SYSTEMIC DRILL FROM THE ARTICLE: MOMENT OF ORGANIZATION FROM VALENCIA CF (Edition 62, al-football) Name: Manuel Torres Pericás Physical Education Teacher Bachelor CAFE (Specialty Football) Football manager Photos: Shutterstock 34 Article published in 35
JUSTIFICATION According to Vítor Frade (2005), "the manager must be trained to be a reflexive person, organized, meditative, someone for whom certainty will be uncertainty. The manager will not do because he once saw, but because his intuition and reflection will show him that path as the best way to achieve the sought objective," making it clear, that the manager must not copy the work and exercises to be done, but rather he must create them, this process being unique and singular (designed by him), in keeping with the particular context, and being reflexive with his own work (taken from Xavier Tamarit; Qué es la "Periodización Táctica"? Based on these words we can understand how to elaborate our own drills, first by thoroughly analyzing the game model. In past editions (Edition 62, al-football) analyzed the Valencia CF defensive moment and I have tried to go a step further and exemplify how we can build drills to train from maximum specificity and following our game principles. Putting it on paper is a difficult task and can be more complicated to understand, since we can neglect the logical process, concepts, feedback... though it can be the most influential medium to share it. Currently, in football there is a need for complexity, both in understanding it as well as training it. The best way to refresh the offensive moment of Valencia CF might be using the article: http:// shar.es/srax7 The present drill is designed to optimize taking the ball out (creation phase) from the moment of offensive organization of Valencia CF. We must not overlook that the moment adapts a high percentage of the opponent s characteristics in terms of how they execute pressure. Therefore, this drill is designed to enhance the specific situations that will occur in competition in relation to that pressure. Therefore, it will be noted that the opponent will carry out pressing in midfield with two forwards who will be positioned in front of the midfield but will not pressure the opponent with possession of the ball in the forward zones to avoid intersectoral imbalance (relationship between intermediate sector and offensive sector). The drill development will occur regarding two approaches: the player's decision-making ability (cognitive progression) and degree of freedom. In the first phase, by increasing the difficulty of the drill by increasing the number of opponents (in each phase of the drill) and the total number of players (from intersectoral to collective). In the second one, by progressing from a lesser to greater degree of player freedom. Moreover, in the different phases of the drill we will consider that there is a complete correlation with the specific principles and sub principles of the moment of offensive organization of Valencia CF that we will want to influence in this drill. SPECIFIC PRINCIPLES: Overcoming the first lines of pressure by looking for less crowded areas Look for progression spaces Look for connections with subsequent lines SUBPRINCIPLES: Create numerical superiority when taking the ball out when this ball is in the central space. Get the holding midfielders to receive the ball without pressure and oriented toward the opposing goal. Remember that the main objective of taking the ball out on a passing attack is for one of the holding midfielders to receive in Zone 2 without pressure and positioned toward the opposing goal (gestation phase where the player can link up with another forward line and move toward the opposing goal). Always prioritizing ball conservation and at the same time looking for less crowded zones to overcome lines of pressure. They first look for width (pivoting) and then they look for depth (overcome lines of pressure). It bears mentioning that in the drill there will be two teams; one team will prioritize the training to improve taking the ball out (this drill) and the other team would train to improve the defence-attack transition, understanding football "unwavering endurance." In the latter, we will not stress it so much (only some instructions), because I did not previously prepare an analysis of how it is carried out in competitive matches. In conclusion, it is just one example of a drill for a specific situation (defined game model, fixed opposing pressure, etc.) and where the only goal that I have is to emphasize the statement with which I started, you always have to adapt each drill taking into account those factors that can occur in the game. Therefore, this type of systematic drills proved us the ability to reach the maximum specificity, efficiency between designing drills and the prepared game model, the possibility to make corrections and stress those aspects of the game that we want to improve, whether game principles and/or functions and responsibilities at the individual level (subsubprinciples). Even still, we will briefly summarize the main features of this article: Therefore, the specific principles and those related sub principles with which we are going to train are mentioned: 36 Article published in 37
DRILL DESIGN: TAKE OUT THE BALL IN THE CREATION PHASE (ZONE 1 with ZONE 2) Defensive sector and intermediate sector. Phase 1: Intersectoral Two centre-backs, two holding midfielders and an attacking midfielder (+ goalkeeper). goalkeeper begins the drill looking for one of the centrebacks that are spread out on either side. When one of them receives the ball one of the holding midfielders can leave the rectangle towards wider zone (+ one of the opponents). Thus creating numerical superiority in this zone (3x2). 1. Prioritize and facilitate the drill in the defensive sector in the creation phase with both centrebacks and the holding midfielder who moves in to create numerical superiority. 2. Stress the defensive sector subsubprinciples 3. Connect with intermediate sector. As we can see the pitch is separated into two zones. One more spacious zone where the goalkeeper and the two centre-backs (+ opposing forward) and a rectangle in the midfield zone with the two holding midfielders (+ two opponents). The idea is to pivot in this zone trying to advance and connect with the intermediate sector (players inside the rectangle) when one of the three is not being pressure by one of the forwards. Moreover, we see the attacking midfielder separated and outside the boundary. When one of these three players is in that favourable situation, the attacking midfielder can occupy the space in the rectangle, creating a 2x1 in that zone and with options to receive the ball. 38 Article published in 39
When the holding/ attacking midfielder receives the ball positioned toward the opposing goal without pressure he will simulate a pass to the side (to the left/ right back that are not participating in this drill) by executing a pass in one of the two goals located on the side: - Goalkeeper: o Control oriented towards the side where he wants to kick out the ball. o Move toward the side where the ball is at in order to always take it out from behind. **The sub principles related to the other positions will be detailed in the next phases because in this Phase 1, above all, we want to stress these positions (set objectives) In Phase 1 we will facilitate this pass (2x1 in the rectangle) because above all we are interested in the prior training of the centre-backs and the holding midfielder. Try to instil this idea: Instead of the centre-backs who are concerned with the attackers, the attackers ought to be concerned with the centre-backs (Óscar Cano) In Phase 1, we substantially limit the movements in the different positions; therefore, there will be a very small degree of freedom: - Centre-backs occupy Zone C - A holding midfielder is positioned between centre-backs (Zone A) - Another holding midfielder does not lose his position in the centre (Zone B) - The attacking midfielder always occupies Zone B when the other holding midfielder is in Zone A. The opposing team will work actively and if they steal they will have to quickly finish the play with the two forwards and the holding midfielder (he can move out of the rectangle and join) and they will only be able to defend the three players in the large zone (centre-backs and holding midfielder) without help from the intermediate sector, as these type of situations after losing possession in the creation phase occurs during competition. Subprinciple to consider (roles and responsibilities): - Centre-backs: o The need to get open (occupy maximum width) o They must progress whenever they are unopposed in the lateral space (unfixed) o Preference for controls oriented toward the touchline (depending on the distance of the defender) o Do not lock on to defenders (clear numerical superiority). - Holding midfielder 1: o Is located between the centre-backs and always behind creating a small triangle o He looks for the connection in the central space with the other holding or attacking midfielder (rectangle zone- simulates Zone 2) 40 Article published in 41
Phase 2: This phase is similar to Phase 1 except that there is a greater degree of liberty for Holding Midfielder 1 (the one who is between the centre-backs). The objectives remain the same. The initial player layout is the same as in Phase 1. The drill begins with the goalkeeper looking for one of the centre-backs that are spread out on either side. But this time, the holding midfielder can chose whether to continue to stay between the centrebacks (Phase 1) or he seeks width in the weak zone, and the centre-back, therefore, supports from behind the central space. Based on the above variable situation the drill is carried out exactly like Phase 1. Subsubprincipios to consider (roles and responsibilities): The sub principles are the same as in Phase 1 except that in this phase the roles between the centre-back and holding midfielder are swapped. In Phase 2, there is a greater degree of freedom for Holding Midfielder 1, and the other positions continue to have limited movement: - A holding midfielder is positioned between centre-backs (Zone A) or looks for width (Zone C) - Strong central zone (Zone C) and the other depending on how Holding Midfielder 1 moves, he will occupy Zone C or Zone A. - Another holding midfielder does not lose his position in the centre (Zone B) - The attacking midfielder always occupies Zone B when the other holding midfielder is in Zone A or Zone C. 42 Article published in Phase 3: This phase gives a greater degree of liberty to Holding Midfielder 1 (the one positioned between centre-backs) and there is one more opponent added (two midfielders and 2 forwards) to make it difficult to take the ball out in the intermediate sector and connect with the back line (Zone 3) or sides (Zone 2). 1. Maintain the instructions for taking out the ball previously discussed. 2. Prioritize and make the drill difficult for the intermediate sector in order to liken it to competition. 3. Stress the intermediate sector subsubprinciples. Following the same guidelines (the holding midfielder already has a greater degree of liberty as in phase 2) another player is added in the intermediate sector to make it more difficult for the holding midfielder/attacking midfielder to receive the ball oriented toward the opposing goal and with the possibility of connecting with Zone 2 (sides) or rear line (Zone 3). As we can see by adding another opponent in the rectangle (intermediate sector) the difficulty level increases. Thus, we focus more on this sector to liken it to a real game situation (2x2). The holding midfielders must create spaces to be able to uses them later without pressure from opponents, that is, they will be able to receive from behind to start over until they receive a pass and can position themselves toward the opposing goal and without being pressured in order to simulate a pass to the fullbacks (small goals). Remember that the drill is always dynamic, that is, it begins from the goal and they try to achieve the goal keeping in mind that after losing possession the opposing team must mount a counterattack situation. But if the goal is achieved, the goalkeeper starts over from the beginning. 43
Subsubprincipios to consider (roles and responsibilities): - Holding midfielder 2: o Coordinate with the attacking midfielder to create and occupy spaces o Move toward the opposing goal before receive the ball (proved there is no one pressuring him) o Begin the game (play forward facing "as support") provided that he is behind and pressured o Timing the movement to avoid pressure from the opponent - Attacking midfielder: o Same as Holding Midfielder 2 o Timing to occupy the space that Holding Midfielder must always happen when there is a pass option (not before because there will be no surprise effect and we will make it easy for the opponent). **The subsubprinciples related to the other positions (goalkeeper, centre-backs, holding midfielder 1) will be the same as those detailed in previous phases. In Phase 3, Holding Midfielder 1 still has a greater degree of freedom, and the other positions continue to have limited movement: - A holding midfielder is positioned between centre-backs (Zone A) or looks for width (Zone C) - Strong central zone (Zone C) and the other depending on how Holding Midfielder 1 moves, he will occupy Zone C or Zone A. - Another holding midfielder does not lose his position in the centre (Zone B) - The attacking midfielder always occupies Zone B when the other holding midfielder is in Zone A or Zone C. As we can see in the diagram the centre-back will have two goals that will simulate the pass to the false winger (because we always close in toward the central space between the lines whenever taking out as a winger). Subsubprincipios to consider (roles and responsibilities): **The subsubprinciples to take into consideration are all the ones that have been described in previous phases. In Phase 4, Holding Midfielder 1 and the centre-backs will have a greater degree of freedom than the other positions that will continue to have limited movement: - A holding midfielder is positioned between centre-backs (Zone A) or looks for width (Zone C) - Strong central zone (Zone C) and the other, depending on the movement of Holding Midfielder 1, will occupy Zone C or Zone A. He will be able to advance with the ball toward Zone F. - Another holding midfielder does not lose his position in the centre (Zone B) - The attacking midfielder always occupies Zone B when the other holding midfielder is in Zone A or Zone C. Phase 4: In this phase we add a greater degree of freedom for the centre-backs and facilitate taking the ball out in the defensive sector. 1. Maintain the instructions for taking out the ball previously discussed. 2. Prioritize and make it easier to take the ball out from the defensive sector. 3. Stress the subsubprinciples in both sectors (defensive and intermediate) The drill is the same as in the previous phases but we add that the centre-back and advance with the ball provided that he has overcome the opposing pressure, that is, by pivoting from one side to the other and seeing that the opponent does not reach the side space where the centre-back is at he can advance. Therefore, taking the ball out will be conditioned and facilitated from the defensive sector because we want this type of situation to occur during competition in order to be able to overcome possible lines of pressure (see the collective drill below). 44 Article published in 45
Collective phase - Defensive sector, intermediate sector and offensive sector. o Goalkeeper, two centre-backs, two fullbacks, two holding midfielders, two false wingers, attacking midfielder and forward. Phase 5: Once the different phases have been trained and once their development has been taken into account (cognitive progression and depending on the degree of freedom), these phases will be added within the same drill with all players participating to liken it to the competition (maximum specificity). Consequently, the players involved in Zone 2 - Zone 3 (fullbacks, false wingers and forward) will all be participating. 1. Maintain the instructions for taking out the ball as previously discussed. 2. Prioritize taking the ball out from the defensive sector. 3. Stress the players' subsubprinciples The drill will be a conditioned match situation integrating the guidelines of the previous phases. This way, the different situations in taking the ball out, the roles of all the players (subsubprinciples) and their respective degrees of freedom will be observed. It will be the ideal situation to correct possible errors, both at the collective, intersectoral, sectoral and individual levels. The other team will play a 1-4-4-2 (described in the justification section) and there will be few instructions. They can counterattack if the ball is stolen on the opponent's side of the pitch. However, if the ball is on the same side they will begin a positional attack. This will not be taken into account as much, since we have not analyzed the opponent in this training and, therefore, it will not be important (though of course when you want to design a drill, it must be constantly taken into consideration) Subsubprincipios to consider (roles and responsibilities): In addition to the subsubprinciples previously discussed there will be other ones taken into consideration when the players participate in Zone 2 and Zone 3. These are: - Fullback: o Timing when incorporating to be able to o Look for depth between centre-back use the space left by the false winger. fullback o Prioritize the centre from the side since o Movements against the forward in order many players accumulate in the area to occupy spaces within the area due to a (end the play to avoid transitions) and possible kick. with the advantage that they are good - False winger: shooters. o Movement between he lines toward the o Look for maximum width inside to attract and create uncertainty on - Holding midfielder: the side. o Leave if you re being pressed so the o Observe before receiving if pressed. other holding midfielder can receive. o If there is no pressure, turn and face the o Receive positioned toward the opposing opposing goal. goal o Help the fullback to play a 2x1 on the o Look for inside passes to the false side. wingers or width with the fullbacks to - Forward: condition centres from the side. o Set the centre-back in the strong zone o Think about occupying rational spaces and bring him towards the weak zone. during saves. o Do not move the area to have the option - Attacking midfielder: to shoot at all times o Come to receive oriented towards opposing goal if the holding midfielders are being pressured In the collective drill the degrees of freedom are as follows: - A holding midfielder is positioned between centre-backs (Zone A) or looks for width (Zone C) - Strong central zone (Zone C) and the other depending on how Holding Midfielder 1 moves, he will occupy Zone C or Zone A. - Another holding midfielder does not lose his position in the centre (Zone B) - The attacking midfielder always occupies Zone B when the other holding midfielder is in Zone A or Zone C. - Fullbacks are positioned in Zone F. - False winters begin from Zone G toward Zone E. 46 Article published in 47