THE PLAYBOOK
Soccer / Football · Tactical Reference

Every Role.Every Play.

An interactive breakdown of positions, formations, attacking patterns and set pieces — each mapped to what the data says about how goals actually get scored.

25–30%of goals from set pieces
0.76xG on a penalty
~22%fast-break shot conversion
01

Positions

Tap a spot on the pitch to see the role, the abilities that matter most, and the output an elite player at that position is expected to produce. Ranges are typical top-flight figures, not a single dataset.

▲ attacking · tap a position
02

Formations

The shape is a lens that focuses your players' strengths — it doesn't win games on its own. The 4-2-3-1 is now the most-used top-flight system; possession sides lean 4-3-3, counter-punchers keep the 4-4-2. Toggle shows how a shape shifts between having the ball and defending.

03

Plays & Patterns

The recurring moves that decide games, split into what you do with the ball and without it. Pick one to see the movement drawn out, its difficulty, how well it works, and a coaching video. In every diagram, amber is the team running the play; outlined dots are the opponents.

Team on the play Opponent Pass Run / press Ball / carry
04

Set Pieces

Dead balls are the most coachable goals in the game and their share is rising. Corners deliver most set-piece goals; the delivery type matters enormously — inswingers convert far better than outswingers.

RoutineWhat it isConversionNotes
05

Shot Value (xG)

Expected goals rates the chance, not the finish: the share of the time an average player scores from that spot and situation. Distance, angle, body part and how the ball arrived drive everything. Bars scale to a penalty.

0.00.40.8 xG
06

Counters

Every shape has a soft spot. Pick a formation to see, on the field, how to hurt it — and the tools you'd reach for to do it. Amber is your team; outlined dots are the opponent.

Your team Opponent Pass Run / press
07

The Verdict

Strip away the philosophy and the numbers point the same direction every time.