Elorm Attipoe: Understanding the ‘Tiki-Taka of Jericho’

Joshua 6:1–27, the walls of Jericho fell after the Israelites marched around the city walls once a day for six days, seven times on the seventh day, with the priests blowing their horns daily and the people shouting on the last day.

Tiki-taka  is a style of play in football characterized by short passing and movement, working the ball through various channels, and maintaining possession. The style is primarily associated with the Spain national team (Wikipedia).

The Spanish national teams have won trophies with this system of play. Currently one of the best football clubs in the world (Manchester City Football Club) uses this system of play.

There are some battles in life that can be won using what I call, the Israelites Tiki-taka system.

The Israelites, just like the Tiki-taka system relies on patience. They matched for six days and were very focused, the same as the Tiki-taka, possessing the ball patiently for the opportune time to strike. To win some battles in life.

You need to approach challenges and problems patiently with a well composed mind set. Strike when everyone least expects. The players need to develop some skills in order to be able to deploy the Tiki Taka system.

To maintain possession of the ball, players need to master the skill of passing the ball to a team mate and receiving the ball from a team mate. Passing and receiving is akin to talking and listening.

To make a great impact in life, one needs to develop the attribute of being a good listener and knowing when and how to talk. As the bible says: be fast in listening but slow in talking. You also need to be physically well conditioned to be able to play the TikiTaka system.

Since it requires and lot of running and movements. The Israelites were also well conditioned. They matched around the wall for days. To succeed in life you need to be physically fit. Watch what you take into your body and take good care of your body.

There is a lot of movement with and without the ball with this system. The Israelites marched for days without seeing the immediate results. Learn to be focused and consistent. Especially when no one is seeing your efforts. Keep on moving even if you don’t have the ball, keep on matching even if the wall is not falling.

Tiki Taka requires total team effort not a one man show. There can be over 30 passes amongst team mates before a goal in scored.

The Israelites also marched and shouted together, it was not about a few people.  You have to learn how to be a team player. No matter how skillful you are, you need good people around you to win.The ultimate aim of this system is to win games.

The Players do not just possess the ball but maintain possession to win. The Israelites did not just march and shout, they had an expected result in mind. Do not be carried away by little successes .Always keep your eyes on the bigger prize regardless.

TRUST THE PROCESS, PRESS ON REGARDLESS

 

 The writer, Elorm Attipoe is a CAF Coach, GFA certified Goalkeeper Coach . You can email him via [email protected]

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