The Speed of Play Paradox

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About Me
Name: Matt Sheldon
Age: 31
Height: 6' 0"
Weight: 170 lbs
Nationality: USA
Job: Professional Soccer Player
Current Team: Detroit City FC
Current League: USL Championship (USA 2nd Tier)
Last Team: Charleston Battery
Previous Teams: FC Tulsa, Tulsa Roughnecks, Waterside Karori FC, Saint Louis FC, Orange County Blues, SG Kinzenbach
Position: RB/LB/RM
College: UC Davis (D1)

[@drake1636]

Another factor is that games tend to look different on TV compared to in real life. The broadcast cameras tend to make the field look larger compared to when you are standing on the sideline or in the stadium. If you count how many seconds players have on the ball or how many touches they take,, you'll find that things are usually moving quickly.

[@BecomeElite]

100%

[@kaushitwakafidi]

Good point, but I must concur that the speed of play paradox is a real thing. Just look at the difference between the Top/premier leagues in most countries and compare it to the 1st and 2nd divisions of those same countries. I have noticed that the divisions and lower leagues seem to be more 'pacey' with much more running as compared to the top league. It's to the point where it appears much 'easier' to play in the top/premier league. One can also add that it is the same thing in sports such as boxing, martial arts etc. where the amateurs seem to be more rapid but reckless whereas the pros are more patient and calculated.

[@thewize]

The better the team im on, the better striker ​i am because the passes and movement are better @@kaushitwakafidi

[@eugenymalo8704]

As far as boxing you are correct. Amateurs pace is faster than professional boxing because of two things mainly. The rounds in amateur boxing are only 3 compared to 10-12 in the pro ranks. As a result, amateurs train to fight a higher tempo, higher pace with more output. Even when you put amateurs with pros and in 3/4 rounds the amateurs do better. As far as soccer, I think it's the quickness of mind that pro soccer players have that slows down the game. Go back to boxing and watch a highly skilled and experiences fighter how he can slow down the pace ​@@kaushitwakafidi

[@PabloRodriguez-xj1yk]

True

[@theshadowrealm1311]

The camera is very deceiving. It's only when you see a top level game live that you get an appreciation for the pace at which passes are played and the quality of players first touch 😊

[@oilslick7010]

Yup! Even lower leagues games I've watched live often 'felt' faster than a top game I watched on television. Even though I already knew this wasn' t the case, I was still blown away by the difference in speed in terms of thinking and handling when I saw Barca at their high point at Nou Camp. Especially the first touch and the first decision after that is where you see the difference in skill so much better than on TV, not the fancy highlight reel plays

[@robertdiez3091]

I went to the Chelsea vs Wrexham in Chapel Hill last year. A Wrexham played across the lines over the top an Chalobah just turned an kicked it away sliding. It was impressive seeing it in person. I agree the TV don't show the speed compared on seeing it live.

[@TheReeelBradPitt]

Even a fan recorded video of an average regular moment will look super impressive, I think maybe it’s time to experiment with the camera techniques used for broadcasting, and see if there’s a way to make the game look more dynamic

[@beejj6190]

Many UK tops teams play a 'pressing' game. i.e. always making a physical effort to regain a ball you've lost. Now, if both teams aren't 'pressers' you'll find they have the time to simply play 'football chess' i.e. seeing which play the other team will make and try to disrupt their attacking momentum 'at that point'. And that approach is actually when some games ARE in fact as slow [intermittently] as they seem.

[@wespicedmemes]

I remember seeing a Messi pass live. It was a friendly and it was basically his first touch. The whole stadium gasped in awe cuz the ball went so high and Jordi Alba took it down like it was nothing.

[@asnark7115]

A lot of the "paradox" is because most of us have to watch a narrow television view around the ball. It's much easier to understand hesitation on the ball when you can see all their options and obstacles.

[@nictheperson6709]

And also what they can't see. The viewer on TV has better vision than any player, so it's hard to remember that there are things the players don't or even can't see.

[@Wherewolf84]

I've encouraged my daughter to play in the local adult league, and many of her friends have joined it. It's fun to watch kids with pace get absolutely taken to school by teams with decades of experience and coordination, and watch them adapt. It's not (just) about pace or individual skill, it's about understanding the game state and working as a unit.

[@1237barca]

Great comment. Have young players referee at a reasonably high level. Particularly running a line (being an AR) opens the mind to the spacing and tactics involved.

[@Wherewolf84]

@@1237barca reffing is a great way to see the game, but it's tough mentally. I had the advantage of being a greybeard before I started reffing, so there's a default/subconscious level of respect that is given (at least at the grassroots level). And even I get tired of the drama. But it is definitely the best seat in the house

[@Davis7798]

Really depends on the level of adult league though. I’ve played in so many adult leagues and just straight up dominated as a d3 bench warmer to the point I stoped cause it was making me worse.

[@madMARTYNmarsh1981]

I was very good at football in my youth, I developed a bit of an ego about it. My P.E. teacher could see the arrogance developing, so he got a lad from 2 years higher (I was 13, Billy was 15; 2 and a bit years of pubescent development makes a huge difference in football, any sport really) and he wiped the floor with me. It put me in my place. I was a central midfielder, Billy was a defender, my ball skill was better but Billy had a mass and strength advantage as well as a faster sprint speed, combined with his greater understanding of space due to playing competitive football, it was a huge difference in how he interacted with those on his team. Learning from more experienced players is a huge asset.

[@1237barca]

@@madMARTYNmarsh1981 this is a great insight. Playing only with those your same age/level isn’t ideal. Same goes for general education which is why school sucks.

[@Ygaming21.]

More game iq no waste movements

[@1237barca]

Good referees do the same thing, the Messi thing: you are either walking or sprinting.

[@randomone4832]

This is true. Professionals have more time on the ball because other pros know lunging in is a losing strategy. The opposite is true in amateur. You have zero seconds before some idiot rushes you, and you have no passing lanes because your team mates are garbage at positioning. If you watch less skilled leagues (like MLS), you’ll notice a lot more tackling and pressuring and forward movement due to less technical ability and creativity-making the game appear faster.

[@DjDolHaus86]

Not so much about wasting movement but more about retaining strategic shape and not making mistakes that lead to giving the ball away in a compromising position.

[@Ygaming21.]

@@DjDolHaus86 wasting movement=what you said will happen

[@DjDolHaus86]

@@Ygaming21. It's a weird way of describing it. Wasting movement would imply an unnecessary expenditure of energy, this is more about compromising positional structure

[@DazedAndConfuzing]

When I was younger I had an awesome engine and even through most of high school, I could mindlessly sprint for 90 min and win the ball in the midfield, I was switch to Center back and my perception changed, my coach drilled in patience and reading of the game, he made me play through mistakes and own them. Now at 30, I coach college club guys who try to run me off the park when I hop into a scrimmage or small sided game, they struggle with my lack of movement and often forget about me. I lost my engine, I lost my pace due to a variety of factors, but I stay relevant. It been a strange reflection point for me.

[@allessandro989]

Play slower, but smarter.. every old player :)

[@griffinshorts785]

@@allessandro989haha I’m not there yet but I am getting slower so hopefully I can adapt

[@Valpo2004]

Messi doesn't run that much off the ball, yet he's still Messi.

[@Azabaxe80]

Declan Rice was already a superlative player when he moved from West Ham to the Arsenal. In an interview he did with Rio Ferdinand early this season, he was asked about his experience with the Gunners up to that point, and he talked about learning a lot of things. When pressed to give a specific example, he talked about _standing still_ . Having the discipline to hold his ground and let the play come to him, as well as trusting his teammates to do their job properly. I thought that was interesting, because he's never been a player who instinctively flies into tackles anyway, and here he was talking about needing to be more _serene_ in his play. Ironically, Arsenal Rice has a lot more responsibility in greater areas of the pitch than West Ham Rice ever did, but yes, he seems even more silky smooth than I remember him being when at West Ham.

[@sususegar]

@@Azabaxe80that's the thing about the British fans and the British game in general. They overvalue the ability to keep run up and down the pitch, just like the final year Rice was at West Ham when he was turning into an all-action box to box midfielder. I remember many British pundits were wetting their panties at the "improvement" he was displaying that season, including Souness, just as they do with any midfielder who runs all day all night. Holding your position and owning it without running around like a Gerrard is something they can't seem to appreciate, even after regretting for wasting talents like Carrick and Scholes.

[@Gonapa58]

Top flight pros MAKE more time with body shape. Before even receiving the ball, the direction your feet, hips and momentum are oriented (In academy it's called your "arrow" or vector") create more time before even touching the ball and determines how fast you can take a touch or pass and especially with which foot. Scanning and awareness obviously help too Teams also bait pressing triggers like Brighton by standing on the ball or delaying their passes and touches until the last instant on purpose so it's very hard to press at the top level

[@1237barca]

Great point! Also, over the shoulder looks make it appear that a player has move time. In fact, I’m quite sure there is no better simple obscure metric for the quality of a player than over their shoulder checks per minute

[@fupi78]

Good point about Brighton. The delay their passing for a few seconds. Sometimes they faint to be passing to bait opponents into moving thus opening spaces😂

[@lapatria100]

Good comment! Didn't know it was called arrow/vector

[@uksharif]

Even a good semi pro does this so much better than useful amateurs. And the first touches, in addition to body shapes and peripheral vision, make it look like they have qn extra 1.5 seconds every time they have the ball... it makes them look casual

[@scheimong]

Reminds me of chess. At an amateur level (or even a lower professional level) players who play wild and crazy usually score pretty well, because it's more difficult to defend than to attack and the price of screwing up is way higher. Once you get into GM territory though, subtleties like weak squares, pawn structure, and minor piece imbalance become much more important. So GM games can often look boring (e.g. WCC 2018 - Magnus and Fabiano drew 12/12 classical games). But this does not mean they are incapable of executing a ferocious attack; they will absolutely calculate 20 moves and crush you with crazy tactics when the situation calls for it.

[@patrickyeah4101]

Fr, it's a kind of mutual respect

[@maxkho00]

You only have to look at these pros' blitz games to see that these top GMs (all GMs, really) are incredible attackers: even positional players like Hikaru and Aman routinely pull off awe-inspiring attacks consisting of one sacrifice after another. And you only have to look at Alireza's performance in the Candidates to see what happens when a player ─ even an incredibly good one ─ tries to force an attack when the position doesn't call for it.

[@AIIXIII0]

Exactly why I love football. There's tons of 1v1 but most of it are just mind games.

[@LaserrSharp]

It's like watching boxing at the highest levels. Sometimes those fights are not crowd pleasers because they are so tactical, a chess match instead of a brawl.

[@rq7284]

You missed a big one, the fields are also bigger and higher quality at the top level vs semi pro and amateur. The bigger the field, the more space. The better the pitch the less poor touches, and the more scans that can be done. Playing at the professional level is usually easier in games to some degree than the semi pro level if you are in a country/area that there is a discrepancy in field size/quality. But the training sessions at pro teams are much harder.

[@jinkuhu]

The pitch size can be a factor here but definitely not a significant one.

[@Ninty18]

The quality of the pitch plays into what he's saying about playing under pressure. At super-amateur level the terrible pitches add to the higher chance of a turn-over as the ball bobbles along and the receiver miss-controls and/or panics. Hence why everyone at Sunday League level madly sprints at the player receiving the ball as there's a high chance the player will panic and turn it over, and if they don't, there's a high chance the pitch will do that for you. At pro level not only is everyone far far better at playing under pressure, but the surface is not a factor too.

[@rq7284]

@@jinkuhu the size of the field is extremely significant. We aren't talking a small difference in size, we are talking like fields that don't meet Fifa standards in size in some places, one league below pro. And/or very bobbly pitches. At pro level trainings they usually train in tight spaces which is what makes it so hard. And then in the game they go to a big ass beautiful field. But if you ever see pros then play on a field that is very bad, you automatically see the change in performance in general.

[@jinkuhu]

@@rq7284 The point is that even amateur matches are also played at pitches whose sizes are similar to pro ones, at least in the Netherlands, Germany, etc.

[@rq7284]

@@jinkuhu In Eastern Europe, South America, Africa it's not like that at all

[@foottwinita4091]

Hi Matt not a comment related to this video, just want to say that I follow you since the Germany days and I swear you completely changed my life. I wanted to get better at soccer but didn’t know how, and you made me company in tough times and good ones. I’m Italian and never been to USA but I hope to meet you one day and say that to your face. Thank you for everything!

[@BecomeElite]

This made my day, man. Really appreciate all the kind words. I’m so happy that my videos can have a positive impact on your life, man!

[@rachitdang7453]

Apart from cameras making the game slow, slowing the pace down has become a vital tactic to bait the opponent's press. Once executed successfully, reaching the final third becomes easier. Roberto De Zerbi's Brighton are a prime example of this.

[@eamano8474]

I don't get this video at all. The only time the game looks slower is when they pass it around the back not under much pressure. In general play and the quick passing and movement makes it look much quicker at the top level than amateur level. And the players closing down do so at a much quicker pace. Yes the game isn't as direct but the speed of play definitely is

[@HM-mw7cg]

I'm glad someone made a video on this. Those of us who have played the game at a decent level realise it. The thing I find quite interesting is that there are occasionally players who would thrive so much at the highest level because of this more tempered and technical approach to the game. They ooze quality but aren't always picked up by scouts amongst the chaos of lower tier football. Every few years someone breaks through into the Premier League after luckily impressing the right person at a much lower level, but so many don’t

[@garthpenglase1613]

usually because they aren't actually as good as they need to be. scouts know what to look for, and good technical ability and good vision in a slower game can quickly disappear when you add speed of movement. In football, like all big sports, the margins are fine between levels but they are very real. I can look good in a slow league, and I'll be dispossessed and flustered if I'm playing out of my depth. Hence why a-tier players get paid the big bucks.

[@HM-mw7cg]

@@garthpenglase1613 you misunderstood my comment. There is regular proof that people slip through the cracks. Players come out of nowhere to prove themselves in a cup game, or like Mason Mount did with Derby. There’s no way he’d be playing in the PL if Lampard didn’t take a liking to him and bring him with him to Chelsea. There are plenty of suitable players who just aren’t lucky

[@fonevoda]

I've always noticed that highest caliper pro players don't display there quality in games. its simple, as you mention. But when they are warming up, and there pinging laced passes across the field, and doing amazing touches to bring the ball down or fooling around with the ball during warmup.. its just so impressive and really makes you realize there quality. i guess what i'm saying is.. you don't really realize how good these guys are technically untill you see them just f'ing around.

[@Monaleenian]

You mean that they don’t display the very outer limits of their technical ability during games. That’s correct. For the most part, while playing matches, they perform basic skills that are well within with limits of their technical ability. It’s exceedingly rare that they find themselves in a situation where performing some extravagant skill is the correct decision in that situation.

[@sowaveysuyat]

@@Monaleenian i must add, to perform the basic skills requires exceptional level of technique.. thats why those players make it to those levels. the level of technique is what makes the game look "simple" because they are executing small things properly (with both feet) - there is no player at the highest level that can't execute the required technical abilities with both feet.. they may have a stronger foot but both feet must have a high level of technical standard

[@Michael-cb5nm]

Caliber not caliper…

[@fonevoda]

@@Michael-cb5nmyou are the best. Thank you so much.

[@thewize]

They're also playing a role that doesn't demand the while repertoire - striker isn't going to play many cross field balls. Agree the best technique makes the basics look easy

[@toastehisback]

seeing some of the PL body cam footage from some teams too really puts it into perspective on how high tempo the gameplay is on their perspective compared to TV camera. The moment they take a touch there is someone right in front of them and they almost have 0 space to work with but the TV cam makes it look like they have so much space and time.

[@Incipidone]

Yep, check out that Youri Tielemans bodycam footage. Insane pressing

[@grahamalvarez5247]

Hey Matt, thanks for this video. (Been following since your Germany days) I recently just moved to Germany and have trialed with various levels of teams. Seeing Bizirksliga(7th) teams or Landesliga(6th) teams just running to create chaos in training or matches is not what I’m used to. But when I watch Bayernliga(5th) or above I can see the difference and how its thought out it. This helped remind me that this is an amateur “problem” as I’ve been finding it a lot recently with the teams around me.

[@Fri.day08]

Bro Love your content. It's informative, brilliantly presented. Keep going man. ❤

[@beatthebooker3381]

Although quite a few things were mentioned about defending, another major difference is the "off the ball" ability of the attacking team. In amateur level the "Off the ball" running and positioning of the attacking team is shocking. Players are very stationary or moving chaotically. At a professional level, each player know where his teammate is or in which open space he is going to move with without the need of scanning the field.

[@travispoker]

wow, so informative and valuable, thanks Matt

[@Choccytube]

Premier League football is more like chess now, teams study each others weaknesses and try to set traps to get the ball back. This is what a lot of fans do not understand about players like Kai Havertz, his positional awareness during presses is immense. He looks slow and lazy, but he is using his energy when it's most important.

[@adrianp6717]

Makes a lot of sense, thanks for the video!!

[@allancate7733]

I like that you articulated a serious point about the change of defense in amateur vs professional matches and you did it in the first couple minutes

[@barrysimon1194]

Great explanation!

[@Reimalken]

One reason not named is because in a sense it is easier. A top quality passer will land the ball at your feet in a way which is easy to control, freeing you from having to use valuable time bringing the ball under control and cutting down the pressing window. I'm such a scenario it emphatically IS easier to pick the next pass as opposed to having to do the same thing off of the back of a bad pass.

[@AIIXIII0]

Absolutely no one cared about passing. I remember doing the rondo and most of my team just sighing & said its boring. Guess what? Their passes are shit.

[@Brandao4]

Love that Analysis 😮😍

[@christianokolski9701]

Perfectly analyzed. Great video.

[@jacobbynum15]

Long time fan, and GREAT idea for a video!

[@orlandomartinez4085]

Great breakdown! Keep them coming

[@niranjan6918]

Thank you ! hope you cover such topics where you clear misconceptions about the pro game, especially when it comes to game difficulty, really interesting

[@nickfazzio5277]

VERY WELL SAID!!!

[@youtubeyouniversity8735]

Thank you for this, it is just what my boys need to hear

[@ATOMIC_18.]

You are so informative Thanks So much

[@ChristophWalks]

Great video man. Definitely helps in understanding. I went to a Bayern-Real exhibition game, and I was amazed at how clean their touches were. Every pass was just machine-like, and the players were perfectly lined up. It was amazing to watch.

[@abdullahsabawi1202]

Wow this is sooooo true, beneficial breakdown

[@codenamerishi]

The easier a player looks a game play, the better he is.

[@josepacheco010]

another top class video, quality coach in the making

[@IanB22]

Another banger.... Thank you

[@soccerwizard975]

The threat that any player can increase the speed to 11 at any point with skills to back it up really means that strategy is more required

[@leoholanda4992]

Eye opening! Great video!

[@rjari8578]

There is always a high contrast of difference when you watch it on tv and watching it live on the pitch

[@Dannytohill]

Love your vids ❤

[@M4tti87]

Watching Thomas Müller closing spaces and organizing the first line of defense the last decade for Bayern or Germany is really really fun to check out. He knows exactly what he is doing and when he or a teammate has the ball in the offense he is also using that knowlege against the defending team with his space interpretation and runs. Its amazing what he does even without having the ball. He is activily disorganizing the opposites team defense or is destroying the build up for 90 minutes straight which keeps the other team on edge the whole time. Really smart player. Also he is constantly yelling to his mates were tu run and when to run. He is like a spider with 8 eyes

[@garthpenglase1613]

Muller is the least enjoyable player to watch in pro football. There are lucky players and there are unlucky players. Both he and Miroslav Klose were incredibly lucky in terms of the quality of the teams they were fortunate to be a part of and situations they found themselves in, particularly at World Cups. But you can't deny that Muller has the skill to be at this level, and his ability and capacity to organise, his match vision, and his insatiable desire to get the ball in the back of the net in top class. He has a winner's mentality and that's carried him through even though he doesn't have much else that is worth watching.

[@mamagician8963]

​@garthpenglase1613 Muller is still extremely technically talented, he is just so smart that he doesn't need to use it most of the time. Of course it's maybe less enjoyable for some to watch him but there is a reason he is one of the top scorers and assisters in europe in the past years

[@mamagician8963]

​@@garthpenglase1613And I would definitely not call him lucky. He provided so much for his team.

[@gadget00]

Amazing video; I have wondered the same for years now. Great observations

[@han3195]

nice vid, i ve had this question for so long

[@phil23_8]

Great content. I've noticed this in other sports like mma as well

[@ttuso_mokoena05]

great video..this added a huge amount of value to my understanding of the game

[@milans2477]

The chaos of gameplay is present even in lower level pro games. Go watch a League 2 game in the UK live, close to the pitch. I can bet you will never watch a game played at a faster pace than this. They have all the physicality of a pro player but the press is still rewarded because decision making and team coordination aren’t quite at the level needed to outplay that press. I couldn’t believe what I was seeing when I went to watch it. But yes, as others have mentioned, camera angles are a big factor too

[@RobertCroome]

This was your best ever video

[@teclynblur4263]

Amateur football in Africa is like another sport!

[@zebra7578]

Just physical gidigbo football 😂

[@michaelcho2095]

😂😂the one that makes you laugh

[@paulotieno7625]

Very explosive and the the most physically fit team, one that presses and runs most wins the league

[@ogbejieleosahoncyprian662]

​@@zebra7578 better gidigbo. Before u control like this, two players are behind you 😂😂

[@ZITZOUMAXSTIRNER]

Real

[@rudraneil]

Superb analysis!

[@oSoKxM4rIN3x]

This videos are really good Matt!! I recently picked up on what you said about watching a match focusing on a player and pausing before they make a decision so i can guess if they do what I would do. Bringing that to the field has helped me as a 6 a lot to better my game and even my teammates have noticed I have changed how I play.

[@Kish1610]

Very insightful, thank you!

[@Yankee-Football]

Really great explanation!

[@scottrobinson4611]

It looks slow on TV, but if you watch a game in-person, particularly if you're at the front, up close and at pitch-level, the game looks lightning fast. It's really hard to get a sense for the true scale of distance and speed when watching on a TV. Seeing players up close, how quickly they can accelerate and decelerate. How unbelievable hard, fast and far they can kick the ball, with laser precision too. It just doesn't translate well to the high fixed camera angles we get on TV.

[@PEACENOWARRR]

Happy to see the first American with a good understanding. Great video. Props from Europe 🎉

[@itz_yeastic]

well made video, good work

[@abdullahaanawaleh]

Great analysis well done. Tv angles are also a factor in making the pro level look slow.

[@yemiobua8358]

i am learning so much from this channel😁

[@TheAmazingHoho576]

Excellent explanation in the first part of the video. I was curious to see if you would correctly identify the factors, and you did! Well done.

[@Dad-yd1zi]

Thanks for making clear the first 1:13 was very informative

[@BasilRinColoradoSprings]

Saw you tonight at the Switchbacks game. Glad you got in. Not happy about the ref calling all those weird yellows but good game. Good luck to you guys.

[@Mzuvhukile]

Awesome breakdown

[@Abda-tl3ke]

great video I would like to see more videos about this

[@theacme3]

I had this discussion with one of my club mates a couple of days ago. I told him that it feels like the lower the league, the less time you have until you get pressured. He said that's impossible bla bla. I countered that, in high level play, if you just run at them like a bull, they will play around you (dribble or pass) and it will even hurt your team. So on high level, players don't pressure anyone instantly, but wait for the right moment. This gives some players much more time on the ball, because they don't even try to pressure him. On low level, as soon the ball is on your foot, someone runs at you like a freaking maniac.

[@omerlikos2549]

very important and nice video! 🎉

[@sniepha1933]

really informative and well structured video. Great job!

[@colbysmith5825]

great content

[@kchoi10]

What a great job! Sometimes I feel like other outlets (*cough the Athletic) make all this football way more complicated than it needs to be. Well done explaining the speed of play.

[@kinyuanjeri]

Very good explanation

[@j.productions6951]

Great explanation

[@blackexcellence267___]

position based technical marking is my favorite kind which the pros use because i feel like it also helps players to reserve sufficient energy and use it to maintain high intensity playing levels.

[@n_k_s_b]

great video!

[@DjDolHaus86]

In the amateur game, more effort often equals more reward. In the professional game it's all about making the fewest mistakes

[@GallantryX]

That's a really cool video. Well done.

[@NO-ge6ci]

I've always wondered why it looks easier than amateur level when obviously it isn't, great explanation!

[@edl4374]

This is to common in the amateur level. Even some colleges and upsl don’t understand this concept. They mindlessly press. That why sometimes you see teams with very little physical presence make athletic teams look like children. I feel this is more prevalent in America rather then central and South America who try and be more resourceful.

[@shantiescovedo4361]

As Matt says, they mindlessly press at the college level because it wins them games. I think many youth games are more fun to watch than college games because of that. The coach can win with crap soccer, but good youth coaches focus on development of good decision making instead.

[@kandekore]

Great insight. I’ll watch the game differently now

[@csm8245]

Sounds like in Basketball with long distance shots but in reverse. At a lower level, you quickly learn which player you have to defend at the 3 point line and when you can go for the rebound. In the top leagues, most players today will hit the 3 point shot undefended so the defender has to rush in every time.

[@emilstorgaard9642]

In soccer/football, the same applies. At the lower level, there might be 1-2 players on each team who can play well but at the pro level, everyone is good on the ball so you have to be aware of the entire opposing team

[@MasonDavis]

I watched an amateur team against a professional reserves team last night in the US Open Cup and the difference in simplicity (second point) is astounding. The reserves were happy to stay patient and wait for gaps and the amateurs were desperate to get in behind early. Additionally, the difference in the first touch was obvious. Great video!

[@cornevanzyl5880]

The same happens in squash. Pro players can move very fast but their ability to anticipate and control the ball makes them move very efficiently

[@venix_2306]

the reason why it looks slower for us is they attack when its necessary and they know how to use their stamina within a flowing game

[@rautenbruder1426]

Thanks for the video. I've often asked myself this question. I only play football as a hobby with a few students from university and you just don't have time to react. Pressing simply unsettles a lot of people, especially me as I still have a lot of problems because I need to get better at football as I haven't played for a long time and my self-confidence is at rock bottom

[@MC-nr9gv]

Nice video!

[@user-kx6tv2uo7k]

Superb video. All young players should take careful note of this, your game will improve immeasurably.

[@artyomarty391]

kinda reminds me of my work as a technician. The more experienced you become, the less movements you do

[@goat9295]

Cruyff said it himself, "playing football is simple, but playing simple football is the hardest thing there is." That's what separates the flashy freestylers of KZbin from the professionals.

[@jefftimmerberg193]

STL City, baby! Love watching that high press.

[@may.b.tomorrow]

Observing games directly from the stadium offers a completely different experience, players' speed looks waaay faster than on TV. I was amazed how fast they are and make decisions in milliseconds.

[@rebelgreen2398]

never heard of the pressing trigger. thanks, that makes a lot of sense how defenses play.

[@timmyfung01]

I always watch fights on tv, just as football, the fights look slow on tv. but then I got a front seat ticket for a local semi pro fight, watching it up close, the speed of fighters, the intensity and sounds of impact, everything is much different than tv. I can't imagine how a top class pro will move when you are next to them.

[@jamescyriac1771]

Ive wondered this for a long time even though i know average people like us cant fathom how technically able these pros are...great vid

[@ravidaskirtan9349]

wow i can totally relates to this even on online games, as i play in range between amateurs to semi-pro and from just casually with friends to pushing my ranks. i often wonder why in low to mid level games the enemy just seems to mindlessly rush every rounds and it just becomes uninteresting (more like reflexes battle rather than tactical) now i get why

[@ChrisGeisel5000]

Love this video! More people need to talk about how disruptive soccer falls apart at higher levels and is a disservice to youth players who need to develop.

[@DerekHarding]

It doesn’t look easy to me but the first reason so much fits my experience. In playing old man soccer if I run at someone it’s at least 50/50 that either I’ll win the ball or they’ll make a bad pass and give it away while any decent player would just run circles around me.

[@BenitoBang]

Great explenations, thanks for the video. I would suggeest you turn down the volume (or get rid entirely) of the background music. Keep up the good work.

[@Autonomy0]

A real education, as always.

[@spencerburt3426]

really enjoyed this style of video. Kind of reminded me of jxmyhighroller but for soccer instead of basketball. Insights from someone at your level are really cool.

[@siiuuuuu8828]

Good video.

[@Collin275]

This explains why playing pickup (or beer league soccer) can be so frustrating - I play with many very talented athletes who love to sprint at the ball and out-athlete the opponent, but it often doesn‘t result in overall success. While I was never good enough to play pro, I did play D1 collegiately for a spell, and thanks in part to me being smarter than I am athletic, I feel like I learned how to work the space/pressure better than those who relied on ball handling and lone-wolfing.

[@CityzenPatrick]

Watching a game in person up close vs on tv is 2 different worlds. Crazy how fast the game gets up close and the margon of error is insanley thin