Before getting to the 4 phases of football I will do a short explanation of the figure below.

Figure 1. What is football?

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https://momentumlearning.instructure.com/eportfolios/450/Home/FULL_WATCHHD_2021_HD_Full_Episode_A_Quiet_Place_Part_II_Online_Free_Download
https://www.guest-articles.com/sports/teaching-tactical-concepts-in-football-during-the-formative-years-29-05-2021
https://reinabaraq.wordpress.com/2021/05/30/tactics-and-counter/
https://healthymboa.org/forum-healthymboa/topic/tendangan-cantik-quaresma-bawa-portugal-unggul-di-babak-pertama/#postid-4888

To simplify things football is a game that in the end is about winning. What is without questions is that there will be attacking, transitioning and defending (see figure 1.1 and 1.2)

In attack your team should try to open up space, use the space and score. In defense your team should try to close down space, disrupt the opponents attack and prevent goals (see figure 1.3).

The 4 Phases
To break down attacking and defending even further, let’s speak about the 4 phases:

1. Building-up
2. Moving and circulating the ball (in search of penetrating)
3. Penetrating the opponents
4. Finishing

Figure 2. The 4 phases

What you as a coach need to reflect about is how your team and the individuals acts in the phases. For example:

* How does your team build up from the goalkeeper?
* How do your opponents build up from the goalkeeper? How will you defend against this?
* What actions do you expect from your players in phase 3?

When attacking your team doesn’t have to go through or stay long in the different phases. Of course in transitioning it depends on where your team wins the ball. Otherwise phase 1, 3 and 4 (depending on how you define a shot from distance) are inevitable to score if starting from the goalkeeper. The 2nd phase isn´t a must to score.

Discussion point: Does your team have a 2nd phase? If not, is it a choice?

Later on I will get more into depth in the 4 phases and also connect them to the different styles of coaching.

Summary
Football is about winning. In all games there will be attacking, defending and transitioning. There are 4 phases in both attacking and defending. You as a coach need to choose how you want to handle the 4 phases.

Andreas Engelmark