that test the opponent’s patience to expansive attacking shapes that stretch opposition lines. Understanding spatial behavior has become a crucial objective for clubs, analysts, and coaching staffs. With this in mind, Driblab presents 'Spatial Coverage', a new pack of metrics that quantifies a team's shape, line height, compactness, and width in different game phases. This tool is designed to analyze tactical patterns and collective structures with unprecedented accuracy. Full info: https://lnkd.in/dcHGaEKd 𝗦𝗣𝗔𝗧𝗜𝗔𝗟 𝗖𝗢𝗩𝗘𝗥𝗔𝗚𝗘 𝗠𝗘𝗧𝗥𝗜𝗖𝗦 - 𝗟𝗮𝘀𝘁 𝗗𝗲𝗳𝗲𝗻𝗱𝗲𝗿 𝗗𝗶𝘀𝘁𝗮𝗻𝗰𝗲 Distance between the last outfield defender (excluding goalkeeper) and their own goal line. Useful to assess line height and defensive risk. - 𝗗𝗲𝗳𝗲𝗻𝘀𝗶𝘃𝗲 𝗟𝗶𝗻𝗲 𝗗𝗶𝘀𝘁𝗮𝗻𝗰𝗲 Average position of the deepest defensive line. Helps quantify how deep or aggressive the defensive block is. - 𝗙𝘂𝗹𝗹-𝗕𝗮𝗰𝗸 𝗗𝗶𝘀𝘁𝗮𝗻𝗰𝗲 Distance from both full-backs to their own goal, including their Y-position in possession. Reflects their involvement and structural positioning. - 𝗕𝗹𝗼𝗰𝗸 𝗗𝗶𝘀𝘁𝗮𝗻𝗰𝗲 Vertical distance between the deepest and most advanced outfield players. Direct indicator of block compactness or vertical stretching. - 𝗕𝗹𝗼𝗰𝗸 𝗔𝗿𝗲𝗮 Area of the bounding box surrounding all outfield players. Measures how much space the team is occupying. - 𝗗𝗲𝗳𝗲𝗻𝘀𝗶𝘃𝗲 𝗟𝗶𝗻𝗲 𝗪𝗶𝗱𝘁𝗵 (𝗢𝘂𝘁 𝗼𝗳 𝗣𝗼𝘀𝘀𝗲𝘀𝘀𝗶𝗼𝗻 𝗼𝗻𝗹𝘆) Width of the most advanced defensive line. Indicates how much horizontal space the team covers when defending. - 𝗢𝗳𝗳𝗲𝗻𝘀𝗶𝘃𝗲 𝗟𝗶𝗻𝗲 𝗪𝗶𝗱𝘁𝗵 (𝗜𝗻 𝗣𝗼𝘀𝘀𝗲𝘀𝘀𝗶𝗼𝗻 𝗼𝗻𝗹𝘆) Width of the attacking line in possession. Reveals how the team stretches the pitch to create space. - 𝗢𝗳𝗳𝗲𝗻𝘀𝗶𝘃𝗲 𝗟𝗶𝗻𝗲 𝗗𝗶𝘀𝘁𝗮𝗻𝗰𝗲 (𝗜𝗻 𝗣𝗼𝘀𝘀𝗲𝘀𝘀𝗶𝗼𝗻 𝗼𝗻𝗹𝘆) Vertical distance between own goal and the offensive line. Highlights how deep or high the team positions itself when attacking -------------------------------------------------------- With this new metric pack, Driblab continues to expand the scope of tactical analysis, offering tools to monitor, compare, and optimize spatial structures with total precision. 'Spatial Coverage' brings clarity to traditionally subjective concepts like block compactness, attacking width, or positional depth. If you're a club, analyst, or football professional looking to integrate these insights into your workflow, contact us for a personalized demo. We’d be glad to show you the full potential of 'Spatial Coverage'.

It was the tale of two QBs, the tale of two halves, and the tale of two responses to adversity. One flourished. The other? Floundered. Caleb Williams opened Monday night like a future superstar. 10-for-10 passing. Crisp execution. A touchdown drive that looked effortless. But then? The storm hit. Accuracy waned. Opportunities slipped. Confidence cracked. Meanwhile, J.J. McCarthy’s start looked rocky. Missed throws. Drives stalled. Nothing came easy. Here's where the two tales took an unexpected turn, the plot twist you didn't see coming: JJ's body language never broke. His poise never cracked. His energy never dipped. Adversity pressed him, but it didn’t possess him. He throws a "pick-six" and reacts like... THAT? And in the fourth quarter, he came alive, leading the Vikings to a comeback win on a QB keeper and a the smuggest, coolest look on his face. This game wasn’t just about football. It was a case study in how challenge teaches us. 1/ Adversity reveals your foundation. Williams’ hot start looked unstoppable. Until it wasn’t. McCarthy’s shaky beginning looked fragile. Until it wasn’t. What lasts is deeper than results. 2/ Struggle tests your responses. Do you flinch when things fall apart? Or do you breathe, reset, and keep swinging? Are you at the mercy of the results in front of you? Or steadfast in the face of them, consistent in character, in approach, in leadership? 3/ Character shows in the long game. Results fluctuate. Confidence built on externals rises and falls. But unshakable presence? That travels. For us coaches, the takeaway is clear: Adversity is ruthless. But it’s also beautiful. It unmasks who our athletes really are and who WE are. Performance matters. But how you respond when the game turns against you? That’s what lasts. The score was simply a byproduct of two QBs characters.

Every opponent poses a different challenge. Some look to dominate possession, others thrive in transition, and many rely on set pieces to tilt a game in their favor. The margins are small, and the difference between three points and none often comes down to how well a team prepares. That’s where opposition scouting earns its value. It’s not simply about listing the top scorer or noting a formation—it’s about breaking down patterns of play, exposing weaknesses, and identifying the moments where games can be won. A quality opposition report takes hours of film and turns it into something clear, concise, and immediately useful for players and coaches. For coaching staffs, this is about more than just insight—it’s about time. Preparing a team for an opponent already demands countless hours on the training ground, in meetings, and in player management. Opposition scouting takes a major portion of the workload off their plate. Instead of spending valuable time sifting through footage, staffs can focus on applying a clear game plan and coaching the details that matter most. It’s been rewarding to provide this type of support for a few programs this season—helping staffs save time while still going into matches fully prepared. The result? Players step onto the pitch with confidence, coaches have sharper tactical adjustments, and teams find small but crucial advantages over the course of a long season. In a sport where the margins are razor thin, those saved hours—and those extra details—can make all the difference.

Football Meets Supply Chain - Part 5 Game Planning Is Just Forecasting with a Helmet Every team starts with a plan. They study film. They analyze tendencies. They script the first 15 plays. But then the game starts… and they adjust. That’s football. And that’s forecasting. Here’s the play-by-play: 📊 Forecasting Is Your Game Plan You analyze demand, capacity, historical data, seasonality, and set the strategy. But just like football, no plan survives first contact without some adjustments. 🔁 In-Game Adjustments = Real-Time Visibility You need tools and processes that let you see what’s actually happening, and pivot fast. 🧠 Coaches Rely on Data and Instinct Same for supply chain leaders. You don’t just follow the spreadsheet, you read the field, trust your team, and react based on what’s in front of you. 📉 Teams Lose When They Stick to the Wrong Plan Too Long In both football and supply chain, it’s not about the perfect plan. It’s about execution, feedback, and the willingness to call an audible. Great supply chains don’t just plan. They respond. They learn. They adjust. And when it matters, they win the next play. 💬 How does your team treat forecasting - fixed plan, or flexible playbook? Grab time on my calendar for a complimentary 30-minute discussion - no pitch, just perspective. #creativity #innovation #business #strategy #owscc

“LALIGA’s tactical evolution: higher regains, longer sequences, tighter shapes, smarter finishes.” 🔍 Over several seasons, Football Intelligence & Performance Department at LALIGA treated nine longitudinal studies as a single investigation to test stubborn assumptions in professional football. Do more crosses really help? Does one “right” formation exist? Is faster progression always more dangerous? Instead of arguing in the abstract, we followed the evidence across thousands of matches and asked a harder question: which habits consistently separate stronger teams once the game evolves? 💡 What the data says (integrated view) 🔹 Possession has become more associative: more passes and slightly longer sequences, with lower direct speed before the final thrust. 🔹 Start location matters: top teams recover and begin higher, and they protect the first pass after regains to stabilise attacks. 🔹 Compactness is a habit, not a plan-on-paper: shorter team length and a more advanced goalkeeper line compress opponent space while keeping build-up stable. 🔹 Principles travel across shapes: formation diversity increased; identity is built by repeatable ideas that survive system changes. 🔹 Offensive length beats raw width: stronger sides pin the last line and arrive to finish—often through third-man actions and cut-backs—rather than relying on early, hopeful deliveries. 🔹 A quiet tell of stress: corners conceded correlate with weaker status; fix the origins (late blocks, panicked clearances, poor exits), not only the set piece itself. 🔹 First vs second tier: LaLiga EA Sports shows tighter spacing and more association than the second division; newly promoted teams adapt fastest by compressing vertical distances and stabilising earlier. 🛠️ What to do on Monday 1️⃣ Move the average start of your possessions five metres higher and make the first pass after regain non-negotiable. 2️⃣ Build sequences that stabilise before speed—reward third-man actions, underlaps and cut-backs. 3️⃣ Coach team-length bands and the GK line as part of build-up and rest defence. 4️⃣ Replace “more crosses” with repeatable arrival routes that reflect how goals are actually created today. 📌 Why this matters Across elite football, passing frequency and accuracy trend upward while direct progression trends downward. Our LALIGA work refines that picture: where possessions start, how long they last, and how tight the structure stays are the levers that now decide status. The attached image summarises these insights as a Decalogue for quick reference. 🎧 Podcast: https://lnkd.in/dYy2arH3 🔗 Access to the 9 longitudinal studies : https://lnkd.in/d-daBCnE

⚽ 💡 Game Management or Game Mindset? Brooklyn Raines Chooses the Latter 🇺🇸 United States were 1-0 up heading into the 89th minute against France in the U20 World Cup when Brooklyn Raines (defensive midfielder) steps out to win the ball and keeps going to seal a big win. "Game Management" is a term I'm not a big fan of these days. Mostly because it tells young players to waste time, go to the corner flag instead of the goal, and promotes a risk averse mindset to the game in general. But the game is changing .... With longer stoppage times, the old tricks no longer protect leads the way they once did. A team that tries to “hold on” by defending deeper and deeper usually ends up under siege. What was once a comfortable advantage can quickly turn into chaos on the edge of the six-yard box. The Del Piero goal against Germany in the 2006 World Cup is the ultimate closing moment in a big game. Team psychology and tactical systems will start to overlap as soon as the ref starts the game and it’s important we there’s not compartmentalization of the four corners. Preparation, planning and support are key components of coaching, but when it comes to player development, we have to ask ourselves: are we teaching players to protect what they have, or to go and claim what they want? The former builds risk-averse habits. The latter builds courage, confidence, and a proactive approach to the game. Well done United States by the way... that was one massive win.