CARLOS CARVALHAL !

Defensive Transition

Portuguese Soccer Coaches Forum!2013!

Carlos CarvalhalNationality: Portuguese;

Education: UEFA Pro; Physical Education

Degree - Speciality High Performance in Soccer;

Titles: 1 League Cup (Portugal);

Finalist: Portugal Cup and Portugal SuperCup;

Clubs Managed: Sp. Espinho; D. Aves; Leixões; V. Setúbal; Belenenses; Sp. Braga; Beira-Mar; Asteras Tripolis; Marítimo; Sporting CP; Besiktas e Istambul BB.

TRAINING DRILL #1 “8v2 with 5 teams of 2 players”

Description:

In a 10x10 meters square field, we play an 8v2 match involving 5 teams of 2 players each. To get out of the “middle” the two players try to recover and deliver to an outside player. The outside players try to circulate the ball playing one touch. Whoever lost possession tries to recover immediately.

Critical Success Factors:

Offensive Organization: widen the field and circulate the ball;

Offensive Transition: win possession and make the field wide;

Defensive Transition: try to recover possession as soon as lost - team that loses possession must react rapidly.

TRAINING DRILL #1 “8v2 with 5 teams of 2 players”

Description:

The coach plays the ball near the edge of the box and the player shoots on first touch; as soon as the player shoots he tries to prevent the player from the other line from shooting. This action is repeated. The objective is to improve the reacting capacity after shooting.

Critical Success Factors:

Shoot and react.

TRAINING DRILL #2 “1v1+Keeper with Defensive Transition”

TRAINING DRILL #2 “1v1+Keeper with Defensive Transition”

Description:

Field divided into 2 equal rectangles. Play 3v3 two touch game in one half of the field with the support of 4 external players. If the defending team recovers possession in the opponent’s field they try to keep it as they move to their own half. The team who lost possession in their own half try recover it before the opponent moves into their own half.

Critical Success Factors:

Provide feedback during the Defensive Transition;

Direct the drill to its objective;

As soon as possession is lost attempt to recover it.

TRAINING DRILL #3 “3v3 with 4 external supporting players”

TRAINING DRILL #3 “3v3 with 4 external supporting players”

Description:

Two touch game. Team that makes 6 consecutive passes score a point. A goal is worth 3 points. Team must react immediately upon losing possession. Keeper is included in the passes count. Offside starting at the edge of box.

Critical Success Factors:

Persist upon losing possession;

Constant pressure;

Compact defensively, and connected offensively;

High intensity.

TRAINING DRILL #4 “Keeper+5v5+Keeper”

TRAINING DRILL #4 “Keeper+5v5+Keeper”

Description:

3 attackers try to score vs. 2 defenders and a Keeper. Ball carrier must attack nearest defender, isolate him and then pass the ball. Right after this they change functions and become defenders, covering the 2 mini-goals at midfield facing 4 opponents.

Critical Success Factors:

Don’t have to react fast to possession lost, pressuring, if we are unbalanced and unable to do pressure;

React strongly to the space to be occupied;

After finishing, when switching functions, become compact and protect the two goals;

Understand the moment they must recover possession or recover the spaces quickly.

TRAINING DRILL #5 “3v2+Keeper & 4v3+2 mini-goals”

TRAINING DRILL #5 “3v2+Keeper & 4v3+2 mini-goals”

FINAL THOUGHTS (1 of 2)

Defensive Transition, the moment a team loses possession, is very difficult to train, requiring more detailed training. Players must be individually trained to transform those skills into collective. All players must have the same reaction in the game in this moment;

The Defensive Transition may not imply the immediate attempt to recover the ball;

The key is the reaction speed to the possession loss. It may be recovering possession, but it may also be to occupy the spaces.

FINAL THOUGHTS (2 of 2)

There are moments when it’s not possible to recover possession immediately, e.g. when there are too many defensive players after the ball;

The players must master some fundamental aspects of this critical moment;

Critical moment of the game. We are opening up the game while the opponent is narrowing the field becoming more compact. It’s a moment of change where there are unbalances as we lose possession;

Recovering the ball right after losing possession, we find the opponent transitioning from defense to offense, and when possession is recovered in that moment there are a lot of goals.

Reviews: !

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Subjects: !

Tactical Periodization

!Game Model

!Football (Soccer) Training

TACTICAL PERIODIZATION

A Practical Application for the Game Model of the

FC Bayern Munich of Jupp Heynckes (2013-14)

By !PEDRO MENDONÇA

Originally published in Portuguese Translated to English and Edited by Tony Almeida English version Co-Edited by Courtney Almeida