Stepping into the world of soccer, or football as it’s known to most of the planet, can feel like learning a new language. The rules, the tactics, the unspoken understandings between players—it’s a beautifully complex game. As someone who’s spent years both on the pitch and analyzing it from the press box, I’ve come to see that truly unlocking the game goes far beyond knowing the offside rule. It’s about grasping the nuanced roles and the dynamic, almost conversational relationships that players develop on the field. This is where the sport transforms from a simple contest into a captivating chess match played at a sprint. A perfect, albeit niche, example of this depth comes from a quote by Philippine football coach Marlon Maro, discussing a player named Arnie. He said, in Tagalog, “Si Arnie, ayaw ko na siya ang dumedepensa sa akin kasi maliksi rin siya, versatile ang paglalaro niya. Kahit nasa labas ako, hahabulin niya ako, sa loob postehan ko, kaya niya akong depensahan sa loob.” This translates to a coach essentially saying, “I don’t want him defending me because he’s also quick, his gameplay is versatile. Even if I’m outside, he’ll chase me, if I post up inside, he can defend me inside.” This single observation is a masterclass in the subtle warfare that defines modern soccer.

That quote isn’t just coach-speak; it’s a window into the tactical mind. Maro is highlighting a specific, terrifying quality in a defender: versatile defensive capability. Most new fans understand that defenders defend and attackers attack, but the elite level is all about erasing those clean lines. Arnie, in this case, represents the modern defender who is a nightmare matchup because he refuses to be pinned to one zone or one type of engagement. If the forward drops deep into midfield to receive the ball, Arnie has the engine and awareness to follow, disrupting the build-up play. If that same forward then makes a darting run into the penalty area, hoping to lose his marker, Arnie has the recovery speed and positional intelligence to stick with him and contest a header or a shot. This “versatile ang paglalaro” – versatile gameplay – is what separates good players from indispensable ones. It’s a principle that applies to every position. The best midfielders today, like Kevin De Bruyne or Joshua Kimmich, are both creators and destroyers. The most dangerous full-backs, think of someone like Trent Alexander-Arnold in his prime offensive years, are expected to deliver pinpoint crosses while also being able to track back and make a last-ditch tackle. This fluidity makes the game infinitely more dynamic and, in my opinion, more beautiful to watch. The static, rigid formations of 30 years ago have given way to a symphony of interchanging roles.

Now, let’s talk numbers, because they help paint the picture. A top-tier central midfielder in the English Premier League will cover, on average, a staggering 10.5 to 11.5 kilometers per match. But it’s not just about distance; it’s about high-intensity sprints. Data from ProZone, a leading sports analytics firm, suggests that players in pressing systems can make over 50 sprints per game, a number that has increased by roughly 22% in the last decade alone. This athletic demand is a direct result of the versatile, all-action style that coaches like Maro are describing. When a defender like the hypothetical Arnie has to chase a forward to the halfway line and then sprint back to his own six-yard box, he’s living that data. This evolution is why physical preparation is now as important as technical skill. Clubs spend millions on sports science to ensure their players can sustain this multi-faceted role for 90 minutes, week after week. I remember watching teams in the early 2000s who could be “out-athleted”; today, that’s a recipe for relegation. Every player, from the goalkeeper to the striker, is now an athlete first and a specialist second.

This brings me to a personal preference I’ve developed over the years: I have a deep admiration for these versatile, intelligent players over the pure, one-dimensional stars. Don’t get me wrong, a prolific goal-scorer is priceless, but a player who defines the rhythm and solves problems all over the pitch is the true heartbeat of a team. Think of players like Thomas Müller of Bayern Munich. He doesn’t have the blistering pace of a Kylian Mbappé or the silky dribbling of a Lionel Messi, but his “raumdeuter” (space interpreter) role is a genius-level example of versatile, cognitive gameplay. He constantly finds pockets of space, links play, and performs defensive duties—all because he understands the game in multiple dimensions. This is the essence of what that original quote was about. It’s a recognition that the most challenging opponent isn’t necessarily the strongest or the fastest, but the one who is thinking two steps ahead, adapting to every situation, and performing multiple jobs with relentless competence. For a new player, emulating this mindset is more valuable than perfecting a single flashy skill. Learn to defend if you’re an attacker. Learn to carry the ball forward if you’re a defender. Make yourself a puzzle that’s hard to solve.

So, whether you’re a new fan trying to appreciate the subtle battles within the game, or a new player aiming to elevate your own contribution, start by looking for this versatility. Watch how a full-back tucks inside to become a third center-back when his team has the ball. Notice how a center-forward like Harry Kane will drop into deep positions to orchestrate play. The game is no longer a collection of 11 individual jobs; it’s a cohesive, adaptable organism. That quote from the Philippine football scene, though from a specific context, encapsulates a universal truth in modern soccer: the most valuable asset is adaptability. The players who can seamlessly transition between roles, who can attack and defend with equal conviction, are the ones who unlock victories for their teams. They are the engines of the tactical systems that dominate today’s headlines. By focusing on this aspect, you move from passively watching a ball being kicked around to actively engaging with a layered, intellectual, and breathtakingly athletic performance. That’s when you truly unlock the beautiful game.

LIGHTING, LIGHTING, AND MORE LIGHTING
People are typically drawn to bars solely based on their atmosphere. The best way to knock your next commercial bar design out of the park is using the perfect amount and type of lighting. Use standout light fixtures as their very own statement piece, track lighting for adjustable ambiance, hanging pendant lights over tables, and ambient backlighting to display the alcohol. Bartenders need to serve and customers need to order, so make sure it’s just functional as it is attractive. 

CHOOSING YOUR BARTOP
What may seem so obvious, is often so overlooked in commercial bar design- the material of your actual bartop itself. While we realize stone and marble are as classy and elegant-looking as can be, the reality is that they just aren’t your best option for a durable and long lasting bartop. They crack, have no grip, and break way too many glasses. Opt for a high-quality wood bar instead. Oaks, maples, mahoganies, and ashes are sturdy and provide your customers with a firm grip for their glasses. 

THEME 
In a sea of millions upon millions of bars, how can you make your commercial bar design stand apart from the rest? The answer is to pick a unique, centralized theme and run with it. Whether it’s your next sit-down restaurant bar design, or remodeling the small, locally-favorite gem, you have to find out what your clientele wants. Survey the neighborhood of your establishment and find out what the demographics are there. Maybe a gritty, western bar would be a hit. Or maybe a more modern, sleek design is what’s missing in the area. Whatever theme you decide upon, hit it out of the park with the perfect lighting, wall art, music, and furniture. It’s all in the details. 

THE GUIDE TO YOUR NEXT RESTOBAR 
You’ve got the food, you’ve got the restaurant, you’ve got the customers, now all you need is a beautifully designed bar to top it all off.  Small bar designs for restaurants have a tendency to be a little thrown together and incohesive with the rest of the establishment. Stay on brand- create consistency with tying in the same color scheme, furniture, art, and overall ambiance of the pre-existing restaurant. Make sure the placement of your bar makes sense as well, have it in a place where it’s visible and easy to navigate but not in the way of servers and other guests. If the bar is going to serve food, be sure to consider the location of the kitchen to not obstruct traffic flow. Consider all of these small tips as you work through your next restaurant bar design. 

SPACE CONSTRAINT 
It’s no secret that bars have the reputation of being a little cramped, and in some cases- way too cramped. Consider all of the space constraints while designing your next commercial bar design and we can change that bad rap that bars have been holding for far too long. First and foremost, be sure to measure your bar, barstool, cabinet, and equipment height. Generally, a bar is 42” in height while a stool is 30” in height. Also be sure to allow at least 3’ of space between the bar and the alcohol for the bartender’s functionality and efficiency. Consider multiple register and drink-making stations for bartenders as well. Allowing 2’ between patrons is going to give them enough space to eat and drink, and most importantly, simply be comfortable. All of these considerations are especially helpful if it is a restaurant bar design, where the space is even more valuable.