Functional analysis of invasion games (Football): importance of the technical-tactical subsystem

This article examines different categorizations of skills (defined here as a combination of technical and tactical skills) that are included in invasion games, specifically soccer. Several classifications have been compiled and analysed. From this compilation, a comprehensive classification of the skills performed by players in specific player roles, such as the player with the ball, the defender, or an attacker without the ball, was carried out. The intent of this classification system is to provide practical knowledge, thus allowing teachers and coaches a means by which to clarify tactical principles (Bayer, 1992) related to the different technical-tactical skills used in invasion games. In addition this study can the useful to scholar community in the process of designing new technical and tactical assessment instruments.