What is "tiki-taka"

alt. (context football English) A style of play characterised by short passing and movement, working the ball through various channels, and maintaining possession. n. (context football English) A style of play characterised by short passing and movement, working the ball through various channels, and maintaining possession.

Tiki-taka (commonly spelled tiqui-taca in Spanish) is a style of play in football characterised by short passing and movement, working the ball through various channels, and maintaining possession. The style is primarily associated with La Liga club Barcelona, especially during the era of manager Pep Guardiola. Its development and influence goes back to Johan Cruyff's tenure as manager in the early 1990s all the way to the present. Tiki-Taka is also associated with the Spanish national team under managers Luis Aragonés and Vicente del Bosque. It was also seen under Arsène Wenger's Arsenal that won the 2003–04 FA Premier League. Tiki-taka moves away from the traditional thinking of formations in football to a concept derived from zonal play.