If you use the term "tippy-tappy"...

[JCL]

We are NOT playing Total Football and neither are Spain or Barcelona. We are playing a possession game but that in itself does not make it Total Football.

This.

 

[JCL]

Alas, it has clearly been a fallow year..

No it hasn't and that's a damn funny post!

 

[Garage_Doors]

Wibble.

That has to be a word ! if it not then thats disgraceful.

I enjoy a good wibble.

 

[Danny-Boy]

It's what jellies do if you shake them. "Wibble-Wobble". I heard that said in the 1950's.

 

[JCL]

If weebles can wobble, then jellies can wibble… must be a real word - sure Rowan Atkinson has said wibble more than once!

 

[seagullmouse]

I say tippy-tappy, you know what I mean by it so thats good enough for me

tippy-tappy describes it nicely I think.

 

[grummitts gloves]

This.

What is your definition of total football? (Genuinely interested, not being sarcy)

 

[Goldstone Rapper]

What is your definition of total football? (Genuinely interested, not being sarcy)

Total Football is a way of playing where there no outfield player is fixed in a nominal position. David Winner's 'Brilliant Orange' book captures much of the philosophical underpinnings in it, and its colour, beauty, arrogance and Dutchness. Wikipedia has a fine example of what total football could look like in a 1970s Ajax or Netherlands team: "Although Cruyff was fielded as centre forward, he wandered all over the pitch, popping up wherever he could do most damage to the opposing team. This resulted in a need for a dynamic system like Total Football, Cruyff's teammates adapted themselves flexibly around his movements, regularly switching positions so that the tactical roles in the team were always filled."

So while all players may have preferences or areas where they are particularly strong, it requires a high level of flexibility and adaptability where every outfield player is comfortable in every other outfield position.

Strangely, I read in a media report that the Albion defence and midfield tried to play a form of Total Football at the start of the 1982/83 season as Mike Bailey briefly tried to bring about a more attractive style of play, but while pretty, it neither strengthened the defence nor helped the attack. I've no idea how long the experiment lasted.

 

[Tom Hark Preston Park]

It's Tippy Tappy.

Tiki Taka sounds too much like a very small mint with just 1 calorie. Or an otter.

It's Tapa Talky.

 

[John Bumlick]

i saw a pre-op transsexual drop a tab of acid once. she was a trippy trappy....

 

[Stinky Pete]

I don't use drugs, but having just read this whole thread i intend on getting on the class A's within the next hour.

 

[Twinkle Toes]

Wolves are even trying the own derivation of TT. It's known as the Micky Macky...

 

[Barrel of Fun]

Loving the tippy tappy now the natural born hoofers are out of the picture

Wasn't the cognoscenti an original critic of our patient tippy tappy approach?

 

[Tom Hark Preston Park]

Wasn't the cognoscenti an original critic of our patient tippy tappy approach?

Yup, but then again our original tippy tappy approach was implemented by Elphick, El-Abd and Ankergren. The only people who hated it more than the cognoscenti were Elphick, El-Abd and Ankergren.

 

[Don Quixote]

If the majority says it then it is correct. Everyone has an opinion on language even when they know nothing about linguistics.