General
tiki-taka
What does tiki-taka mean?
A style dominated by keeping the ball through rapid short passes and constant movement, famously used by Barcelona and Spain.
"They passed the opposition to death with relentless tiki-taka."
Origin
Spanish onomatopoeia for the tapping rhythm of the ball; popularised in the late 2000s.
Frequently asked questions
What is tiki-taka in football?
It is a possession-based style built on rapid, short passing and constant movement to keep the ball and wear down the opposition, famously used by Barcelona and Spain.
Where does the term tiki-taka come from?
It is Spanish onomatopoeia echoing the tapping rhythm of the ball being passed, and was popularised in the late 2000s.
Which teams are famous for tiki-taka?
Pep Guardiola's Barcelona and the Spain national team that won major tournaments around 2008 to 2012 are the sides most associated with it.
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