The Dutch tactical system from the 70s where any outfield player can play any role.
Definition: The Dutch tactical system from the 70s where any outfield player can play any role.
Total Football was invented by Rinus Michels at Ajax and the Netherlands national team in the 1970s. Every outfield player could attack, defend, or play midfield. When the right-back went forward, the right-midfielder dropped back. Constant fluidity. Johan Cruyff was the conceptual leader. The Dutch reached the 1974 and 1978 World Cup finals (lost both). Tiki-taka is Total Football's grandchild.