Modern Soccer Coach Podcast Football Theory and Coaching Verticality with Ilya Orlov
Aug 14, 2025
Ilya Orlov, Director of Football and Head Coach at Alliance United and University of Toronto, shares his innovative approach to football grounded in Football Theory. He discusses the need for aggressive strategies in youth development, highlighting adaptability in formations like 4-3-3. Ilya emphasizes the importance of scoring over possession, challenges conventional coaching mindsets, and advocates for flexible tactics. He also critiques traditional training methods, calling for a balance of theory and practice to enhance player development in today’s game.
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Purpose-First Football
- The purpose of football is to score one more goal than the opponent and all tactics must serve that aim.
- Direct forward play is the highest-priority option to achieve that when available.
Development Homogeneity Harms Adaptability
- Widespread youth development around one style (e.g., 4-3-3) makes players brittle against different systems.
- Players struggle when senior opponents present different shapes like two strikers one-on-one.
Prioritise Forward Options
- Get the ball to the player closest to goal with the fewest defenders between ball and goal.
- Playing forward is best, sideways is second, backwards is next, and losing the ball is worst.