POSTIONAL GAMES

The positional game is a training structure where the same exact details are practiced as in a rondo, but it is a progression of the rondos where the players learn the following:
  • Rational occupation of the playing space
  • Creating and taking advantage of superiorities in the different areas of play
  • Retaining possession of the ball but with greater directionality so as to progress up the field of play. Do not play to pass, but instead, players learn to dominate by knowing when to dribble and when to pass. We do not pass for the sake of passing.
  • Interior play (with pivots and players that play inside)
  • Spatial perception (game spaces) and temporal (timing)
  • The alternation between short and long game, understanding when, where and how to do it
  • Teamwork in the possession and recovery phases
  • Accuracy and speed in the combinative game
  • The concept of the 3rd man (also in the Rondos but much more in positional games). The concept of “free man” is fundamental. “Look from a distance”. Dribbling attracts opponents which produce the emergence of a “free men”.
  • Quick transition in phase changes (possession-recovery-possession)
  • The players are available in different areas of the pitch, thus facilitating the creation of passing lines.
  • It is essential to create width to generate interior corridors (either with wingers or with fullbacks)
Positional games differ from rondos in that they are more game related practices with more specific tactical elements that are being looked for both from a coaching perspective but also from a player learning point of view. A rondo is a small, compartmentalized look at a specific area or situation within the game, but positional games tend to be done in larger areas with more freedom of movement from the players both inside the area and those on the outside. A positional game may look like a rondo, as it’s done in a smaller area but the tactical aspects within the exercise are a lot more positional and tactically specific. A positional game can also be done with larger numbers and in larger areas of the field. A FC Barcelona favorite is 3v3 in a larger area, perhaps from the edge of the center circle to the edge of the box and would have players on the outside like a rondo. The players on the outside would normally now be in their positions and this exercise would be used to work on the three midfielders to focus on a couple of tactical concepts, such as switching play or finding the “free man” The main idea of it all is to generate superiorities behind the line that comes to pressure the player with the ball. It is essential that the superiorities are built from the back, starting at the first line. Therefore, a fundamental principle of this game idea is that the ball comes out clean from the defenders. As defense and attack are ideas that go together and not separated, the offensive idea is what conditions the rest of the game. The position game allows the players, the positions, and the ball to travel together. The result of this is that the team, when it loses the ball, is together and can press after losing it.

EXAMPLES OF POSITONAL GAMES

ANALYSIS OF A POSITIONAL GAME (4-v-4+3)
The following 4-v-4 + 3 positional game allows players to understand the principles of width, depth, and length to create passing angles and distances. Looking always to create diamond and triangle shapes in supporting each other to create numerical superiority.

Size of area depends on the ability and skill level of the players; the better they are the smaller the area. Can be 15 x 15 up to 25 x 25 or even larger. Pivot player (6) in particular has to have great composure on and off the ball for this to be successful

POSITIONAL GAME SET UP AND HOW IT MIRRORS THE 11 A SIDE GAME

11 A SIDE

4-v-4+3

The three neutral players maintain possession with the team on the outside. With the inside 4 team players we have a transition moment with the outside 4 team players when possession is lost to the 4 inside players.

Central player attracts pressure from opponents to create space outside. This is a big challenge for the central player (6) particularly so give every player the opportunity to be that player. Developing width, depth, and length.

Technical Aspects: Offensive

  • Head up
  • Body shape
  • Passing
  • Control
  • Moving to space
  • Open passing lanes
  • Communication

Tactical Aspects: Offensive

  • Keep possession
  • Passes to break lines
  • Play between the lines
  • 3rd man passing and movement
  • Progression outside to inside

Technical Aspects: Defensive

  • Body shape
  • Intercept or tackle
  • Communication
  • Press
  • Support
  • Cover

Tactical aspects: Defensive

  • Transition attack to defense
  • Mental change
  • Close down the spaces
  • Close passing lanes
  • Defensive team shape

UP, BACK AND THROUGH
Short pass to draw defenders to the ball to then do a long pass behind and beyond them. So (6) plays with closest player (9) to draw defenders to free the space for the deeper pass as shown.

DRAWING DEFENDERS APART TO OPEN UP PASSING LANES
Defenders press the wide players leaving the central players free. Red (10) is pressed by blue (7) who then passes to Black (5). (5) Passes to the other side and the defender (11) presses red (8) as shown which opens up the central space for (6) receiving the pass back to (5) who now plays to (6) to play to (9).

SEEING THE GAME IN TRIANGLES AND DIAMONDS
Outside players always moving to create passing lanes and angles of support. Playing “around” the defenders; preferably ONE touch.

PRESSING TO INTERCEPT OR FORCE A BAD PASS
Defenders must work hard and press as fast as possible to force opponents into errors.

MENTAL TRANSITON
Players often struggle with the mental transitions from defending to attacking as possession changes; but especially when the change is from attacking to defending. So, the coach must emphasize the importance of rapid physical transition and fast movement as well as mental transition (sprints inside to out and outside to in). This maintains a high tempo on transition as it should be in a game situation. We play as we train. Players need that intrinsic desire to make this happen for themselves though.

CHANGING POSSESSION
Under pressure (6) makes a bad pass and the defender intercepts the ball. When the 4 inside defending players win the ball, they switch with the outside 4 players to become offensive players.

MENTAL AND PHYSICAL TRANSITION
This equates to immediate pressing from attacking mode to defensive mode to win the ball back as soon as possible. Also equates to the defending team; now the attacking team; working hard to KEEP possession at the same time. Rotate players positions so all get the chance to be neutral players.

CHANGING POSSESSION
Here we show the switch. Speed of thought is vital now. Players must change from winning or losing the ball with a switch in mentality and physicality immediately; both in mind and deed.

OUTSIDE PLAYERS ROTATE
Have the outside players now rotate so the inside player has to have even more of a good peripheral vision. Now attacking players enter the defending area from different points.

PIVOT PLAYER ROTATES OFF THE BALL
Keep adding to the session with different ideas. This would happen in a game where players rotate positions.

ADD POLES AS A DISTRACTION
The Poles represent defenders so if the central player hits a pole with a pass the two teams of 4 immediate switch (as it is the same as giving possession away). Now players move into open passing lanes based on the pole’s as well as the defenders. A Much bigger challenge to keep the ball now.

WIDE PLAYERS
Focusing on red right and left fullbacks and red right and left strikers and the central theme of black (5), (6) and (9).

ADD IN THE GOALKEEPER 
Now the keeper is included connecting with the red center backs (4) and (5).

PRESSING WIDE AND PLAYING CENTRALLY
Defenders press the wide players leaving the central players free.

CREATING 3-v-2 SITUATIONS
Building from the back with (K) and red center backs (4) and (5). Building from the middle with red (6), (8) and (10).

CREATING 4-v-2 SITUATIONS
Creating two 4 v 2 situations and dividing the field up, red pivot (6) being the catalyst and connecting player.

TWO PLAYERS CENTRALLY
Now we have 2 players centrally against 4 defenders. You can vary the set up also depending on the number of players you have so everyone is involved. The main session requires 11 players but sometimes you have more and sometimes fewer numbers so you must be able to adjust as necessary.

CONCLUSION
Positional games are playgrounds and as a coach, you are free to adapt and modify any positional game you wish to create the desired coaching outcome.