1. MSc Juan Luis Delgado MODEL OF GAME = STYLE OF PLAY (INDIVIDUAL& TEAM TACTICAL BEHAVIOR)

3. In youth level the model of the game should be just a tool to allow the prospective players to reach all their potential, where performance is evaluated by the realization of training aims (player-centered approach).

5. If we analyze the evolution of the players and the game during the last ten years, we can realize that everything is faster. It means that we should prepare our players to think and act much faster.

7. MSc Juan Luis Delgado Principles of Game Principles of the game (generals & specifics) are the behaviors and patterns that the we want to see reflected by our players and teams during the different moments and phases of the game. These behaviors and patterns articulated together are going to make our identity signs or “Functional Organization”

9. Defensive Moment (off the ball)

10. Transition from Attack to Defense (losing the ball)

11. Transition from Defense to Attack (regaining the ball)

13. MSc Juan Luis Delgado Attacking Moment (General Tactical Principles) To develop an “attacking plan” with 3 stages: Building up, Penetration in the last third, and Finishing. Building up (from goalkeeper, back 4 or after transition): Using different paces of the ball (variation between long and short passes and ball’s speed, circulation instead of running with the ball, playing from side to side/wide and depth , positional mobility/changing positions constantly). Penetration: Creating spaces (spread out) width and depth, with an effective positional shape (triangles and diagonals). Using the spaces: finding out the “disorganization moment” to pass the ball through the space created. Finnishing: "timing” (choosing the right time); zones (reaching “finishing positions”).

15. Collective Positional Organization, closing spaces and lines (width and depth); using space near and far away from the ball (covering each other near and far away from the ball).

16. Taking the opponent to play where we want (side or central areas).Using the space and time depending of mates and opponents positioning and characteristics. Developing an “defending plan” with 3 stages: High pressure, Defending as a unit, and Defending our own goal.

17. MSc Juan Luis Delgado Transition from Attack to Defense (General Tactical Principles) When we lose the possession, we will try to regain it by pressing the opponent on the ball and his nearest space, taking advantage of the opponent's offensive disruption. If we have not chance to regain the ball we will try to win time to organize yourself.(wide and depth) Avoiding the opponent playing forward and do not allow them to play “inside” our team. We can do “fault as a tactical tool” to stop the opponent’s counterattack.

18. MSc Juan Luis Delgado Transition from Defenseto Attack (General Tactical Principles) When we get the ball back, we should to take advantage of opponent’s lack of organization, to try score as soon as possible. Changing attitude quickly (from defensive to offensive), “opening the field” in width and depth and “passing forward” if is possible. If is not possible to play forward, we should pass the ball outside of “pressure zone” in order to ensure ball possession.

19. Moments of Game (General Tactical Principles) center wide center wide Training 1st third Training 2nd third Training 3rd third Defending Own Goal Defending as a unit Pressing Building up Ball Possession Penetration Finishing Situations Transition Transition Transition wide wide MSc Juan Luis Delgado

21. Second third (Penetration & Defending as a Unit)

22. Last Third (Finishing Situations & High Pressure)

24. Phases of Game (Specific Tactical Principles) center wide center wide center wide Training 1st third Training 2nd third Training 3rd third Defending Own Goal Defending as a unit Pressing Building up Ball Possession Penetration Finishing Situations Transition Transition Transition wide wide wide MSc Juan Luis Delgado

25. MSc Juan Luis Delgado Playing Systems (Structural Organization) Structural organization is the initial positioning that we are going to use, it’s our playing system(1-4-3-3, 1-4-4-2, 1-3-4-3, …). It has to foster with the L.T.A.D., Principles of game(generals and specifics) and Individual characteristics and capacities. We should “teach” our players to know how to play in at least 3 different positions for every playing system, “avoiding an early specialization”. It will ensure our players are expose to different game situations (variability of motor patterns), providing them the opportunity to improve their “Technical ”, “Physical” and “Tactical” skills.

27. How many players do we want to be involved in the different moments and phases ?

28. Where we want to regain the ball?

29. Which possible variations we should take in case of special factors (weather and field conditions, temporary result, player sending off…)?The answer to these questions will depend on several things (age, skill level, individual needs…).

30. MSc Juan Luis Delgado Tactical Functions (Individual Tactical Behavior) Each player should carry out defensive and offensive functions. It will be just a “guide” to help him in making better decisions. We must encourage them to be creative and to fell free and self-responsible inside the field. Inthe same way we should provide them “positional references” depending where ball is located. As a coaches, during the game, we will focus our feedback on these “tactical behaviors”, to assess decision making processes instead on technical executions.

31. MSc Juan Luis Delgado Training Model (Tactical Periodization) “Technical Staff, as a responsible of all the training process have to know the aims, loads and effects of all their exercises, then they are able to choose the proper one in the proper moment” (Van Gaal, 1997). Our aim is to improve our “players skills” and their “knowledge” about the game, then we have to design exercises to achieve these standards. Each “Tactical Exercise” should be created in order to train a certain tactical principle. Tactical and Technical Periodization must be “fitted” and “integrated” within Physiological Periodization. Such approach will allow us to improve our players performance in a general and specific manner (game related). To organize training exercises and sessions in this way we must take into consideration which physiological mechanisms are being trained while we doing any tactical or technical exercise.

33. Intensity

34. Distance

35. Density (space/number of players)

36. Recovery (series, exercises, sessions)5. Team work between Coaches, S&C and Performance Enhancement staff is vital to design and apply an “Optimal Periodization” in order to help our players to reach their full potential. Each expert has to be decision maker in his area of expertise.

37. The ultimate measure of a man is not where he stands in moments of comfort and convenience, but where he stands at times of challenge and controversy. Martin Luther King Jr. MSc Juan Luis Delgado THANKS A LOT juanluisdelgado@hotmail.com