total football

noun

1. an attacking style of play, popularized by the Dutch national team of the 1970s, in which there are no fixed positions and every outfield player can join in the attack

Example Sentences

Indeed, at Italia 90, Colombia's first World Cup in 28 years - with Maturana also the national team boss and keen to employ a system inspired by the Netherlands' Total Football - Higuita's heroics landed on a global stage.

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If anything, Wiegman's side strive for 'total football' - a Dutch identity from the Johan Cruyff era - a dynamic and creative playing style, which relies on the versatility of players.

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"It was more of a Pep philosophy in terms of total football even at that level," said Tardif, referring to Manchester City boss Pep Guardiola.

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The former midfielder was part of the Ajax and Netherlands teams credited with creating "total football" in the 1970s.

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The Dutch played Total Football, but did not win the World Cup.

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