Ted Lasso’s “Total Football” demonstrates how applied improv methods drive successful teams.

By now, any fans of Ted Lasso realize its more than just about football (in the European sense of the word).

If you haven't watched it, stop what you're doing and go binge it immediately.

In one of the latest episode, Season 3, Episode 7 really struck a chord with us here at Amplified. With out spoiling too much, Ted comes up with a new offensive strategy based on an old NBA strategy known as the Triangle Offense and what was coined in European football as “Total Football” in 1974.

This philosophy (or style of play) led an underdog team of the Netherlands to multiple titles and became a widely adopted strategy of play. At the core, it allows soccer (football) players on the field (pitch) to move freely from one position to another with full trust and support of their teammates to fill in the position they may leave. It is this constant motion of players (dare we say “yes, you will take that spot and I’ll fill in your spot” approach) that empower an average team to accomplish great goals. It's all about the importance of teamwork, communication, and improvisation on the football field, and how those same principles can be applied to any team, in any industry.

As folks who have spent our fair share of time on stage doing improv comedy, we can tell you that there are a lot of similarities between that world and the world of corporate teams. Both require quick thinking, adaptability, and a willingness to take risks and try new things. And both can be incredibly rewarding when everything clicks and you're firing on all cylinders.

In the episode, we see the team struggling to work together effectively on the field. They're not communicating well, they're not taking risks, and they're not trusting each other. But through some clever coaching from Ted and some inspired play from the team captain, they're able to turn things around and start playing like a well-oiled machine.

The key to their success under this philosophy is their willingness to improvise. They're not afraid to try something new, to take a chance, or to trust their instincts. And when they do, they find that they're able to make plays they never thought possible.

The same is true in improv comedy. When you're on stage with a group of other performers, you never know what's going to happen. You might have a general idea of where the scene is going, but you have to be ready to pivot at a moment's notice if something unexpected happens. And when you do, you often find that the scene takes on a life of its own, and becomes something even better than what you had planned.

That kind of improvisation is incredibly valuable in the corporate world as well. When you're working on a team project, you might have a plan in place, but things can change quickly. A client might change their mind, a deadline might get moved up, or a team member might get sick. In those moments, it's important to be able to think on your feet, to come up with a new plan, and to work together to make it happen. Its no surprise this method shows up in Ted Lasso as many of the comedic writers including Jason Sudeikis himself trained early on in improv comedy.

Successful teams, whether on the football field or in the office, require a combination of communication, trust, and improvisation. You have to be able to work together effectively, to trust each other's instincts, and to be willing to try new things. And when you do, you might just find that you're capable of achieving more than you ever thought possible.

What was one of the better corporate teams you worked with? What was their style of play?

Bring this style of play to your next teambuilding/corporate training event! If you want to know how to, schedule time with us here.