In soccer, the term 'False 9' or 'False Nine' has risen in prominence over the past few decades. Some of the best teams in recent times have used the role in their tactical systems.
But what actually is a False 9 in soccer? What's this player's job in the team? What benefits does this role offer? Which players have played the False 9 role?
Our team of football experts at Be Your Best have written this blog to help answer all these questions, and a few more. Let's start exploring the concept of a false nine in soccer. Plus, learn how virtual reality soccer training can help improve players understanding of, and decision-making in, the role.
What is a false nine?
A False 9 is a center-forward who, instead of leading their team's offensive line, drops into deeper positions. Players tasked to perform this role are typically highly technical. They are not just goal scorers, but also playmakers who link play between midfield and attack.
What is the role & benefits of a false nine?
A traditional 'No. 9' is usually a team's attacking focal point. Someone who stays high up the field, in a central position and holds up the ball. Looking to score goals by getting on the end of crosses and passes into the penalty area.
In contrast, the aim of a False 9 is to create a more fluid attacking system. The 'No. 9' moves into 'false' positions i.e. areas of the field they would not usually play in. This positioning causes uncertainty for the opposition. Forcing the defending team into a decision. Does a defender or midfielder pick up this striker dropping deep?
If a False 9 is left unattended, then an attacking threat can receive the ball with time and space to create. If a defender or midfielder does pick up, then they will subsequently be pulled out of position. As a result, space will be created elsewhere for a teammate to take advantage of.
In essence, a False 9 is a hybrid role, combining elements of both a striker and an attacking midfielder. Affording teams opportunities to create numerical overloads and positional advantages over the opposition when attacking.
Who are some famous false nines?
Stories of the False 9 origination date back to the Corinthians in the 1890s. Credit is also given to River Plate in the 1920s, the Austrian national team in the 1930s and the renowned Hungary team of the 1950s.
In the modern game, the false nine came back into the public eye with Lionel Messi at FC Barcelona. His manager at the time, Pep Guardiola, first used Messi in the role in a El Clasico fixture against Real Madrid.
Recalling his first experience of playing the role, the legendary Argentine player said:
"I remember that it was a surprise for me, because I was called up the day before the game, was made to go to Guardiola’s office at the Ciutat Esportiva, and I was told that he had been watching Madrid’s games a lot, as he did with every opponent.
"He had been talking with Tito Vilanova and they had thought about me playing as a false nine. He was going to put Samuel and Thierry Henry on the outside, and I was going to play as the false centre forward.
"I wasn’t going to stay there, but rather come out and join up with the central midfield. The idea was that Madrid’s centre backs would follow me out, and the two fast wingers that we had would go around the back.
"In fact, one of Henry’s goals was like that. It was a surprise for us and for Madrid. I remember that we had a lot of possession, and we always had an extra man in the middle of the park."
Guardiola's tactical ploy that day helped Barcelona beat Real Madrid 6-2. The Catalan coach has continued to use False Nines during his time at Manchester City. Even on occasions deploying two false nines in specific games.
Other examples of famous false nines include Roberto Firmino. The Brazilian's technical profile perfectly suited the role. At Liverpool, Firmino's skillset perfectly dovetailed with the depth running power of forward partners Mohamed Salah and Sadio Mane. The attacking trio helped Liverpool to win the Champions League in 2018/19 and the Premier League in 2019/20.
Internationally, Vicente del Bosque's use of Cesc Fàbregas in Euro 2012 helped Spain on the way to lifting the trophy. In their system, their forward players were encouraged to rotate constantly. Fàbregas regularly vacated central areas to allow Andrés Iniesta (who started wider) to attack inside.
Francesco Totti, Harry Kane, and Karim Benzema are all strikers who have also played the false 9 role during their careers. Their top level ball control and passing ability made them ideal players to drop deep, pick up the ball in midfield areas and execute through balls to forward running teammates.
Each also possessed elite game intelligence or soccer IQ. Meaning they consistently made good decisions on the field. Pulling defenders out of position and creating space for others is only beneficial if players recognise and exploit these opportunities. Plus, when a team's center-forward starts deeper, they can arrive into the box late and shoot first-time. Generating another goalscoring threat for the team.
How to train as a false nine?
Training as a false 9 can be difficult if your team does not play in that way. Or if your teammates do not have the complimentary attributes to suit the role. However, players can use training and small-sided games to improve the technical skillsets needed to perform this role. Aspects like small-space ball control and manipulation, quick turning, dribbling and playing through balls.
However, an effective false nine also needs good off-ball skills too. Characteristics like awareness, vision, space recognition, movement and timing. In essence, game intelligence - the process of information gathering, through the art and behaviour of scanning. Then using that intel to decide your next action.
Studies have shown that players who scan more, retain possession more often, and make more successful forward passes. Therefore, the ability to effectively scan, gather information and make split-second decisions is a necessity for a false nine.
However, these qualities are hard to train individually. As players need realistic game environments to recreate the conditions. That's why lots of professional players and clubs are turning to virtual reality to help.
Virtual reality soccer training
Through VR soccer training players can step onto a virtual field and immerse themselves in realistic game scenarios. Players can develop cognitive skills, such as scanning, vision, awareness and decision-making. All without the physical demands of practice.
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At Be Your Best, our VR soccer training app recreates moments players will constantly face on the field. Encouraging players to scan where the ball, teammates and opponents are, to help form what their decision will be once they receive the ball. Then measuring and analyzing your performance post-session. Looking into metrics such as scan frequency, quality and assessing the decision you made.
In addition to our regular Practice and Career training modes, Be Your Best users can also partake in Challenges. Each Challenge has been developed to work on a specific aspect of a players game. Whether that's positionally or tactical.
One Be Your Best Challenge specifically focuses on immersing yourself as a False 9 and combining with teammates. This type of training capability is invaluable to soccer players and the perfect accompaniment to real-life training.
Be Your Best's VR training affords opportunities for highly realistic, relevant and repetitive training. All essential in developing a players cognitive skillset. Vital in becoming a more calm and composed soccer player.
Learn more about the skill of scanning, and virtual reality soccer training, by signing up to our Game Intelligence Series today. Receive 7-days worth of free educational video content direct to your inbox.
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