Manchester City and Pep Guardiola have done it again! In an amazing finish, they have conquered the Premier League once more, securing their fourth consecutive league title. Now it’s time for us to share with you two drills from the book “Pep Guardiola Case Study – How to Penetrate the Opponents’ Lines Following Positional Play Principles” by Athanasios Terzis!
The aim of this book, featuring a detailed case study on Manchester City and Pep Guardiola, is to focus on the positional style of play. It provides information on why this specific style is more effective than others, emphasizing how to move the ball to the free player between the opposition’s lines. This is achieved by following certain principles, synchronized movements, and combination play.
eBook – Pep Guardiola Case Study
How to penetrate the opponent´s lines following positional play principles. Learn why this specific style is more effective than the others. Over 75 pages, includes detailed explanations, specific drills and game situations!
Drill 1: Using good body shape and orientation to receive a third line pass
Objective
- Moving the ball to the free player between lines with a third line pass
Description
- Player D starts the drill by making a long ball towards player A.
- Player A receives and moves towards the side line, while player B shifts and receives the pass from A in front of the mannequin. By this way we replicate the defensive triangle created by the opposing team.
- As soon as B receives, player C opens up either towards left or right, in an effective supporting angle and with appropriate body orientation (half-turned). He receives the pass from B and immediately faces the play to score towards one of the mini goals.
- After this the players move one position forward.
The drill is carried out at the same time on both sides. This is not position specific drill as all players have to be trained in the principles of supporting the player in possession behind the line of pressure. However, it is a situation that mostly the players who play in central positions and between the lines usually face.
Coaching Points
- Good synchronization between players
- The principles of supporting play are applied
- High tempo
Drill 2: Moving the ball to a free player between lines by going around
Objective
- Moving the ball to the free player between lines by going around
Description
- This is a position specific drill and players should be put in their original positions.
- The coach starts the drill by playing the first pass to No6, who drops back and passes to the central defender (No5 or No4).
- The central defender directs the ball wide to the fullback and the last one either plays an inside pass to No6 (right side) who in the meantime enters the white central area, or turns and passes forward to the winger (left side).
- If the pass is played inside, No6 receives and then moves to the next step which is finding a way to direct the ball to the attacking midfielder (No10 or No8). This can be done with a direct third line pass, as the attacking midfielder opens up with good body shape and orientation, or through a third line pass to the winger who drops back to offer a passing option and then a back pass.
- If the fullback decides to direct the ball forward, the winger drops back at the right moment and plays a first time pass towards the inside for the attacking midfielder.
- The attacking midfielder, after receiving, tries to score against the GK.
Coaching Points
- Good synchronization between players
- The principles of supporting play are applied
- High tempo
More Analysis about Manchester City and Pep Guardiola
- The importance of space according to Pep Guardiola
- Pep Guardiola – The Tactical Mastermind
- Pep Guardiola’s Tactics at Manchester City – How to Overcome Pressing
- Pep Guardiola and coaching, an Interview with Athanasios Terzis
Article Photo – ph.FAB/Shutterstock.com
