Authors note: All the drills were influenced and based on Pep Guardiola’s and Jose Mourinho’s

playing philosophy but they are not extracted by any training session of these two TOP managers.

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CONTENTS

1. Positional Game 3 v 3 + 3 Neutrals (Pep guardiola) .......................................................................... 3

2. Positional Game 5 v 5 + 3 Neutrals (Pep Guardiola) ......................................................................... 5

3. Passing Drill – in X shape (Pep Guardiola) ........................................................................................... 7

4. Possession & Ball recovery in a 3 teams 2 zones game (JOSE MOURINHO) ................................. 9

6. High press - Block forward passes – SSG 8 v 8 (Jose Mourinho)................................................... 13

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 1. POSITIONAL GAME 3 V 3 + 3 NEUTRALS (PEP GUARDIOLA)

Description:

Area 15m x 25m. The team in possession always has 2 players wide in each wide line representing
the width we wish to have during possession. In each side there is a 2 v 2 + 2 neutrals situation.
The central neutral can move in either side. The 4 defenders should attempt to recover the ball.
The 3 neutral players have to support the team in possession to maintain possession of the ball. In
the event of a ball loss or interception, the 3 neutral players do not press but assist the new team in
possession to keep the ball. Blues and reds change roles with a quick transition. The team that
loses the ball must quickly press to recover it back. The aim of the team in possession is to transfer
the ball to the other side but only through the central blue area. This will enforce the game through
central channels and avoid the passes with limited options between the wide players.

Objective:

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  Maintain ball possession. Get a point when moving the ball from side to side
 The defending team to recover the ball, pass to a neutral outside (representing a transition
to attack)

Coaching points:

 Body profile and using the back foot to pass and receive the ball
 Change of mindset during transitions
 Movements to offer support
 Diagonal passing
 Inside players offering support by playing in the gaps

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 2. POSITIONAL GAME 5 V 5 + 3 NEUTRALS (PEP GUARDIOLA)

Description:

Area 20m x 35m. The team in possession always has 4 players wide and one in the center
representing the width we wish to have during possession. The players outside can be the 2
fullbacks and the two wingers. The 5 defenders should attempt to recover the ball. The 3 neutral
players have to support the team in possession to maintain possession of the ball. In the event of a
ball loss or interception, the 3 neutral players do not press but assist the new team in possession to
keep the ball. Blues and reds change roles with a quick transition. The team that loses the ball must
quickly press to recover it back.

Objective:

 Maintain ball possession. Get a point when moving the ball from side to side
 The defending team to recover the ball, pass to a neutral outside (representing a transition
to attack)

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Coaching points:

 Body profile and using the back foot to pass and receive the ball
 Change of mindset during transitions
 Movements to offer support
 Diagonal passing
 Inside players offering support by playing in the gaps

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 3. PASSING DRILL – IN X SHAPE (PEP GUARDIOLA)

ST

FB

CB/D
M

Description:

Area 40m x 40m. The whole team can do the drill at the same time. Have at least 2 players on each
of the cones and the rest of the team can start from the initial point. The number of balls that will
be circulated simultaneously depends on the intensity the coach wants for the drill. Start with
dribbling through the small red gate and then pass to the furthest player on the side, the winger.
The winger then will pass back to the full-back who will then set a pass to the striker to bring the
ball back with dribbling and passing.

When the player on the starting point receives the vertical pass from the play who comes from the
other side, the first touch must be directional to the side he wants to go. Having 4 – 5 balls at the
same time is optimal.

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Objective:

 Pass and move to the next cone. Pass the ball representing a combination between a center
back, a winger and a full back or any other combination with similar positioning
 When the ball will return to the initial point, there is a possibility that other players or balls
will travel on the same channels, so the players needs to be aware when to pass, receive
and run on the central channel

Coaching points:

 Body profile and using the back foot to pass and receive the ball
 Accurate pass towards the teammate proper foot
 Make a dismarking movement before receiving the ball
 Quality lay off pass from the winger to the full back
 Awareness when brining the ball back through the central channel

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 4. POSSESSION & BALL RECOVERY IN A 3 TEAMS 2 ZONES GAME (JOSE
MOURINHO)

Description:

Area 30 x 40m divided in two equal zones. We have three teams with 5 players. Of course, this
can be vary depending on the team’s available players. The drill starts in one zone with 2 teams.
The team in possession must complete 8 consecutive passes (this can also vary depending on the
player’s skills) and then pass the ball to the opposite side. If the defenders recover the ball, they
have to quickly pass the ball to the other side and stay in the box. The team who loses possession
must quickly go to the other side to press (become defenders representing the transition into
defense).

Progression: In order to make the drill more realistic, add 1 – 2 neutrals inside a middle zone.
That will help the team who recovers the ball to not just kick the ball forward but to try to make a
quick forward pass to a targeted man like the players will do when they recover the ball and the
play forward pass to the center forward. So, after ball recovery, a switch of play can be done only

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by the central players. Also, the team in possession after completing 8 passes can pass the ball to
the opposite side only through the central players.

Objective:

 1 v 1 dribbling, show confidence to beat the opponent

 Go fast on the opponent but make the dribble before being too close. Do not slow done
 When playing with back, make feints to create space to receive a pass either to feet or ask
the ball behind the defender in the space

Coaching points:

 Speed
 Understand in what distance should the dribble be done as to pass the defender
 Use multiple ways to dribble (player’s creativity)
 Change direction without the ball to create space to receive the pass
 Winning mentality

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 5. QUICK REACTIONS - TRANSITION TO ATTACK AND DEFENSE - POSSESSION
GAME 9 V 9 (JOSE MOURINHO)

Description:

Area 25 x 25 m two teams of 8 players + 2 GKs are playing a possession game that leads to a
finishing action. The team in possession with the help of the two GKs tries to keep the ball. 4
players of the team are located on the sidelines. For every 8 consecutive passes, they get 1 point.
If the defending team recovers the ball they can score in any of the two official gates. Due to the
fact that only 4 players are inside, they must quickly transition to score by utilizing the players
located next to the gates. Pass and run forward to support. The team that loses the ball they should
immediately press to recover it and continue the possession game.

Rules:

1. White players are limited to 2 touches (as to enhance the loss of possession to appear the
transition moments)
2. If the team in possession recovers the ball within 6 seconds after losing it they will get 1
point extra

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 3. The players of the team in possession when the ball is lost can enter the pitch to press

Coaching points:

 Quick change of mind to transition into attack or defense

 Aggressive when pressing
 Communication to press collectively

Variations:

1. Change the player’s roles by time (sets)

2. Change the player’s roles by action: If the team that recovers the ball manages to score,
they become the team in possession and the game continues.

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 6. HIGH PRESS - BLOCK FORWARD PASSES – SSG 8 V 8 (JOSE MOURINHO)

Description:

In a 30 x 40 m area we have 2 teams with 6 v 6 + 2 GKs. In the area there are 5 small gates with
cones. The formation of the teams selected is based on the team’s general tactical structure (2 – 3
– 1, 3 – 3, 4 – 2, etc.) This is a high-intensity drill so the duration of each set and the exercise
duration should be taken into account.

Objective:

 Work on a high press mentality and prevent forward passes or dribbling from the
opponents.

Rules:

1. A pass to a teammate through small gate counts for 1 point

2. If a player dribbles through small gate counts for 2 points
3. A goal scored counts for 3 points

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All of the different ways to score will force the defending team to apply very aggressive and intense
pressure.

Coaching Points:

 Patience and perception of the right moment for the defender to dribble forward
 Quality in the first touch for good driving of the ball inside the box.
 Use the back foot and body profile
 Head up to recognize the teammate’s and opponents’ position in the pitch
 Defenders while driving should pass the ball to score opposite or when an opponent steps
up to press them (not earlier)

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