2005-06 Review (II): What is Linkage?
Player linkage/partnership has always been a confusing topic in WCCF.
A number of managers think that better linkages lead to better pass distributing and receiving, but often find exceptions to this during games.
I have read an experienced player's blog entry claiming that a team's linkages simply refer to the attacking mode and the passing routes/preferences of the team. While this definition does appropriately incorporate a team-oriented analysis, it still does not present the whole picture.
So, what is linkage?!
My definition of linkage is actually very simple, probably too simple.
LINKAGE = COMMUNICATION
Some of you are probably more confused than ever right now. How do I tell when my players are communicating? Well, this is exactly where the KEY PLAYER SYSTEM comes in.
A target man would call for balls to be played to him, and calls for teammates to come up for support.
This is communication.
A playmaker would call for teammates to make forward runs when holding the ball.
This is communication.
A line leader would call for teammates to line up properly and run together for making offsides.
This is communication.
So, now that we understand LINKAGE = COMMUNICATION, what does that imply about how linkages work in WCCF?
(Here I assume you understand the 5-level 12-group linkage system, and how WCCF linkages are automatically increased to a "wall" level where only friendly-game upgrades will get the linkage improved)
The following are my personal observations between friendly-game linkage upgrades:
1. Linkage upgrades tend not to occur between key men of the same types.
Players competing for the same role in the team are often found difficult to coexist. This effect is probably more visible between two Target Men, two Playmakers or two Line Leaders.
2. Linkage upgrades tend not to occur between a covering DF and a line leader.
This is similar to point #1, in that a covering DF seems to be in conflict to a line leader. A covering DF mostly exist in a stopper-sweeper type defence while a line leader prefers a line-defence formation.
3. Linkage upgrades tend to occur between key men types who cooperate with each other.
Personally I believe that the following key-man combos seem to cooperate with each other more frequently:
ANCHORMAN - COVERING DF
(both filling in spaces of the formation)
COVERING DF - MARKING DF
(especially in a stopper-sweeper defence)
MARKING DF - LINE LEADER
(as a centerback combo in a line defence)
LINE LEADER - OFFENSIVE GK
(e.g. the GK may command for a higher line)
In essence, linkage upgrades tend to occur between partnerships who cooperate frequently. For example, a target man would cooperate frequently with his FW partners and runners from MF.
Am I starting to sound like an advocate of the Enneagram?! *_^ Is it just a mere coincidence that there are 9 types of key men I have listed?! Anyway, I sincerely hope this article gives you an added perspective of WCCF as a management game.
A number of managers think that better linkages lead to better pass distributing and receiving, but often find exceptions to this during games.
I have read an experienced player's blog entry claiming that a team's linkages simply refer to the attacking mode and the passing routes/preferences of the team. While this definition does appropriately incorporate a team-oriented analysis, it still does not present the whole picture.
So, what is linkage?!
My definition of linkage is actually very simple, probably too simple.
LINKAGE = COMMUNICATION
Some of you are probably more confused than ever right now. How do I tell when my players are communicating? Well, this is exactly where the KEY PLAYER SYSTEM comes in.
A target man would call for balls to be played to him, and calls for teammates to come up for support.
This is communication.
A playmaker would call for teammates to make forward runs when holding the ball.
This is communication.
A line leader would call for teammates to line up properly and run together for making offsides.
This is communication.
So, now that we understand LINKAGE = COMMUNICATION, what does that imply about how linkages work in WCCF?
(Here I assume you understand the 5-level 12-group linkage system, and how WCCF linkages are automatically increased to a "wall" level where only friendly-game upgrades will get the linkage improved)
The following are my personal observations between friendly-game linkage upgrades:
1. Linkage upgrades tend not to occur between key men of the same types.
Players competing for the same role in the team are often found difficult to coexist. This effect is probably more visible between two Target Men, two Playmakers or two Line Leaders.
2. Linkage upgrades tend not to occur between a covering DF and a line leader.
This is similar to point #1, in that a covering DF seems to be in conflict to a line leader. A covering DF mostly exist in a stopper-sweeper type defence while a line leader prefers a line-defence formation.
3. Linkage upgrades tend to occur between key men types who cooperate with each other.
Personally I believe that the following key-man combos seem to cooperate with each other more frequently:
ANCHORMAN - COVERING DF
(both filling in spaces of the formation)
COVERING DF - MARKING DF
(especially in a stopper-sweeper defence)
MARKING DF - LINE LEADER
(as a centerback combo in a line defence)
LINE LEADER - OFFENSIVE GK
(e.g. the GK may command for a higher line)
In essence, linkage upgrades tend to occur between partnerships who cooperate frequently. For example, a target man would cooperate frequently with his FW partners and runners from MF.
Am I starting to sound like an advocate of the Enneagram?! *_^ Is it just a mere coincidence that there are 9 types of key men I have listed?! Anyway, I sincerely hope this article gives you an added perspective of WCCF as a management game.
Labels: 05-06 Review
posted by Mr. P at
4:28 PM
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