A "small-game" approach to tactical awareness. (soccer)

Soccer players have to develop in four areas - tactical, physical, psychological, and technical - in order to move up to the advanced level.

Put simply, tactical ability tells a player what blade of grass to stand on; physical ability enables him to get there under all conditions, psychological ability compels him to give everything he has to get there; and technical ability allows him to perform once he arrives.

As a rule, it is the lack of tactical awareness - and perhaps psychological toughness - not a lack of individual skill that stunts a player's advancement.

Tactical awareness involves many players and a large playing area. The tactically aware ...