Table of Contents

1. About the Authors

2. From the conceptualization of the

game model to the operationalization
of training exercises

3. How important are the players to the

definition of the game model?

4. “Live and die” with my game model or

live from strategy?

5. Are all game models the same?

6. Game model in practice

7. Offensive Organization

8. Defensive Organization

9. Offensive Transition

10. Defensive Transition

11. Set Pieces

12. Planning – Preliminary Analyses

13. Training Day 1 – Game Day (+2)

14. Training Day 2 – Game Day (-4)

15. Training Day 3 – Game Day (-3)

16. Training Day 4 – Game Day (-2)

17. App Download

About the Authors
We are both Portuguese football coaches. 
Between us we share coaching experiences in several contexts. From a
national to international level, we seek to feed our insatiable hunger for
knowledge of the game. 
We studied at FC Barcelona to learn about the methodologies used by
one of the greatest teams of all time (Guardiola’s FC Barcelona). We were
also students in Jose Mourinho’s High Performance Coaching post-
graduation course where we visited José Mourinho and we learned
firsthand about his game model and his method of work.
Because we are aware that our concerns are also yours, we want to
provide moments of sharing and learning with the objective to help you
to become a better coach. 
We believed, based on our experiences and contact with other coaches,
the need of having a platform that would allow coaches to have all
information about their teams and process in one place. We decided to
create a software/app – COACHID APP – which satisfies the essential
needs of coaches. 
We challenge you to experience and discover all the potential!

João Rico Acácio Santos

- -

FROM THE CONCEPTUALIZATION

OF THE GAME MODEL TO THE
OPERATIONALIZATION OF
TRAINING EXERCISES
- -

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.
- -

How important are the players to the

definition of the game model?

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 regard, training takes on a great importance. It is fundamental that players

realize what they are training and why. Part of a game model’s success is linked to the
coach's involvement with the players and the way he convinces them to "buy" into
his ideas and how the team should play. As the process progresses, this involvement
results in questions. If to the questions the coach does he receives the answers he
expects, there is symbiosis.
- -

“Live and die” with my game model or live

from strategy?

Football, despite the recurrent scalping to the smallest minuteness or detail, in

essence remains a game in which two teams face each other. And games are played.
And you play to win! Hence, similar to a battle, knowing ourselves and our "enemy"
can give us a degree of superiority.

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.

So, if I want my training process to have principles, I should move on to planning a

new week knowing what aspects of my game model I'm going to work on and what
adaptations/modifications I plan, taking into account the opponent I'm going to face.
This concern is what lead to the establishment of the MICROCYCLE, which is widely
accepted as the most important unit in preparation (assuming that we are not in the
earlier/youth stages of development).
- -

Are all game models the same?

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.
- -

GAME MODEL IN PRACTICE

- -

“The most important

thing for a coach is to
create his own identity”
José Mourinho
- -

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:

General principles, associated with global tactical behavior.

These general principles are the basis for specific and
representative principles.

Specific principles, associated with tactical behaviors that

explain specific behaviors in the different phases of attack and
defense.

Representative principles, associated with micro behaviors that

represent the "how", or, what makes the dynamics of each
process different.

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.
- -

In practice:

In order to establish these levels of organization in practice, we present a set of

concepts associated to a hypothetical game model characterized by the following
phases of the game: OFFENSIVE ORGANIZATION / DEFENSIVE ORGANIZATION /
OFFENSIVE TRANSITION / DEFENSIVE TRANSITION / OFFENSIVE SET PIECES /
DEFENSIVE SET PIECES.

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

Our game plan in 4 points:

1. Offensive organization: Short build up from the back alternating with direct play

2. Defensive organization: Zonal defending in a mid-block

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  

PRIMARY FORMATION: 4-2-3-1

GLOSSARY

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

1. Alternating ways of building up from the back (avoiding predictability)

2. Inside and outside passing lines
3. If there is no space, quick shift corridors to progress
4. Attack depth

Examples

1. Alternating ways of building up from the back (avoiding predictability) 

3 solutions for short build-up:

Opponent presses high: construct with 3 players - nº6 low in between CBs (CBs wide)
and FB high up
Opponent presses in mid-block: construct with two CBs, wingers come closer and FB play
inside
Opponent defends in low block (behind midfield pitch line): WG play inside and FB open
wide to create space 

2 solutions for direct play:

Outside players very open near midfield pitch line – GK medium distance pass
Striker flicks to one of the outside corridors (offensive coverage from midfielders and
penetrating runs from WG.)
2. Inside and outside passing lines

While constructing, avoid having players positioned in the same lines

Body positioning in a way to facilitate next offensive action: turn and progress or frontal
support
Concept of attracting inside to open space outside – finishing attacking actions with
emphasis on penetrating runs through outside corridors   

3. If there is no space, quick shift corridors and progress

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.    

3. Attention to when the ball is “covered” and “uncovered”

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.   

4. Defensive coverage when we defend near our own goal 

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

We do not retreat except in an exceptional containment situation to protect our goal.

Under normal conditions:  

We advance up in the field

We make it difficult for the opponent to re-organize
We anticipate
Set Pieces
In the framework of set pieces it is also possible to create associated behavioral
patterns.

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.

Next opponent: We expect our opponent to defend in a mid/low block, and to

reduce the space between lines and to try to utilize situations of fast attack when
recovering the ball. We have identified problems in their defensive shifting, the
protection of the lateral corridors and on their defensive set pieces.

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.

Moreover, during defensive transitions we must be well positioned to reduce the

time and space on the opponent. In the following pages we present a weekly
training plan (microcycle) based on these fundamentals and, consequently, the
exercises that reinforce it.
Coach ID App
- -

Training Day 1 – Game Day (+2)

Objective: Increase the speed in circulating the ball in

the 1st phase; find spaces to play inside
Regime: Tension/Endurance
Orientation: Active Recovery

EXERCISES
1. Rondos

Description: Rondo 6 (+1) v 2

Circulation of the ball with one player inside to facilitate inside circulation.
If a team is able to successfully complete 15 passes without losing the ball, the players
that are trying to intercept the ball inside the rondo must stay another round.

Rule: 1 touch per player

2. First phase of build up
Description: Construction in the 1st phase with numerical superiority (GK + 6 v 5). The
objective for the attacking team (orange) is to find space to progress through the outside
or to score in the small goal inside.

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.

Rules: frontal support players can only play 1 touch.  

- -

Training Day 2 – Game Day (-4)

Objective: Defensive Organization – pressing

mid/high; Recovery in the middle zone and exploiting
the inside/outside spaces: first support is inside and
finishing after crosses 
Regime: Tension (strength)

EXERCISES
1. Passing + transition with support: attract
inside to free space outside

Description: In a space of 15 x 15m, one team in numerical superiority (black) tries to

maintain possession with the help of two jokers who play outside and act as wingers.
When the defending team (orange) recovers the ball, they should quickly make a
transition pass into the outside space finding the striker as a reference. When the striker
receives the ball, players of the orange team should look to create width by occupying
different corridors. If a team is able to steal the ball and pass into the new space, the roles
of the teams reverse.

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.
- -

Training Day 3 – Game Day (-3)

Objective: Offensive organization – ball

movement while in possession in offensive half of pitch;
incorporating FB´s to create depth; creation of
shooting situations from outside
Regime: Endurance (resistance)

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

Description: Offensive/defensive exercise with quick adjustment to ball loss/recovery.

Team which recovers should “widen pitch”, in other words, have 4 players in support and
whoever loses the ball must “make the pitch compact" – come inside to recover the ball.
Use of 3 jokers to facilitate movement and are references for transition.
Success Criteria: Short pass combinations; constant passing lines for ball carrier;
inside/outside game; strong reaction to ball loss.
3. Inside play / Outside play

Description: 1st phase: 8 v 7 game with the objective of breaking opponent’s

final/defending line. For the greens, composed of midfielders and attackers, the pitch
becomes narrower towards the goal they are attacking – EMPHASIZING THE INSIDE
GAME OF THE ATTACKING MIDFIELDERS.
If orange team recovers the ball, they can finish in the 2 small goals.
2nd phase: For each interior action there should be an exterior action: outside defending
backs to give depth for long passes and should look to cross the ball. The circles
represent areas that must be occupied when there is a cross.
Success Criteria: Patience while in possession of the ball; force inside combinations with
short penetration runs to lose markers; quality in long passes; occupation of predefined
zones during crosses.
- -

Training Day 4 – Game Day (-2)

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

Description: Inter and intra-sectoral connections + offensive set pieces.

Small-sided game, 4 v 4 + GK. Teams divided by sector (Def/Mid/For), positionally adjust
according to the configuration that the coach establishes (1-2-1, 3-1, 2-2, etc.). After each
goal, the team that scored has one more chance through an offensive set piece with the
opponent marking man-to-man.
After each 3 minute period, the teams' functions change (the two teams which were
outside and participated in the man-marking of the set piece enter and the two teams in
the pitch exit).
4 games per team in total
Success Criteria: Speed in combination actions for finishing; Keeping the team organized
to force opponent to lose ball; Lose opponent man-markers with predefined movements
to attack aerial ball (offensive set pieces)
- -

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