Most players judge performance by what they do when they have the ball. Smart players understand the game is often decided by what happens when you DON’T have it. Off-ball movement is one of the biggest signs of real football awareness. When you move correctly without the ball, you help your team by: ✔ Creating passing angles ✔ Pulling defenders out of position ✔ Opening space for teammates ✔ Supporting attacks before they even start ✔ Staying connected to your team shape Many players stand and watch after passing. High IQ players move immediately to give a new option or create space for someone else. 🔥 Honest Question: When you pass the ball, what do you usually do next? 1️⃣ Stay and watch play 2️⃣ Move to support the ball 3️⃣ Make a forward run 4️⃣ Move to create space for teammates Comment the number + your position on the field.

🧠 What This Picture Is Teaching (Smart Positioning) This diagram shows how a smart player positions himself to gain time, space, and better options. 🔴 Red circles = Defenders ⚪ White circles = Teammates (your team) 🎯 Key Ideas in the Picture 1️⃣ Intelligent Positioning (Center player) The highlighted white player is not standing randomly. He is: Slightly away from defenders Positioned to see multiple options Ready to receive on the half-turn 👉 Smart players move before the pass, not after. 2️⃣ Scanning → Time & Angle (Right side) The arrows show that when the player scans early: He knows where space is He receives the ball at the correct angle He can play forward, not sideways or backward 👉 Position + scan = more time on the ball. 3️⃣ Tactical Triangles (Bottom right) The triangle shows support angles: One option short One option wide One option forward 👉 Good positioning always creates at least 2 passing options. If you have only 1 option → you are easy to press. 4️⃣ Space Is Created, Not Found The diagram shows space opening because of movement, not luck. Smart players: Move between lines Adjust 2–3 steps Stay visible to the ball carrier 🧠 Simple Rule From This Picture Don’t stand where the ball is. Stand where the next action will be.

As a player, your hips can make the difference between a goal or a near miss, a beautiful pass or a stump, a lovely through ball toward goal or a pass cut off by a defender, etc. When your hips are closed, you have no idea how the opposition is marking you(excluding scanning), where your teammates are, what is the nearest pressure, etc. However, a tiny detail of keeping your hips open can make a huge difference. Keeping your hips open can help you see the whole field around you as you take in vital information. If you receive the ball, all you need is one touch to drive forward and if a defender is marking you, all you need to do is scan over your shoulder, see how he is positioned, and body feint the defender before you have space to pass, shoot, dribble, etc. So in summary, the small change of opening up your hips can make a huge difference on the game.