{"id":5338,"date":"2023-11-06T16:45:07","date_gmt":"2023-11-06T16:45:07","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/ifuturecoaching.com\/?p=5338"},"modified":"2023-11-08T19:00:37","modified_gmt":"2023-11-08T19:00:37","slug":"the-false-nine-a-strategic-evolution-in-modern-football","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/ifuturecoaching.com\/the-false-nine-a-strategic-evolution-in-modern-football\/","title":{"rendered":"The False Nine: A Strategic Evolution in Modern Football"},"content":{"rendered":"\t\t<div data-elementor-type=\"wp-post\" data-elementor-id=\"5338\" class=\"elementor elementor-5338\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<section class=\"elementor-section elementor-top-section elementor-element elementor-element-cf0881a elementor-section-boxed elementor-section-height-default elementor-section-height-default\" data-id=\"cf0881a\" data-element_type=\"section\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-container elementor-column-gap-default\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-column elementor-col-100 elementor-top-column elementor-element elementor-element-380ace1\" data-id=\"380ace1\" data-element_type=\"column\">\n\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-wrap elementor-element-populated\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-29c8e02 elementor-widget elementor-widget-heading\" data-id=\"29c8e02\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"heading.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t<style>\/*! elementor - v3.11.5 - 14-03-2023 *\/\n.elementor-heading-title{padding:0;margin:0;line-height:1}.elementor-widget-heading .elementor-heading-title[class*=elementor-size-]>a{color:inherit;font-size:inherit;line-height:inherit}.elementor-widget-heading .elementor-heading-title.elementor-size-small{font-size:15px}.elementor-widget-heading .elementor-heading-title.elementor-size-medium{font-size:19px}.elementor-widget-heading .elementor-heading-title.elementor-size-large{font-size:29px}.elementor-widget-heading .elementor-heading-title.elementor-size-xl{font-size:39px}.elementor-widget-heading .elementor-heading-title.elementor-size-xxl{font-size:59px}<\/style><h2 class=\"elementor-heading-title elementor-size-large\">The False Nine: A Strategic Evolution in Modern Football<\/h2>\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/section>\n\t\t\t\t<section class=\"elementor-section elementor-top-section elementor-element elementor-element-097a93a elementor-section-boxed elementor-section-height-default elementor-section-height-default\" data-id=\"097a93a\" data-element_type=\"section\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-container elementor-column-gap-default\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-column elementor-col-16 elementor-top-column elementor-element elementor-element-31a4e55\" data-id=\"31a4e55\" data-element_type=\"column\">\n\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-wrap\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-column elementor-col-66 elementor-top-column elementor-element elementor-element-754e52a\" data-id=\"754e52a\" data-element_type=\"column\">\n\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-wrap elementor-element-populated\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-ec9195c elementor-widget elementor-widget-text-editor\" data-id=\"ec9195c\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"text-editor.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t<style>\/*! elementor - v3.11.5 - 14-03-2023 *\/\n.elementor-widget-text-editor.elementor-drop-cap-view-stacked .elementor-drop-cap{background-color:#818a91;color:#fff}.elementor-widget-text-editor.elementor-drop-cap-view-framed .elementor-drop-cap{color:#818a91;border:3px solid;background-color:transparent}.elementor-widget-text-editor:not(.elementor-drop-cap-view-default) .elementor-drop-cap{margin-top:8px}.elementor-widget-text-editor:not(.elementor-drop-cap-view-default) .elementor-drop-cap-letter{width:1em;height:1em}.elementor-widget-text-editor .elementor-drop-cap{float:left;text-align:center;line-height:1;font-size:50px}.elementor-widget-text-editor .elementor-drop-cap-letter{display:inline-block}<\/style>\t\t\t\t<p class=\"MsoNormal\" style=\"margin: 0cm; font-size: medium; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; caret-color: #000000; color: #000000; font-style: normal;\"><span style=\"font-size: 13pt; font-family: AppleSystemUIFont;\">In the realm of football tactics, various innovative and strategic approaches continue to evolve, providing teams with new ways to gain a competitive edge. One such strategy is the employment of a &#8220;false nine&#8221; position within a team&#8217;s formation. Championed by visionary coaches and players alike, the false nine has revolutionised the traditional structure of football and enhanced the attacking prowess of many teams. This breakdown aims to explore the concept of the false nine, its evolution, its impact on the game, and some notable examples of its successful implementation.<\/span><\/p>\n<p style=\"margin: 0cm; font-size: medium; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; caret-color: #000000; color: #000000; font-style: normal;\">\n<\/p>\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-455acd2 elementor-widget elementor-widget-image\" data-id=\"455acd2\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"image.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t<style>\/*! elementor - v3.11.5 - 14-03-2023 *\/\n.elementor-widget-image{text-align:center}.elementor-widget-image a{display:inline-block}.elementor-widget-image a img[src$=\".svg\"]{width:48px}.elementor-widget-image img{vertical-align:middle;display:inline-block}<\/style>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"1024\" height=\"629\" src=\"https:\/\/ifuturecoaching.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/11\/\u200eBlogs-Images.\u200e001-1024x629.jpeg\" class=\"attachment-large size-large wp-image-5350\" alt=\"\" srcset=\"https:\/\/ifuturecoaching.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/11\/\u200eBlogs-Images.\u200e001-1024x629.jpeg 1024w, https:\/\/ifuturecoaching.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/11\/\u200eBlogs-Images.\u200e001-300x184.jpeg 300w, https:\/\/ifuturecoaching.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/11\/\u200eBlogs-Images.\u200e001-768x472.jpeg 768w, https:\/\/ifuturecoaching.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/11\/\u200eBlogs-Images.\u200e001-1536x944.jpeg 1536w, https:\/\/ifuturecoaching.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/11\/\u200eBlogs-Images.\u200e001-600x369.jpeg 600w, https:\/\/ifuturecoaching.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/11\/\u200eBlogs-Images.\u200e001-500x307.jpeg 500w, https:\/\/ifuturecoaching.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/11\/\u200eBlogs-Images.\u200e001.jpeg 1920w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px\" \/>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-102653a elementor-widget elementor-widget-heading\" data-id=\"102653a\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"heading.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t<h3 class=\"elementor-heading-title elementor-size-default\">Understanding the False Nine:<\/h3>\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-070bbd4 elementor-widget elementor-widget-text-editor\" data-id=\"070bbd4\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"text-editor.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<p class=\"MsoNormal\" style=\"margin: 0cm; font-size: medium; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; caret-color: #000000; color: #000000; font-style: normal;\"><span style=\"font-size: 13pt; font-family: AppleSystemUIFont;\">The term &#8220;false nine&#8221; refers to a tactical approach in football where a forward player operates as a deep-lying centre forward, dropping back into a playmaker&#8217;s role rather than primarily engaging in the attacking line. It involves sacrificing a traditional number nine striker, who typically leads the line, in favour of a more versatile and creative player who can orchestrate the attack from a deeper position.<\/span><\/p>\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-42cbc88 elementor-widget elementor-widget-heading\" data-id=\"42cbc88\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"heading.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t<h3 class=\"elementor-heading-title elementor-size-default\">Evolution and Development:<\/h3>\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-4073abc elementor-widget elementor-widget-text-editor\" data-id=\"4073abc\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"text-editor.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<p class=\"MsoNormal\" style=\"margin: 0cm; font-size: medium; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; caret-color: #000000; color: #000000; font-style: normal;\"><span style=\"font-size: 13pt; font-family: AppleSystemUIFont;\">The origins of the false nine can be traced back to the 1970s, wherein the legendary Dutch striker Johan Cruyff pioneered the concept during his time with Ajax Amsterdam and the Dutch national team. Cruyff&#8217;s ability to drop deep and roam the midfield allowed him to create mismatches for opposing defences, breaking traditional defensive lines and confusing markers.<\/span><\/p>\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-db2cbbe elementor-widget elementor-widget-heading\" data-id=\"db2cbbe\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"heading.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t<h3 class=\"elementor-heading-title elementor-size-default\">The Influence of Lionel Messi:<\/h3>\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<section class=\"elementor-section elementor-inner-section elementor-element elementor-element-e53d109 elementor-section-boxed elementor-section-height-default elementor-section-height-default\" data-id=\"e53d109\" data-element_type=\"section\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-container elementor-column-gap-default\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-column elementor-col-50 elementor-inner-column elementor-element elementor-element-835447d\" data-id=\"835447d\" data-element_type=\"column\">\n\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-wrap elementor-element-populated\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-73f4d75 elementor-widget elementor-widget-text-editor\" data-id=\"73f4d75\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"text-editor.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<p class=\"MsoNormal\" style=\"margin: 0cm; font-size: medium; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; caret-color: #000000; color: #000000; font-style: normal;\"><span style=\"font-size: 13pt; font-family: AppleSystemUIFont;\">The term &#8220;false nine&#8221; gained significant prominence in recent years due to the impact of arguably the greatest player of this generation \u2013 Lionel Messi. Under the guidance of coach Pep Guardiola, Messi showcased the true potential of the false nine position during his time at Barcelona. Guardiola&#8217;s tactical setup allowed Messi to drop deep into midfield areas, creating space and causing disarray among defenders.<\/span><\/p>\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-column elementor-col-50 elementor-inner-column elementor-element elementor-element-43bd25e\" data-id=\"43bd25e\" data-element_type=\"column\">\n\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-wrap elementor-element-populated\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-1df3490 elementor-widget elementor-widget-image\" data-id=\"1df3490\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"image.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"1024\" height=\"905\" src=\"https:\/\/ifuturecoaching.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/11\/14302711294_9b1c3e00c1_b.jpg\" class=\"attachment-large size-large wp-image-5346\" alt=\"\" srcset=\"https:\/\/ifuturecoaching.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/11\/14302711294_9b1c3e00c1_b.jpg 1024w, https:\/\/ifuturecoaching.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/11\/14302711294_9b1c3e00c1_b-300x265.jpg 300w, https:\/\/ifuturecoaching.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/11\/14302711294_9b1c3e00c1_b-768x679.jpg 768w, https:\/\/ifuturecoaching.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/11\/14302711294_9b1c3e00c1_b-600x530.jpg 600w, https:\/\/ifuturecoaching.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/11\/14302711294_9b1c3e00c1_b-500x442.jpg 500w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px\" \/>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/section>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-e97d4a7 elementor-widget elementor-widget-heading\" data-id=\"e97d4a7\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"heading.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t<h3 class=\"elementor-heading-title elementor-size-default\">Effects on the game:<\/h3>\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-c67b0e3 elementor-widget elementor-widget-text-editor\" data-id=\"c67b0e3\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"text-editor.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<p class=\"MsoNormal\" style=\"margin: 0cm; font-size: medium; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; caret-color: #000000; color: #000000; font-style: normal;\"><span style=\"font-size: 13pt; font-family: AppleSystemUIFont;\">The implementation of the false nine has introduced a dynamic attacking approach, granting teams newfound versatility and unpredictability in their play. By having a forward who can both create and score goals, teams can overload midfield areas, disrupt defensive structures, and exploit gaps in the opposition&#8217;s lines. Moreover, defences find it challenging to mark a false nine, as they often operate in unconventional spaces, leading to confusion and miscommunication among defenders.<\/span><\/p>\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-e8db43b elementor-widget elementor-widget-heading\" data-id=\"e8db43b\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"heading.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t<h3 class=\"elementor-heading-title elementor-size-default\">Notable Examples:<\/h3>\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-602d6fa elementor-widget elementor-widget-text-editor\" data-id=\"602d6fa\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"text-editor.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<p class=\"MsoNormal\" style=\"margin: 0cm; font-size: medium; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; caret-color: #000000; color: #000000; font-style: normal;\"><span style=\"font-size: 13pt; font-family: AppleSystemUIFont;\">Apart from Johan Cruyff and Lionel Messi, the false nine has become a popular tactic used by many modern-day coaches. Zlatan Ibrahimovic was widely deployed in this role during his time at Inter Milan, while Francisco Totti found success in a similar position under Luciano Spalletti at AS Roma. Robert Lewandowski at times operates as a false nine for Bayern Munich, showcasing his versatility and ability to influence the game beyond a traditional striker&#8217;s role.<\/span><\/p>\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-35f7eff elementor-widget elementor-widget-heading\" data-id=\"35f7eff\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"heading.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t<h3 class=\"elementor-heading-title elementor-size-default\">In conclusion...<\/h3>\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-490eb8a elementor-widget elementor-widget-text-editor\" data-id=\"490eb8a\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"text-editor.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<p class=\"MsoNormal\" style=\"margin: 0cm; font-size: medium; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; caret-color: #000000; color: #000000; font-style: normal;\"><span style=\"font-size: 13pt; font-family: AppleSystemUIFont;\">The emergence of the false nine position has revolutionised football tactics, challenged traditional line-ups and providing teams with a new dimension of attacking prowess. Its strategic implementation creates confusion for defenders, often resulting in unmarked spaces and advantageous situations for the attacking team. While the concept may have originated decades ago with Johan Cruyff, it was Lionel Messi who captivated the footballing world by exploiting the role to its fullest potential. As the game evolves, the false nine position will continue to play a significant role in shaping the outcome of matches, leaving opponents puzzled and coaches eager to harness its advantages.<\/span><\/p>\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-column elementor-col-16 elementor-top-column elementor-element elementor-element-0606197\" data-id=\"0606197\" data-element_type=\"column\">\n\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-wrap\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/section>\n\t\t\t\t<section class=\"elementor-section elementor-top-section elementor-element elementor-element-28daecb elementor-section-boxed elementor-section-height-default elementor-section-height-default\" data-id=\"28daecb\" data-element_type=\"section\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-container elementor-column-gap-default\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-column elementor-col-100 elementor-top-column elementor-element elementor-element-e7e107c\" data-id=\"e7e107c\" data-element_type=\"column\">\n\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-wrap elementor-element-populated\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-3829ef6 elementor-widget elementor-widget-text-editor\" data-id=\"3829ef6\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"text-editor.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<p style=\"text-align: right;\"><span style=\"color: #666699;\"><em>Author: S. Noakes<\/em><\/span><\/p>\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-62c9c2c elementor-widget elementor-widget-heading\" data-id=\"62c9c2c\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"heading.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t<h2 class=\"elementor-heading-title elementor-size-default\">Further Reading<\/h2>\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/section>\n\t\t\t\t<section class=\"elementor-section elementor-top-section elementor-element elementor-element-782bc6d elementor-section-boxed elementor-section-height-default elementor-section-height-default\" data-id=\"782bc6d\" data-element_type=\"section\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-container elementor-column-gap-default\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-column elementor-col-20 elementor-top-column elementor-element elementor-element-523b33d\" data-id=\"523b33d\" data-element_type=\"column\">\n\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-wrap elementor-element-populated\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-3183cc2 elementor-widget elementor-widget-image\" data-id=\"3183cc2\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"image.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<a href=\"https:\/\/ifuturecoaching.com\/position-specific-development\/\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"1024\" height=\"629\" src=\"https:\/\/ifuturecoaching.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/06\/Blogs-Images.033-1024x629.jpeg\" class=\"attachment-large size-large wp-image-5075\" alt=\"\" srcset=\"https:\/\/ifuturecoaching.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/06\/Blogs-Images.033-1024x629.jpeg 1024w, https:\/\/ifuturecoaching.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/06\/Blogs-Images.033-300x184.jpeg 300w, https:\/\/ifuturecoaching.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/06\/Blogs-Images.033-768x472.jpeg 768w, https:\/\/ifuturecoaching.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/06\/Blogs-Images.033-1536x944.jpeg 1536w, https:\/\/ifuturecoaching.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/06\/Blogs-Images.033-600x369.jpeg 600w, https:\/\/ifuturecoaching.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/06\/Blogs-Images.033-500x307.jpeg 500w, https:\/\/ifuturecoaching.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/06\/Blogs-Images.033.jpeg 1920w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px\" \/>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/a>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-column elementor-col-20 elementor-top-column elementor-element elementor-element-f895b4a\" data-id=\"f895b4a\" data-element_type=\"column\">\n\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-wrap elementor-element-populated\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-c126101 elementor-widget 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decoding=\"async\" width=\"1024\" height=\"629\" src=\"https:\/\/ifuturecoaching.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/05\/Blogs-Images.023-1024x629.jpeg\" class=\"attachment-large size-large wp-image-4248\" alt=\"\" srcset=\"https:\/\/ifuturecoaching.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/05\/Blogs-Images.023-1024x629.jpeg 1024w, https:\/\/ifuturecoaching.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/05\/Blogs-Images.023-300x184.jpeg 300w, https:\/\/ifuturecoaching.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/05\/Blogs-Images.023-768x472.jpeg 768w, https:\/\/ifuturecoaching.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/05\/Blogs-Images.023-1536x944.jpeg 1536w, https:\/\/ifuturecoaching.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/05\/Blogs-Images.023-600x369.jpeg 600w, https:\/\/ifuturecoaching.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/05\/Blogs-Images.023-500x307.jpeg 500w, https:\/\/ifuturecoaching.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/05\/Blogs-Images.023.jpeg 1920w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px\" \/>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/a>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-column elementor-col-20 elementor-top-column elementor-element elementor-element-4098aae\" data-id=\"4098aae\" data-element_type=\"column\">\n\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-wrap elementor-element-populated\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-0c321f1 elementor-widget elementor-widget-image\" data-id=\"0c321f1\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"image.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<a href=\"https:\/\/ifuturecoaching.com\/pre-match-nerves\/\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"1024\" height=\"629\" src=\"https:\/\/ifuturecoaching.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/03\/Coaches-Corner-Cover.011-1024x629.png\" class=\"attachment-large size-large wp-image-3023\" alt=\"\" srcset=\"https:\/\/ifuturecoaching.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/03\/Coaches-Corner-Cover.011-1024x629.png 1024w, https:\/\/ifuturecoaching.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/03\/Coaches-Corner-Cover.011-300x184.png 300w, https:\/\/ifuturecoaching.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/03\/Coaches-Corner-Cover.011-768x472.png 768w, https:\/\/ifuturecoaching.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/03\/Coaches-Corner-Cover.011-1536x944.png 1536w, https:\/\/ifuturecoaching.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/03\/Coaches-Corner-Cover.011-600x369.png 600w, https:\/\/ifuturecoaching.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/03\/Coaches-Corner-Cover.011-500x307.png 500w, https:\/\/ifuturecoaching.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/03\/Coaches-Corner-Cover.011.png 1920w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px\" \/>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/a>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-column elementor-col-20 elementor-top-column elementor-element elementor-element-298f29c\" data-id=\"298f29c\" data-element_type=\"column\">\n\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-wrap elementor-element-populated\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-ee7ef28 elementor-widget elementor-widget-image\" data-id=\"ee7ef28\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"image.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<a href=\"https:\/\/ifuturecoaching.com\/counterpressing\/\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"1024\" height=\"629\" src=\"https:\/\/ifuturecoaching.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/05\/Blogs-Images.008-1024x629.png\" class=\"attachment-large size-large wp-image-4250\" alt=\"\" srcset=\"https:\/\/ifuturecoaching.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/05\/Blogs-Images.008-1024x629.png 1024w, https:\/\/ifuturecoaching.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/05\/Blogs-Images.008-300x184.png 300w, https:\/\/ifuturecoaching.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/05\/Blogs-Images.008-768x472.png 768w, https:\/\/ifuturecoaching.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/05\/Blogs-Images.008-1536x944.png 1536w, https:\/\/ifuturecoaching.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/05\/Blogs-Images.008-600x369.png 600w, https:\/\/ifuturecoaching.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/05\/Blogs-Images.008-500x307.png 500w, https:\/\/ifuturecoaching.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/05\/Blogs-Images.008.png 1920w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px\" \/>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/a>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/section>\n\t\t\t\t<section class=\"elementor-section elementor-top-section elementor-element elementor-element-4d70bc7 elementor-section-boxed elementor-section-height-default elementor-section-height-default\" data-id=\"4d70bc7\" data-element_type=\"section\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-container elementor-column-gap-default\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-column elementor-col-20 elementor-top-column elementor-element elementor-element-3b19b7e\" data-id=\"3b19b7e\" data-element_type=\"column\">\n\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-wrap\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-column elementor-col-20 elementor-top-column elementor-element elementor-element-9fdb26f\" data-id=\"9fdb26f\" data-element_type=\"column\">\n\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-wrap\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-column elementor-col-20 elementor-top-column elementor-element elementor-element-6dba5b2\" data-id=\"6dba5b2\" data-element_type=\"column\">\n\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-wrap elementor-element-populated\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-9dce280 elementor-view-default elementor-widget elementor-widget-icon\" data-id=\"9dce280\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"icon.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-icon-wrapper\">\n\t\t\t<a class=\"elementor-icon\" href=\"http:\/\/ifuturecoaching.com\/coaches-corner\/\">\n\t\t\t<i aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"fas fa-arrow-alt-circle-left\"><\/i>\t\t\t<\/a>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-column elementor-col-20 elementor-top-column elementor-element elementor-element-8691568\" data-id=\"8691568\" data-element_type=\"column\">\n\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-wrap\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-column elementor-col-20 elementor-top-column elementor-element elementor-element-df39e9c\" data-id=\"df39e9c\" data-element_type=\"column\">\n\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-wrap\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/section>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>The False Nine: A Strategic Evolution in Modern Football In the realm of football tactics, various innovative and strategic approaches continue to evolve, providing teams with new ways to gain a competitive edge. One such strategy is the employment of a &#8220;false nine&#8221; position within a team&#8217;s formation. Championed by visionary coaches and players alike, &hellip;<\/p>\n<p class=\"read-more\"> <a class=\"\" href=\"https:\/\/ifuturecoaching.com\/the-false-nine-a-strategic-evolution-in-modern-football\/\"> <span class=\"screen-reader-text\">The False Nine: A Strategic Evolution in Modern Football<\/span> Read More &raquo;<\/a><\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":3,"featured_media":5350,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_uag_custom_page_level_css":"","_mi_skip_tracking":false,"_monsterinsights_sitenote_active":false,"_monsterinsights_sitenote_note":"","_monsterinsights_sitenote_category":0,"site-sidebar-layout":"default","site-content-layout":"default","ast-global-header-display":"","ast-main-header-display":"","ast-hfb-above-header-display":"","ast-hfb-below-header-display":"","ast-hfb-mobile-header-display":"","site-post-title":"","ast-breadcrumbs-content":"","ast-featured-img":"","footer-sml-layout":"","theme-transparent-header-meta":"default","adv-header-id-meta":"","stick-header-meta":"","header-above-stick-meta":"","header-main-stick-meta":"","header-below-stick-meta":"","footnotes":""},"categories":[97],"tags":[],"uagb_featured_image_src":{"full":["https:\/\/ifuturecoaching.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/11\/\u200eBlogs-Images.\u200e001.jpeg",1920,1180,false],"thumbnail":["https:\/\/ifuturecoaching.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/11\/\u200eBlogs-Images.\u200e001-150x150.jpeg",150,150,true],"medium":["https:\/\/ifuturecoaching.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/11\/\u200eBlogs-Images.\u200e001-300x184.jpeg",300,184,true],"medium_large":["https:\/\/ifuturecoaching.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/11\/\u200eBlogs-Images.\u200e001-768x472.jpeg",768,472,true],"large":["https:\/\/ifuturecoaching.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/11\/\u200eBlogs-Images.\u200e001-1024x629.jpeg",1024,629,true],"1536x1536":["https:\/\/ifuturecoaching.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/11\/\u200eBlogs-Images.\u200e001-1536x944.jpeg",1536,944,true],"2048x2048":["https:\/\/ifuturecoaching.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/11\/\u200eBlogs-Images.\u200e001.jpeg",1920,1180,false],"woocommerce_thumbnail":["https:\/\/ifuturecoaching.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/11\/\u200eBlogs-Images.\u200e001-300x300.jpeg",300,300,true],"woocommerce_single":["https:\/\/ifuturecoaching.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/11\/\u200eBlogs-Images.\u200e001-600x369.jpeg",600,369,true],"woocommerce_gallery_thumbnail":["https:\/\/ifuturecoaching.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/11\/\u200eBlogs-Images.\u200e001-100x100.jpeg",100,100,true],"quick_view_image_size":["https:\/\/ifuturecoaching.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/11\/\u200eBlogs-Images.\u200e001-500x307.jpeg",500,307,true]},"uagb_author_info":{"display_name":"Simon Noakes","author_link":"https:\/\/ifuturecoaching.com\/author\/simon-noakes\/"},"uagb_comment_info":0,"uagb_excerpt":"The False Nine: A Strategic Evolution in Modern Football In the realm of football tactics, various innovative and strategic approaches continue to evolve, providing teams with new ways to gain a competitive edge. One such strategy is the employment of a &#8220;false nine&#8221; position within a team&#8217;s formation. Championed by visionary coaches and players alike,&hellip;","_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/ifuturecoaching.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/5338"}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/ifuturecoaching.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/ifuturecoaching.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/ifuturecoaching.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/3"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/ifuturecoaching.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=5338"}],"version-history":[{"count":17,"href":"https:\/\/ifuturecoaching.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/5338\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":5373,"href":"https:\/\/ifuturecoaching.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/5338\/revisions\/5373"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/ifuturecoaching.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/5350"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/ifuturecoaching.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=5338"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/ifuturecoaching.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=5338"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/ifuturecoaching.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=5338"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}