Totaalvoetbal: Breaking down the Dutch Philosophy behind Total Soccer

Totaalvoetbal: Breaking down the Dutch Philosophy behind Total Soccer

The Totaalvoetbal philosophy guided Evren Asral, owner of Total Soccer, throughout his soccer playing years, during which he was named Team Captain of the TCNJ Division I soccer team.

But it did not stop there — Totaalvoetbal eventually went on to become the foundation of Evren’s growing business.

For his final college assignment, Evren was tasked to develop a successful business plan. Evren’s business plan was a soccer training facility geared towards instilling Totaalvoetbal in young, aspiring soccer stars.

The name of his business plan? Total Soccer.

What is Totaalvoetbal?

Totaalvoetbal is a Dutch word used to describe a tactical soccer theory that requires all outfield players on a team to be capable of filling any role on the field at any time, outside of goalkeeper. In other words, Totaalvoetbal means you must be versatile and learn to play unfamiliar positions — that is, if you want to win. It is a very physically-and-technically-demanding playing style, which is precisely why it’s a method that’s been proven successful by some of the best national teams throughout history.

Where does Totaalvoetbal come from?

Totaalvoetbal was made famous by the 1974 Netherlands national football team, led by their star player, Johan Cruyff. The Netherlands lost the match to tournament host West Germany, but their “Total Football” playing style dazzled crowds and opposing teams throughout the tournament.

However, the roots go deeper than that, with foundations for Totaalvoetbal being set as early as the 1930s by the Austrian “Wunderteam.” Many even credit the 1930 Austrian National team as being the first to play genuine Totaalvoetbal.

How to Learn Totaalvoetbal

Interested in learning more about Totaalvoetbal, the founding philosophy behind Total Soccer? It’s not easy to learn, but luckily, Total Soccer’s coaching staff is fluent in the Totaalvoetbal playing style. Evren Asral, owner of Total Soccer, is dedicated to instilling this philosophy into young athletes. That’s why he coaches soccer clinics near Montgomery County, Pennsylvania, year round.

Total Soccer’s summer soccer camps in the Montgomery County area have successfully taught Totaalvoetbal to young players for over a decade, so you better start learning soon if you want to keep up!

"TSA provided the foundation for my son & daughter to master the technical and tactical aspects of soccer. I could not be happier with their development at TSA. Excellent training staff! Highly recommend!!" -John C
"My 16 year old son has been training at Total Soccer since he was 5. It is hard to overstate the impact this has had on his confidence, self esteem, technical skills and love of the game. Total Soccer lives up to its name. It really is TOTAL training, from head to toes, in every technical and strategic aspect of soccer. The quality of the coaching is outstanding at every level - from the tiny Soccer Starters to the top level, college-bound high school seniors. Every class keeps all of the athletes fully engaged for the whole time and provides opportunities for individual, one-on-one and group drills and scrimmage. We are incredibly grateful to Total Soccer for providing our son with such a solid foundation of technical skills and love for the game. We recommend it without reservation." - Josh K
"I’ve been coming to Total Soccer since a young age, and am currently 13. My opinion is that it is very beneficial as a soccer player. All of the coaches are encouraging, and push you to get better. Of my time here, I’ve seen nothing but improvement in my foot skills and tactical awareness." - Cindy D
"Total Soccer has provided the foundation for my daughter to take her game to a whole new level. The trainers are able to provide 1:1 support to improve a player's skillset within a session, that would normally take a season to see results. We could not be any happier and always take advantage of their cost effective programs to keep my daughter sharp throughout the year. A++ in our book!" - Sharyn F