About

Open Football Journal is for curious readers who want to follow football with a little more confidence, whether they watch every week or are just finding their way into the game. We explain the ideas that help make a match legible, in concise pieces suited to a commute or a spare few minutes.

What we cover

Our subjects include rules and decisions, player roles, tactical patterns, match formats and the small visual details that can change what you notice. We focus on understanding the game rather than reporting scores or predicting results.

Who it is for

Readers do not need specialist knowledge. Each piece defines its terms, sets out the relevant context and aims to leave you with a useful way to watch or think about football.

How we approach it

We favour specific questions and clear explanations over jargon. Football can vary by competition and situation, so we make context visible and avoid presenting one tactical idea as a rule for every match.