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7. Offensive Organization
8. Defensive Organization
9. Offensive Transition
In recent times the term "game model" has gained remarkable prevalence when it
comes to analyzing the standard behavior that a football team shows on the field.
Although the term is not always used in the correct context (confusion between
game model and game system), any observer recognizes that in general terms, a
game model must be something related to the way a team plays.
For coaches who seek to equip their teams with regularities, with the primary
objective of instilling in their players a collective way of thinking and synchronized
actions, the game model is much more than the 4-3-3 or 4-4-2... it is, rather, a series
of theoretical concepts that are characterized from a macro to a micro level, and
which, through use of training exercises, move from a preplanned intention to an
intention in action.
It is important to recognize that the ideal game model only exists in the coach’s mind.
This is why it will be impossible, given the chaotic and unpredictable nature of the
game, that the team demonstrates these ideas all the time. The most that can be
done is, using training as a systematic and organized practice, promote those
behaviors that we hope to see frequently in our team’s play and which gives it a
distinct IDENTITY.
The word IDENTITY, by itself, can generally encompass everything that defines a
game model. For example, when someone, even if not a coach or analyst, looks at a
team and can say "they usually play from the back"; "Use the lateral corridors for
crosses"; "Almost always apply a high press," etc. this means that there is a concerted
effort and method of playing that this team is actively practicing, the same behaviors
that, certainly, are in line with the game characteristics of its members: the players.
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Vital.
That's why the coach needs to adapt.. If you are in a situation that allows you to
recruit players that naturally fit your game model, great. If not, you will be dependent
on what you have and you will have to decide whether your ideal game model is
adaptable.
In one way or another, with your ideas or with ideas that are possible at the time, an
identity will begin to manifest, never forgetting that this representation must arise,
first, in the players' minds.
In this way, and despite the need to cement collective game concepts, we cannot
neglect the analysis of the regularities of the opponent’s game and from there try to
exploit weaknesses while controlling/suppressing their strengths. Even the most
successful models that prioritize the constant improvement of their own game model
have in mind the strategic component.
Of course not, because the players are not all the same and because the clubs are
also different. It is possible that a team imposes its dominance though ball
possession while another allows the opponent to have the ball and relies on quick
actions of attack.
In this sense, the coach, upon arrival at a club, should take into consideration the
behavioral aspects that have already been established over time, as well as, the
playing culture that already exists at the club. If the existing game model is strong
and has led to good results in the past, it may be important to respect it and follow
the general features.
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With COACH ID app, the coach is challenged to create his game idea and to have it
always present and easily accessible. The app allows the coach to characterize, in
offensive and defensive phases, his game principles in 3 levels:
The app allows you to designate videos that represent each behavior and assign, to
each of the principles, an exercise, image or diagram created with the editor.
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In practice:
After, it comes the integral planning of a training microcycle, with three progressive
exercises per session and which have a logical relationship with the game model and
with the strategic model identified to face the next opponent
1. Offensive organization: Short build up from the back alternating with direct play
3. Offensive transition: breaking away from zonal pressure and quickly shifting
corridors
4. Defensive Transition: quick reaction after ball loss – immediate pressure on ball
carrier
Field Positions
GK - GOALKEEPER
CB – CENTER BACK
FB – FULL BACK
MF - MIDFIELDER
WG – WINGER
ST - STRIKER
Offensive Organization
General
Ensure good ball movement with support and connection between sectors (phase 1
- build up, phase 2 - progression, phase 3 - finishing)
Specifics
Examples
In the first phase of construction, never play by the first corridor. With strong passes we force
the opponent to shift 1 or 2 times to create space in opposite corridor where we intend to
play through.
After we “win” this space we are rigorous in exploiting the space in this corridor with
penetrating runs by the ST and/or WG.
4. Attack depth
Whether in supported build up or fast attack, we'll use the speed of the more advanced
players to exploit the space behind the opponent – short diagonal movements if the
opponent defends in low block, look for the space between defensive line and GK if
opponent defends high up in the pitch.
Defensive Organization
General
Defend in a compact and aggressive way, not allowing space between lines
Specifics
1. Press in mid-block
2. Little space between sectors (larger between defensive and midfield lines)
3. Attention to when the ball is “covered” and “uncovered”
4. Defensive coverage when we defend near our own goal
Examples
1. Press in mid-block
Allow the opponent to play from the back and to play through the lateral corridors – zonal
pressure
ST blocks the passing line to the first center back, midfielders mark the opponent MF, WG
defend from the inside out
2. Little space between sectors (larger between defensive and midfield lines)
Attacking and midfield lines close together to prevent progression. In order to more
adequately control depth, the defensive line doesn’t get too close to the midfield line. If
space between lines exist, one of the cb's immediately jumps to pressure while the rest of
the defenders close the central space.
Perfect synchronization of the defensive line, moving up and down the pitch at the same
time. Defensive line moves up the pitch if opponent receives the ball with his back towards
our goal, or there is a pass backwards; defensive line moves down if the opponent has
no pressure near and is facing our defensive structure (and if there is space behind the
defensive line).
The goal keeper’s reading of such situations is fundamental, he should be in an advanced
position to neutralize the space behind the defensive line.
The contention of an aerial ball or the pressing of one CB should be compensated by the
approximation of other players that make up the defensive line, in a way to close the central
space.
If the ball is in the lateral corridor, the defensive midfielder approaches to cover the FB if he
is beaten. In this way, our central defenders are not drawn out of position, maintaining our
organization and protection of our goal.
Offensive Transition
General
From being compact to creating space: After recovering the ball, the aim is to make
it "ours". For this to happen, it is necessary to guarantee the success of the first 3
passes and that the ball exits the pressure zone.
Specifics
Quick decision making, in relation to the following three options after recovering the
ball:
1. Transition in width
2. Transition through progression
3. Transition with safety
Examples
In width – the objective is to quickly shift the corridor the ball is in, through strong passes or
aerial passes, to the furthest corridor. This solution is especially effective if the recovery is
done in the intermediate zone of the field, near one of the outside corridors.
In progression/depth – the objective when we recover the ball near our goal and there are
several opponents around, is to create an attacking reference in depth and safety which
would allow the player to hold the ball.
In safety – if the ball is recovered in an intermediate or advanced zone where the opponent
is well organized and there is no apparent space for progression, the objective is to circulate
the ball behind using the defenders and goalkeeper as support. In this way, we are able to
keep the ball and we begin our process of re-organizing.
Defensive Transition
General
Strong reaction after ball loss in order to recover it as fast as possible, not giving the
opponent time or space to leave the pressing zone.
Specifics
Player who loses the ball and/or closest players put(s) immediate pressure on the opponent
Players furthest away “make the field compact”, advancing towards the opponents that are
likely to receive the ball (mixed marking mode)
Examples
For example, saying that we should attack the aerial ball aggressively is a general
behavioral principle that, naturally, all coaches want.
To be more concrete, we can define the zones to occupy, distances between players,
body orientation, etc., peculiarities of how we want our team to behave in these
circumstances.
At the offensive level, if the general goal is to attack the aerial ball, combining
movements to lose markers, we can define, as micro principles, the zones in which
we should attack the ball or strategic actions that aim to mislead the adversary to
allow us to find space for finishing.
Planning – Preliminary Analyses
Previous game: We had difficulty building in the 1st phase. The opponent
conditioned our team to play inside and we were not quick in circulating the corridor
of the ball and progressing through the outside. All too often the solution was
through a long aerial pass and we were not in an organized position to win 2nd balls.
In the first training of the week we will promote exercises that aim to improve the
principles of our offensive organization, precisely in the 1st phase of construction.
The weekly training plan, from Game day (-4) to Game day (-2), aims to primarily
develop offensive actions in the final third of the pitch, seeking to "attract inside to
free outside" – fundamental for exploiting the lateral corridors and for the creating
finishing situations.
EXERCISES
1. Rondos
Success Criteria: if the opponent defends “wide” we try to find space inside.
If the opponent protects the central corridor, our defending midfielder drops between
the center backs allowing our FB´s to move up on the pitch.
If the team defending (white) recovers the ball they can try to finish on the large goal with
the GK.
3. Game 6 v 6 + 6
Description: Small-sided game 6 v 6 with 6 players that make up the third team in
support – 4 solutions for passing inside and 2 solutions for passing outside.
Success Criteria: Speed in circulating the ball and perception of space to attack – play
inside (finishing) or play through the outside.
EXERCISES
1. Passing + transition with support: attract
inside to free space outside
Success Criteria: Positional orientation to recover the ball in a way that you are already
oriented to attack; defensive coverage; pass and support; movement into sectors.
2. Defensive organization in mid-block
(inside press)
Description: Defensive organization against the opponent’s first phase of construction.
Strategic component – in order to promote a false sense of security for construction inside
(by initially allowing space to the midfielders) which will lead them to utilize the central
corridor. In this zone the pressure is heightened to prevent the opponent from breaking
our final line (represents the space behind back of our midfield line) and if we can recover
the ball, we start a fast attack with emphasis on the 1st pass to a supporting player, we
then try to create superiority in the finishing zone.
Success Criteria: striker closes down passing line in between center backs; defensive
coverage; identifying moment to press midfielders; attacking inside and central spaces.
3. Sectors – Recovery/connection to the next
sector (finishing)
Description: Sector game - when a team regains possession of the ball in its defensive
half, it must connect with a teammate in the next sector, replicating an offensive action
preceded by the defensive action of recovering the ball.
If the ball is recovered in the offensive half, the recovering team may look to finish
immediately.
No player can cross the sector lines.
Rules: Maximum of 10 seconds to create a finishing action.
Success Criteria: Defensive phase - compact defensive block (3 defenders + 1
midfielder) with good synchronization of the defensive line; good transition pass after
winning the ball; Offensive phase - quick creation of a finishing situation.
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EXERCISES
1. Ball Circulation – Offensive dynamics
Description: Ball circulation – frontal inside support + connection with outside. The final
pass is dependent on the movement of the player in the corridor (if the player offers
frontal support or a run into space).
In the second phase, the sequence changes sides.
Success Criteria: Quality passing; decision making in time/space for penetrating and
support movements in corridors
2. Small pitch / Big pitch
Regime: Speed
Objective: Stimulating speed actions, losing
marker, and speed contextual perception (cognitive
component); inter and intra-sectorial offensive
combinations/individual actions; exploiting behavior
identified in the next opponent – individual marking on
set pieces (corners)
EXERCISES
1. Speed reaction – 1v1 + GK
Description: Speed reation to stimulus (ball being played) – 2 players per group
consisting of attacker and defender. If the attacker arrives first, he finishes at the goal, if
the defender manages to intercept the ball, he tries to pass it through the yellow marks
(pass out of pressure).
4 sets per group
Success Criteria: Reaction when ball is played; speed in losing marker; finishing ability
2. Ball possession
Description: General ball possession exercise: 4 teams (2 + 2) try to keep possession of
the ball. Each time the coach instructs another grouping, players must react quickly and
immediately perceive who is on their team
Success Criteria: Speed associated with decision making; play with head up; quick
reaction to stimulus (attack/defend)
3. Inter and intra-sectorial connections +
offensive set pieces
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