A-League clubs have become accustomed to signing foreign playmakers over the years. We have had the likes of Thomas Broich, Milos Ninkovic and Diego Castro embrace the league. But there is a certain trait that makes some of these foreign players stand out.
I discovered this trait in a Sam Lee article on The Athletic that showed how Pep Guardiola needs this trait in one of his two advanced midfielders in his classic 4-3-3.
This trait is called ‘la pausa’.
Tactical analysis site The Mastermind describes pausa as “a skill whereby players in possession pause on the ball, drawing in defenders and enticing them to move toward the ball”.
La pausa is the art of putting your foot on the ball and simply giving your team a moment of control. It’s allowing your team to relax and find their positions before going again.
Milos Ninkovic is an example of an A-League player who has shown evidence of using la pausa.
In recent years for Sydney FC he has often received the ball with his back to the goal and simply put his foot on it while taking a few touches backwards.
This allows his team to move into position, to take a breather and to just feel a moment of control when everyone can just relax.
He also shows la pausa in attacking moves. Instead of releasing the ball as soon as he sees a pass, he waits, draws defenders in and allows his teammate more space.
In this move Ninkovic receives a sideways pass from Alexander Baumjohann and spots an overlapping run from Joel King. Ninkovic then spots how deep the defensive line is and realises that King can continue his run for a few more seconds without being offside.
Ninkovic advances while faking a pass to King, drawing in Melbourne Victory right-back Storm Roux and Anthony Lesiotis. He then plays a pass to King, who now has time to play the ball into the middle.
His low cross meets the feet of Adam Le Fondre, who drags the ball narrowly wide with a first time shot.
Here, Milos Ninkovic also receives a square ball from Kosta Barbarouses. Instead of shooting first time he decides to cut back. Because he’s in such an obvious goalscoring position, Storm Roux slides along the ground, hoping to block the shot.
Ninkovic cuts back onto his right foot, which opens up the whole goal. Lawrence Thomas can only stand and watch as Ninkovic curls the ball just inside the far post.
This is another great example of how Ninkovic uses his composure and awareness to his advantage.
La pausa is a subjective thing. While some may agree that a certain move uses la pausa, others won’t.
Countless A-League moves have used some version of la pausa, but the player who stands out most with this Milos Ninkovic.
However, a playmaker isn’t worse if they don’t possess the art of la pausa; they will simply have a different playing style. For example, Riley McGree has been outstanding this season even without showing consistent glimpses of la pausa.
La pausa is something people need to become aware of in Australia. Ot is currently the mark of a more European midfielder, but we can change that. By introducing la pausa into Australia, coaches can attempt to teach Australian players a deeper understanding of the game and teach midfielders the art of la pausa.
Jack George
Roar Guru
I agree. Overcommitting is a big problem in the A-League and the likes of Milos Ninkovic know how to exploit that space that they make extremely well.
Nick Symonds
Guest
Another thing that might help would be if A-League comentators were actually football comentators first and foremost and not blow ins from other codes.
RbbAnonymous
Roar Rookie
This was a good article and it illustrates the subtle nuances of football. It is something that Australian footballers are still sometimes naive about. It is something that could easily be employed in the A-league because something I have noticed quite regularly is how many times defenders over commit and over play their man.
Stuart Thomas
Expert
He is the past player I think of most. A wonderful player in a generally poor team. His skill was never given the credit it deserved with extensive international representation. Freakish at times and quite un-English in so many way. He played like a Brazilian.
Roberto Bettega
Roar Rookie
While we're at it, let us create a special term for the big throw in, maybe call it: un tiro grandissimo Whenever it happened, the commentators would have to say: oh look (hopefully with perfect pronunciation, a nicely trilled r and a bit of a linger on the double esses), yes, I think he's done it, it is in fact: un tiro grrandissssimo!
Nick Symonds
Guest
It could also be that there are different terms for it and it's a bit subjective about what is and isn't a pausa. But having a consistent term and using it more often might help whether that's a pausa or in English, pausing with the ball.
NoMates
Guest
Seriously what's wrong with long ball? Roar have been doing it all season and look where they are on the ladder.
Jack George
Roar Guru
Thanks, Stuart. I agree, and footballers not keeping their heads up when receiving a pass is frustrating and something I may look at in the future for the A-League. I never had the experience of watching Le Tissier play live but from stories and YouTube videos, it seemed that he was one of if not the best when it came to pausa.
Stuart Thomas
Expert
Nicely expressed Jack. I always use the word poise with players, which is effectively what you are referring to here. For me, the best footballers are those with the ability to keep their chin up, see space and hold possession until an avenue to take advantage of both those elements arises. My favourite exponent of it was Matthew Le Tissier, the former Southampton champ. Time stood still!
Jack George
Roar Guru
I agree. There are two great players there and I really enjoy watching them both on the ball, but they struggle considerably with their decision making. La pausa is interesting because it's not something that can be measured within statistics, so it's no wonder that Elvis Kamosba is underperforming his XG and XA. I like the story about the penalty and red card as well!
Jack George
Roar Guru
I especially think it's something that the Fox analysts should explore deeper. They rarely go deep into the tactics of the game, and pointing out something like pausa allows viewers to then look out for it, therefore enhancing the experience of watching a game.
Jack George
Roar Guru
Thanks, Midfielder. I agree. I love watching Sergio Busquets play that mixture of a 6 off the ball and acting like a 10 on it. He football mind is brilliant, and he knows how to draw players in and create space in the midfield.
Midfielder
Roar Guru
Decent article good read both article and comments. For me this skill in the hands or say ay the feet of a 6 is brillant to watch. If you have a 6 & 10 with these skills its jbeautiful to watch
Jack George
Roar Guru
Thanks, Chris. That is an interesting point about coaches, as they are the ones who implement it within players. Pep Guardiola possessed pausa as a player and has shown Sergio Busquets how to use it effectively as a coach.
Nick Symonds
Guest
They could and they do, but a "La Pausa" sounds better because that's what Barcelona do. It's like putting a flappy paddal gearbox in a Toyota Carolla, it makes practically no difference to the performance of the car but some people just want to say that they have one because that's what Formula 1 cars have. So, they go and buy the car. A kid can brag about doing a "La Pausa" like Barcelona much better than he could by saying that he "slowed it down and waited for some support". If it helps kids to do the same skill but get's them doing it more often, then maybe we'd see it more in the A-League. As it says in a U.S. Army manual: "If it's stupid but it works, it ain't stupid."
Roberto Bettega
Roar Rookie
You think it's important that commentators shout out "La Pausa" when they see it happening? Are you having a laugh? What if they just said something plain and simple like: He slows it down and waits for some support.
Nick Symonds
Guest
He “drew an opponent” doesn't sound as exciting as doing a "La Pausa". If the coach gives it a Spanish name and says, "That's how Barcelona play" or "That's what Messi does" then maybe the players will want to do it more often. It just needs a bit of rebranding.
chris
Guest
Pacman drawing an opponent in and then releasing is one aspect of "La Pausa". Playing sideways and slowing things down while waiting for team mates to get forwards is a skill that not many players have. Pirlo I think was the best at it. You don't realise how good he was until you don't see it anymore.
pacman
Roar Rookie
Interesting article Jack. This tactic is identical with what my team mates and I were coached when playing in NSW Federation 3rd Division in 1960. La Pausa? No, our coach used the term "draw an opponent" before releasing the ball. As Mark mentions, this tactic has been used for several decades.
Nick Symonds
Guest
With all the emphasis on quick passing and speed, skills like these are easily lost. It would be also good if commentators sometimes said "La Pausa" when they see it. That would help draw a bit more attention to it when it happens and get young players trying to do it themselves. I don't think I've ever heard an A-League commentator even say it before.