Mar 10 • 💬 General
Mastering Football Through Subtraction: Less is More
Picasso once said:
"It took me four years to paint like Raphael, but a lifetime to paint like a child."
The same applies to football.
We spend years learning drills, mastering techniques, adding more skills to our game—only to realise that true mastery comes from removing the unnecessary and focusing on what truly matters.
The best players don’t do more.They simplify.
Think about Messi. His game is effortless. Every touch, every movement, every decision is refined to its purest form. No wasted steps, no extra touches—just precision.
How to Apply This to Your Game
- The Chisel, Not the Clay—You don’t need to add more skills—you need to refine the ones you have.
- What is your natural strength?
- What unnecessary movements slow you down?
- What habits hold you back?
- The Essential Compass—Football IQ is about knowing what not to do.
- Are you overcomplicating your play?
- Are you forcing skills that don’t fit your style?
- Are you thinking too much instead of reacting naturally?
- The Art of Removal—Great players don’t need to be flashy. They are effective.
- One-touch when possible.
- Direct passes instead of unnecessary dribbles.
- Movement off the ball instead of chasing it.
- The Core Narrative—Your game is your story.
- What defines your playing style?
- What moments shaped you as a player?
- What’s your biggest strength on the pitch?
When you remove distractions, bad habits, and over-complication, your true football identity emerges.
What is one thing that you are currently doing but know you need to reduce or eliminate completely?
STAY HARD!!!
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Mastering Football Through Subtraction: Less is More
