STRUCTURAL SUPERIORITY: 32,041 TRIANGLES

STRUCTURAL SUPERIORITY: 32,041 TRIANGLES

STRUCTURAL SUPERIORITY: 32,041 TRIANGLES

Using only whole number gradients, there are 32,041 different triangles that can be formed using various combinations of angles. They are all not equally useful in the sport tactically, yet when you ask for detail from coaches or players, they will quickly tell you triangles and diamonds are the shapes to form.

But which ones...?

Not all of those 32k+ are equally useful. Some are completely unusable as a tactical tool, and amongst those that are, there are different levels of effectiveness depending on the task. For deception, the maximum is 60/60/60 where both options are equally available with no early warning to the opponent. For maximum stress on a single defender, 45/45/90 creates the most indefensible triangle. For a triangle created using a defender as one of the points, the maximum angle is again 45/45/90. 

  • For zonal passing attacks, the 60/60/60 is typically preferred with a single defender in the middle.
  • For sub-zonal passing/dribbling attacks, the pinnacle is the 45/45/90.

There are a lot of reasons for both of these and players must understand which key opens which door, or which tactical shape unlocks which defensive shape.

At APG, we teach structural superiority more than any organization I've come upon. The shapes, the variations, the effect on the opponent, the keys to diagnosing, the remedy's, the methodology for teaching, the visual cues, identifying the opponents question to be solved, etc etc etc.

Structural Superiority for us starts at 1v1. There is an optimal relationship of two players that puts the advantage in the hands of the attacker, or the hands of the defender. Understanding these relationship alone would solve so many problems that flow all the way up to the professional ranks. Many never learned these angles and continue to try low-probability attacks or defenses and then are baffled/lose confidence/remove from their arsenal a tool that could have made them more effective, when the reality was, the way they were attempting it was more likely to fail than it was to succeed (imagine swinging a hammer back end first at a nail). Not a comment on the tool but on its method of being applied. 

If a player never understands the primary structural relationship, then all progressive ones are already weakened by an inferior foundation.

For us at APG, there is a ton of detail that needs to be understood, but primarily for diagnosis. The player may but does not need to understand it to reap the rewards of doing it. 

There are simple concepts behind Structural Superiority:

  • Attack is maximized by deception. 
  • Deception is maximized by options.

So let's start there and work back. Pure attack is a vertical line to the objective. Pure deception is not away from the objective but 90 degrees left or right. (+). Many teams today over emphasize the attack and underprioritize the deception, hence very vertical attacks, but also many turnovers. Other teams are very deceptive but create little danger for the opponent in possessions full of lateral movements. At APG, we teach the perfect balance of attack and deception is the 45 degree angle (half attack/half deception). This is not entirely unusual however as many football philosophies teach the diagonal balls as a priority. 

Where APG begins to set itself apart, however, is in the awareness of maximized shapes and angles, and how deviations can be used to achieve an objective. 

The maximum attacking orientation is "square up", or "putting the player on the 12" or "locking them in". These phrases are all saying the same thing, but what they mean is that the attacking player is oriented towards the center of mass of the targeted defender. 

This orientation maximizes deception as it is equally likely the attacker will attempt to beat the player to the left or the right. This prevents the defense from any pro-active action and they must react or run the risk of guessing (proactively allowing the attack to play against their guess). By locking the defender in in a direct line, it makes it impossible the defender to defend both 45 degree pathways left and right of himself. This creates the space for the angles mentioned. Even if you choose the use 30 degree options (zonal passing), they will maximize the possibility. 

This all comes down to OODA Loop Analysis which is a combative analysis framework developed by fighter pilot Col Boyd of the USAF. When 2 competing entities confront each other, they will both begin going through their OODA Loops. Observe Orient Decide & Act. Simplified, See-Think-Act. This primarily how all competitors must compete. 

I win by getting through my process faster then you get through yours. Training speeds up my process as it does yours...but there are 2 ways for me to win this battle. I can just out-train you and be faster than you and a pure comparison. I can also slow your process down (to where it is slower than mine). Structural Superiority, presenting multiple options with equal access and equal likelihood of being played, disrupts your visual triggers and delays your decision (or you guess). If I can do this I will win the OODA Loop battle with you and will significantly increase my repeated chance of victory. 

At APG, we really like competing (and eventually winning), so we do both. 

  • We maximize our latent OODA Loop speed by Training.
  • We minimize yours latent OODA Loop speed through Structural Superiority.

This is a surface explanation of the details of OODA Loop incorporation into football that we contain in our philosophy, "Total Core Football". 

If you would like to learn how to incorporate Total Core Football into your tools as a coach or player, we regularly run classes and workshops (both virtual and in-person) for players and coaches. 

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At APG, we pride ourselves on bringing multiple strategic partners together, so that you have access to world-class solutions in multiple areas. 

Let us know your question, and a representative will follow up with you within 24 hours.

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