ERIC TENLLADO

@Tenllado7 POSITIONAL GAME – MODULE 2.1 [email protected]

FROM THE MAIN PRINCIPLES TO THE KEY CONCEPTS

Eric Tenllado – © 2018. Protected by copyright. Do not distribute or use without prior authorization
 POSITIONAL GAME – MODULE 2.1

TABLE OF CONTENTS

Introduction………………………………………………………………………………………………………………….. 3
Principles
Move the Ball to Move the Opponent……………………………………………………………………….. 7
Playing with the Open Player…………………………………………………………………………………….. 8
The Third Man……………………………………………………………………………………………………………. 12
Maintain Functional Distances with Teammates in a Rational Occupation of Space…… 22
Understand the Game Space……………………………………………………………………………………… 29
Generate Advantageous Contexts……………………………………………………………………………… 36

Positioning

Centre Backs………………………………………………………………………………………………………………. 45
Full Backs……………………………………………………………………………………………………………………. 54
Centre Midfielders……………………………………………………………………………………………………… 58
Attacking Midfielders…………………………………………………………………………………………......... 66
Wingers……………………………………………………………………………………………………………………... 69
Forwards…………………………………………………………………………………………………………………… 76
 INTRODUCTION

EVERYTHING STARTS WITH THE BALL 3

“But today it's time to kiss Mr. Luis Aragones. And give him a hug. And I dare to do it without knowing him….For believing in something.
• For believing that "we do not know how it ends but that everything starts with the ball". Because nobody knows how things end. But we know how we
want to start them.
• For believing, that since we are very small, it is good to get together around the ball.
• For believing in something, in which nobody or very few believed: that the ball passes through Xavi, Senna, Albelda [the importance of the CMs
organizing the build up].
• For believing that in the place where everyone puts two defensive midfielders to give balance, we put one (Xabi Alonso) just because that one will make
them both run. And by the way, we have more balance.
• For thinking that the first thing is the ball and then everything else [opponents and teammates]. By thinking first of you and then of Shevchenko [CBs
focusing first on the build up].
• For believing that the legs are used in the back (Puyol, Pablo, Sergio Ramos) and in front (Villa, Torres) to be faster. And for believing that in the middle
(Xavi and others) the ball is used to be faster. For touching the ball a lot and having it a little time (Thank you Juanma for the suggestion).
• For believing Mr. Aragones, master of the counterattack, that playing something more than counterattack [Positional Game] knowing that counterattack
opportunities will present themselves.
For all this, I would like Mr. Aragones to give you another kiss and another hug in the next game. Now I send him the one I promised you. And I still dare
to do it. For the love of football. For the Quinta del Buitre and for Cruyff.”
Letter from Guardiola to Luis Aragones. Published in a Spanish Newspaper in 2007.
 INTRODUCTION

THE POSITIONAL GAME IS INIESTA 4

“For me the Positional Game is Iniesta. It is about providing time, space and better circumstances to the teammate you are passing the
ball to. It is to understand the sense of all relationships with the teammates, to begin to spread out to get together in the right places. It is
the discovery of the meaningful content of my intervention with the ball. It is to value that with my non-intervention I facilitate certain
things to my teammates.”
Oscar Cano asked about what is Positional Game.

“Iniesta passes the ball to you as when any father plays tennis for the first time with his youngest child and sends the ball every time to
the right place with the right strength so that the child can return it, because it is about making it easy for the child to touch the ball with
the racket and have fun.
Well, Iniesta does the same thing, but playing in the elite with those of the highest elite. With his passes, Andres says: "Take it, do what
you want and enjoy", while the majority in football says: "take it, do what you can". With his pass he is telling his teammate where the
conversation should continue, that is, the game. "
Francisco Seirul·lo asked about the complexity of the game and talking about Iniesta.
PRINCIPLES

5
 PRINCIPLES

POSITIONAL GAME MAIN PRINCIPLES 6

Maximize the Recover the ball

number of our immediately where
players around the it was lost and
BECOME AWARE OF THE NEXT ball in the where we are
MOMENT. opponent’s half. together. TO MAINTAIN FUNCTIONAL DISTANCES
DURING THE ATTACK PROCESS I AM WITH TEAMMATES IN A RATIONAL
GENERATING FUTURE DEFENSIVE ALWAYS TAKING THE INITIATIVE OCCUPATION OF SPACE
CONDITIONS AND VICE VERSA
Manage the tempo of the
game to destabilize the
opponent’s organization
while maintaining our own.
 PRINCIPLES

MOVING THE BALL TO MOVE THE OPPONENT 7

“It's not about moving the ball, it's about moving the opponents”
Pep Guardiola

1. The possession is the tool that allows us to play with the opponent’s intention and behaviours.

• As a team we will take the initiative of the game in possession, where the established sequences are not based on a simple
succession of passes.

• The purpose is to organize ourselves while we disorganize the opponent. Moving the ball, we are hiding our intentions from
our opponents and trying to fake them from one side to finish the play from the other flank.

• We must move the ball until we find the gaps to move forward and penetrate the defensive shape.

• The passing lines and gaps are constantly opening and closing, and the players have to be able to create and recognize them.

• It is also important to overload one zone to attract pressure on it or to create distraction movements from some players to
attract the opponent’s attention and create space in other areas with less players to unbalance the opponent’s organization.
 PRINCIPLES

PLAYING WITH THE OPEN PLAYER 8

“A player becomes an open player when he/she receives the ball, without direct opposition, and also has a lot of time and space to generate
new things. The main objective of the Positional Game is to find [or generate] an open player behind the opponent’s pressure line”
Juanma Lillo
 PRINCIPLES

PLAYING WITH THE OPEN PLAYER 9

It is necessary to differentiate the occasions in which the open player appears by the own development of the game, in which:

1. Finding the open player: The player is open because their direct opponent is far away.

 The open player can appear during the game based on different formations used by each team

2. Generating the open player: By constructed conducts we find the open player.

 We can provoke and create open players by the individual principles and team interactions:

As Oscar Cano said, one of the roles of the possessor of the ball is to attract pressure on the ball in order to remove the direct
opponent from your teammate who you want to pass the ball or, at least, distance him/her from the opponent to provide more
space and time.

 For instance, the technical action of running with the ball allows the team in possession to pursue the tactical intention to
generate an open player through attracting pressure on the ball. Here it becomes imperative that the possessor identify the
open player and this player recognizes himself/herself as open as well.

• Whereas in the first occasion it is an open player, in the second that open player is generated.
 PRINCIPLES

PLAYING WITH THE OPEN PLAYER 10

Generating the Open Player

"In football each one is in charge of one player except the 2v1 of the center backs against the center forward, of each team. We
start from our 2v1 and one of the centre backs leaves running with the ball to the opponent’s goal, causing an opponent to come
out to impede his progression, generating an open player“.
Pep Guardiola.

“You have to provoke situations where an opponent from the next line comes out, and so you can create numerical superiority“.
Juan Manuel Lillo.

"This game consists of generating superiorities behind the line that presses you”.
JM Lillo.

"Looking for the open player is, for example, that the centre back has the ball and one of them is always open because you always
have one defender more than the opponent’s strikers. In that case, Puyol goes up, up and up until an opponent comes up. If the one
who tries to stop him is my direct opponent, then the open player happens to be me. If Iniesta’s direct opponent comes up to him,
Andrés is the open player. And so we seek superiority in any area of the field. You make a three against two, you win and you have
the open player. We advance positions”.
Xavi Hernandez.
*If you are interested to find more details about the open player and how to generate it, it is broken down in depth in Module 1.
 PRINCIPLES

PLAYING WITH THE OPEN PLAYER 11

• The concept of playing with the open player is the maximum degree of Positional Superiority that exists in football. That is why
finding or generating the open player is the main goal of the Positional Game.

• Of course, it will be key to find it in advantageous positions, mainly ahead of the ball line, as it is fundamental to find/generate
the open player in situations in which he/she is capable of creating imbalances in the opponent’s shape to destabilize their
collective organization. Mainly behind the pressure line.

• Our Goalkeeper will be open most of the time and must be an option behind the ball line to play back if needed or to create
Numerical Superiority when building up from the back, but it would not be a good idea to play to them all the time just because
they are the open player, as we want to progress on the field and get into the opponent’s half.

 There are plenty of details on how to find the open player in the following stages of the current Module and more information
can be found in Module 1.
 PRINCIPLES

THE THIRD MAN 12

• The third man is the main concept to create superiorities in the Positional Game.

• One of the keys to maintaining possession of the ball and penetrating the opponent’s shape is the appearance of structures
where the 'third man' can participate.

• The appearance of this player is not easy. Players must recognize the spaces they can take advantage of and their teammates
must know how to create them.

• In addition, it requires perfect coordination between teammates for a proper execution, along with structured and
coordinated mobility.

• It consists of skipping one offensive line by passing the ball to the third line and back to the second line to attack facing the net:
“Up, back and through”.

“As soon as you get the ball, watch the depth and forward player. If there isn’t space to go forward, pass to the sides but first check
the forward space.” Cruyff to Guardiola

• It Helps to Prevent Counterattacks.

- If we lose the ball we still have players behind it to be ready to defend and get the ball back.
 PRINCIPLES

THE THIRD MAN

DESCRIPTION OF THE SITUATION
Players must recognize the spaces they can take advantage of and their
teammates must know how to create them in a perfect coordination
Messi
DESCRIPTION OF THE CONCEPT (FW)

“The third man is impossible to defend, it is impossible.”

Xavi Hernandez
Xavi
(CM)

“Imagine Pique (CB) looking to play with me (CM), but I'm marked, I have a
defender on me. Well, it is clear that Pique can not pass it to me, it is evident Pique
that I move away and I take the opponent with me. (CB)
Then Messi (FW) comes down and becomes the second man. Pique is the first
man, Messi is the second and I am the third. I have to be very careful. Pique
then plays with the second man, with Messi, and at that moment I appear,
leaving nailed my defender and receiving the ball completely unmarked. If the
player who is defending me is looking at the ball, he can not see how I set
myself apart: then I appear and I am the third man.
We have already achieved superiority. This is indefensible.”
@Tenllado7 13
 PRINCIPLES

THE THIRD MAN 14

TOURE AND DE BRUYNE CREATING SPACE, AS POTENTIAL

THIRD MAN, TO ALLOW THE INTERACTION BETWEEN THE
POSSESSOR, AS A FIRST MAN, AND THE FORWARD AS A
SECOND MAN

Toure - CM

First Man

De Bruyne- RAM
@Tenllado7
@Tenllado7
 PRINCIPLES

THE THIRD MAN 15

TOURE AND DE BRUYNE CREATING SPACE FOR THE

INTERACTION BETWEEN THE POSSESSOR, AS A FIRST
MAN, AND THE FORWARD AS A SECOND MAN

Third Man
Second Man
First Man

De Bruyne- RAM

@Tenllado7
 PRINCIPLES

THE THIRD MAN 16

EXAMPLE OF HOW TO
ANALYZE THE PLAYER’S ROLES
AND RESPONSIBILITIES BY
HAVING THE BALL AS A MAIN
REFERENCE AND ACTING
FROM THEIR POSITION

ZONE 3

COOPERATION ZONE

ZONE 2

MUTUAL HELP ZONE

PLAYER ON THE BALL:

INTERVENTION ZONE
 PRINCIPLES

THE THIRD MAN 17

ROLES TAKING THE BALL AS A MAIN REFERENCE AND ACTING FROM YOUR POSITION

PLAYER ON THE BALL OR INTERVENTION ZONE MUTUAL HELP ZONE COOPERATION ZONE
(1st Man) (3rd Man) (2nd Man)

“As soon as you get the ball, watch the depth and The closest players to the ball (mutual help zone) must be The far players on the field, taking the ball as a reference
forward player. If there isn’t space to go forward pass an option to receive the ball and create space to the must be ready to join the action providing support. It can
to the sides but first check the forward space“ player on the ball. They attract defenders and can create be creating space for their teammates (fixing opponents)
Promote the forward play to penetrate and break space behind them to promote forward passes . or supporting the player with the ball moving in to the
defending lines. Becomes transcendental to attack the space behind the space.
opponent when the first player passes the ball to the Becomes really important the time to show on the ball
second player (far one). and the body shape to prevent the opponent from
anticipating.
 PRINCIPLES

THE THIRD MAN

DESCRIPTION OF THE SITUATION
One of the keys to maintaining possession of the ball and penetrating the
opponent’s shape is the appearance of structures where the 'third man' can
participate. THIRD
LINE
DESCRIPTION OF THE CONCEPT 2ND MAN

The appearance of structures to facilitate the participation of the third man are
SECOND
provided by the individual foundations for the players off the ball.
LINE
3RD MAN 3RD MAN
Those individual foundations are the following ones:

• Player positioned on the second line must be diagonal from the ball. BALL LINE
1ST MAN
1. To open the forward space to the player in possession of the ball and
promote forward play by passing or running with the ball.

2. To expand their own visual field and be able to get more information
about their surroundings while being an option for the possessor.

• Player positioned in the third line must provide an option in the same
vertical channel where the ball is.
@Tenllado7 18
 PRINCIPLES

THE THIRD MAN 19

BENFICA’S PLAYERS ACTING BY THE INIDIVIDUAL

FOUNDATIONS TO FACILITATE THE APPEARANCE OF THE
STRUCTURES WHERE THE THIRD MAN CAN PARTICIPATE
 PRINCIPLES

THE THIRD MAN

DESCRIPTION OF THE SITUATION
One of the keys to maintaining possession of the ball and penetrating the
opponent’s shape is the appearance of structures where the 'third man' can
participate.

DESCRIPTION OF THE CONCEPT 2ND MAN

This structure provide various options to the possessor of the ball:

1. Run forward with the ball and attract one of the opponents thereby 3rd MAN
3rd MAN
generating a teammate to be unmarked and passing the ball to the open
player.

2. Pass to the 2nd Man, breaking the opponent’s pressure line 1ST MAN

• When the ball is travelling from the 1st Man to the 2nd Man, the players
who are a 3rd Man on the graphic must win the space to their direct
opponent by getting in behind them while they are watching the ball
travel.

• The 2nd Man will have two options to play in front and attack facing the
net.
@Tenllado7 20
 PRINCIPLES

THE THIRD MAN

DESCRIPTION OF THE SITUATION
One of the keys to maintaining possession of the ball and penetrating the
opponent’s shape is the appearance of structures where the 'third man' can
participate.
2ND MAN
DESCRIPTION OF THE CONCEPT
It is key to differentiate between the individual foundations of the players
on/off the ball with random and traditional coach’s messages as: 3RD MAN
3RD MAN
“Let’s focus on make triangles on the field”
1ST MAN
“Let’s play with the diamond”

We don’t want to create triangles and diamonds but those geometrical shapes
will be the consequence of the correct application of the individual foundations
by the players off the ball taking the ball as a main reference and acting from TRIANGLES STRUCUTRE HELP THE TEAM TO KEEP POSSESSION AS THE POSSESSOR
ALWAYS HAVE TWO OPTIONS TO PASS THE BALL. THE DIAMOND ADDS ONE MORE
their position. OPTION TO PASS FORWARD AND USE THE THIRD MAN. BUT THE PRIORITY IS NOT TO
CREATE THESE STRUCTURES BUT TO APPLY THE INDIVIDUAL FOUNDATIONS. PLAYERS
Also, it is simpler for players to follow the individual foundations as they just MUST UNDERSTAND THE INDIVIDUAL FOUNDATIONS AND THEN THE STRUCTURE WILL
need to focus on the ball as a main reference and position themselves properly APPEAR ITSELF
based on their role and what zone they are in (mutual help or cooperation); in
contrast, to create a diamond or a triangle a player must see where the ball is @Tenllado7 21
and where the other players are, so it means more points of reference, more
time spent and a slower decision making process.
 PRINCIPLES

MAINTAIN FUNCTIONAL DISTANCES WITH TEAMMATES IN A RATIONAL OCCUPATION OF SPACE 22

It is very important to create an organizational structure that allows:

• A good collective distribution of space.

• To generate advantageous contexts for our players.
• To anticipate answers.
• To facilitate the interpretation that allows us to adapt to the purposes of the
opponent.

“The organization of the team is very important. It is key for the possessor to
know, without looking, that there is a teammate to pass the ball or to be
supported”.
Jose Mourinho.

• This structure acts as a construction of the relationship distances in a collective

sense and which are expressed and moved according to the different
parameters of the game's elements: ball, teammates, opponents, game space
and goal.

"You have to occupy the correct positions;

the positions depend on where the ball is”.
Pep Guardiola.
 PRINCIPLES

MAINTAIN FUNCTIONAL DISTANCES WITH TEAMMATES IN A RATIONAL OCCUPATION OF SPACE 23

This organizational structure has two aspects:

1. Organization: The way players occupy the spaces based on the numerical and positional references we give them.

• The distances are not immovable. They imply flexibility and diversity of coordination.
• Maintain the organizational structures that enable processes ordered according to the circumstances.
• Recognition of positional references.
• Separate conveniently to unbalance distances between opponents.
• Situate at different heights and axes offering different lines of progression
• Knowledge of beneficiary-benefactor duality

2. Functionality: The game regularities that emerge from the interactions which occur between the players.

• The identity of the team game emerges from its tactical regularities.
• Associations and interactions that we detect in a team, such as their particular way of organizing.
• It is what the players do together and as a team numerous times.
 PRINCIPLES

MAINTAIN FUNCTIONAL DISTANCES WITH TEAMMATES IN A RATIONAL OCCUPATION OF SPACE 24

Organization vs Functionality

Field 1 Field 2 Same Organization but Different Functionality

Neymar Messi Robben Bale Drogba Figo

Iniesta De Bruyne Isco James

Busquets Casemiro
Marcelo Alves Azpilicueta Arbeloa

Bartra Pique Ferdinand Terry

Ter Stegen Casillas

Field 1 and Field 2 present different formations so there are different organization Same organization and formation but different functionality as a consequence of
structures which means the positional and numerical references will change. It is not playing different players with different characteristics between the field on the left
the same to play with 3 CBs than a line of 4 defenders. Is not the same to position 1 side and the one on the right side. There are many different factors that can change
CM than use 2. It is different to play with 2 AM than just 1 and the same with the FW the dynamic of the team synergies by positioning players in certain positions.
players.
 PRINCIPLES

ORGANIZATION vs FUNCTIONALITY
DESCRIPTION OF THE SITUATION
Same organization and formation but different functionality as a consequence
of playing different players with different characteristics . Are they
short or long
DESCRIPTION OF THE CONCEPT FBs?
What spaces
GK: Ter Stegen allows us to play from the back and start a well and clean build Are their
will they Is the main goal to compensate the
up process because of his quality with the ball at his feet whereas Casillas will strengths
occupy in strengths or weaknesses of the players
be an option to emphasize the security in net but won’t allow you to start the more related
the in the sides and in front or to
possession process in the same way. to the
possession complement them? possession
moment?
CBs: Pique and Bartra are players recognized for their good understanding of moment or
Do we have
the game and to help the team to build up from the back whereas Terry and out of
to
Ferdinand have strengths related to the defensive phase where they are good possession?
compensate Are the strengths of our CBs more
in anticipation, marking, defending aerial balls, etc. the spaces related to what they do with the ball in
they will their feet or what they do when the
FBs: To have players such as Marcelo or Alves will have consequences on leave? team is out of possession?
balance due to compensating the spaces they leave when in possession as their
characteristics allow them to bring lots of good interactions on the opponent’s
half whereas Arbeloa and Azpilicueta are players with strengths more related to What profile does our GK have?
the defensive moment and providing balance to the team while in possession. Is he/she good in net?
Is he/she good with his/her feet and playing outside
CM: Busquets is a player who complements the strengths of his teammates and the penalty box?
feels the game in the same way whereas Casemiro has a role to compensate @Tenllado7 25
Marcelo and Carvajal when they are attacking or Isco and Modric.
 PRINCIPLES
Are the
The characteristics of the FW player Are they
abilities of
ORGANIZATION vs FUNCTIONALITY those players enables them to join the second third to comfortable
connect and combine with the build up holding the
more related
DESCRIPTION OF THE SITUATION phase or do they prefer to run in behind position
to running
the opponent’s last line? providing
forward
Same organization and formation but different functionality as a consequence Is the FW good attacking aerial balls? width or are
(outside-
of playing different players with different characteristics . they more
outside) and
comfortable
DESCRIPTION OF THE CONCEPT crossing balls Are they left footed playing on the right occupying
to the area or right footed playing on the left? Do
AM: Players such as Iniesta or De Bruyne are able to keep themselves in the inside
or to moving they need freedom to move around the
intermediate position they are playing between the Winger and the CM positions
inside attacking front or are they able to hold
whereas Isco and James are freedom souls who need the liberty to explore the between
(outside- the position in one side?
whole front of attack? The latter will perform better, generally, in an the
inside) by
organization with one AM instead of two. opponent's
dribbling and
CB and FB
connecting
W: Neymar and Robben are players who feel more comfortable penetrating the to open the
with the
opponent’s shape by dribbling from the flanks and connecting with their inside flank for our
inside
teammates whereas players such as Bale or Figo will perform better holding FBs?
players?
their position wide, getting to the goal line and crossing ball to the players in
the penalty box.

FW: Messi will drop to support and combine with the AM, CM and players in
the middle third whereas Drogba will perform better holding his position in
depth and awaiting for aerial balls to get and play in front (when outside the
opponent’s box) or to finish (when inside the opponent’s box)

Note: It is very important to understand not just the characteristics of the @Tenllado7 26
individual player but the synergies between them and what the team is able to
do with those synergies.
 PRINCIPLES

MAINTAIN FUNCTIONAL DISTANCES WITH TEAMMATES IN A RATIONAL OCCUPATION OF SPACE 27

Functionality

What are we able to do effectively together so that everyone expresses their greatest potential?

Asked about this, Guardiola acknowledged that he was not a player capable of dribbling past
four defenders but that what Cruyff saw in him was the ability to make the rest of the team
express their virtues. "It's the butterfly effect," said Guardiola. "A good pass at the beginning
can define all the rest of a play. Cruyff understood that a player was able to help the rest of
the team play better."

This is one of the main goals of Positional Game. Recognize the virtues of the individual players and find the group and collective synergies to
expose them to the best scenarios to maximize individual strengths within the team organization.
Lots of times, the Positional Game is understood as an overload of collectiveness where players do lots of passes, keeps high percentage of
possession, etc. but all that collective organization has the main and final goal to generate the most advantageous scenarios for the individuals to
show what they do best, where they do best and when they should do it.
 PRINCIPLES

MAINTAIN FUNCTIONAL DISTANCES WITH TEAMMATES IN A RATIONAL OCCUPATION OF SPACE 28

FC Barcelona organization structure

and functionality

@Tenllado7
 PRINCIPLES

UNDERSTAND THE GAME SPACE 29

• During the game we found a constant interaction between the players near and far to the possessor of the ball.

• In the Positional Game it is key to understand the continuous interaction between the closer and farther players to the ball.

• Following Paco Seirul·lo, we can affirm that the players close to the possessor of the ball participate to solve the problems, while
the farther ones allow with their position that the collective game is developed.

• This is a holistic and global approach which allows us to understand the game differently from other perspectives or football
cultures, where coaches and people generally focus on the football actions, rather than the Positional Game which focuses on the
players’ interactions.

• It allows players to always be useful. Even when they are far away from the ball, to understand that they are constantly playing,
participating in the team's game, that what they do is not limited to the actions they perform when they have the ball.
 PRINCIPLES
SPACE OF
PHASE
UNDERSTAND THE GAME SPACE

DESCRIPTION OF THE SITUATION

Paco Seirul·lo talks about four different spaces, based on the ball and player
position on the field, which allow the players to understand their role in each
moment. Those spaces are dynamic, as they constantly change with the MUTUAL HELP
movement of the ball.

DESCRIPTION OF THE CONCEPT COOPERATION

1. Space of Phase: Totality of the game space, including the team’s

organization structure and that of their opponent’s.
INTERVENTION
2. Space of Intervention: Immediate space around the possessor of the ball
and their direct opponent.

3. Space of Mutual Help: Closest players to the possessor of the ball,

including players on the possession team and opposition.

4. Space of Cooperation: Farther players from the possessor.

@Tenllado7 30
 PRINCIPLES

UNDERSTAND THE GAME SPACE 31

INTERVENTION SPACE

MUTUAL HELP
The following slides show practical SPACE
examples and explain how to use
the Game Space breakdown, not
just to understand the roles and COOPERATION
responsibilities of each player on SPACE
the field during the game but how
to use it to build a training
methodology and transfer the
content from sessions to the SPACE OF PHASE
competition.

Note: How to build a training methodology and

transfer the content will be explained in future
modules.
 PRINCIPLES
SPACE OF
PHASE
UNDERSTAND THE GAME SPACE

DESCRIPTION OF THE SITUATION

Paco Seirul·lo talks about four different spaces, based on the ball and player
position on the field, which allow the players to understand their role in each
moment. Those spaces are dynamic, as they constantly change with the MUTUAL HELP
movement of the ball
COOPERATION
DESCRIPTION OF THE CONCEPT

INTERVENTION
COOPERATION

SPACE OF PHASE
INTERVENTION

MUTUAL HELP
@Tenllado7 32
 PRINCIPLES

UNDERSTAND THE GAME SPACE

SPACE OF PHASE

DESCRIPTION OF THE SITUATION

Paco Seirul·lo talks about four different spaces, based on the ball and player
position on the field, which allow the players to understand their role in each
moment. Those spaces are dynamic, as they constantly change with the
movement of the ball

DESCRIPTION OF THE CONCEPT COOPERATION

MUTUAL HELP

INTERVENTION

@Tenllado7 33
 PRINCIPLES

UNDERSTAND THE GAME SPACE 34

It is important to understand the dynamism of these spaces, since the change of possessor will entail new relational distances
and a variation in the previously mentioned roles, based on the position of the ball.

• To understand this Seirul·lo, Lillo, Castelo and other authors talk about the static spaces, the so-called channels and sectors.
Those are different zones to split the field and help the players to understand better their position and role based on the
position of the ball.

• The channels mean different vertical lanes from one goal line to the other. Normally, coaches split the field in three, four or five
different corridors, depending on their formation, principles of play and tactical intentions.

• Same happens with the sectors, which are the transversal lanes coaches used to divide the field in three: first third, second
third and final third or four: build up, possession, incision and finishing zone.

• There is no right or better option. All is to facilitate the interpretation of the game and roles of the players.
 PRINCIPLES

UNDERSTAND THE GAME SPACE 35

Based on Dani Fernandez, Juanma Lillo and Oscar Cano, some criteria that arise around the idea of structural organization and that
are worth taking into account are:

• Do not invade the spaces of teammates. Each player plays in their position.

• The ball goes to the players (positions), not the players (positions) to the ball.

• The players away from the ball allow the success where the ball is (interactions).

• My position, although not directly involved in the game, gives sustainability to the team’s game.

• Need for width and depth. To have depth, I must have width.
 PRINCIPLES

GENERATE ADVANTAGEOUS CONTEXTS 36

One of the main goals of the Positional Game is to generate advantageous contexts for our players that allow a team to build
superiorities. It is up to the players to detect these advantages and take advantage of them.

Based on Seirul·lo, we are able to find four different kinds of advantages or superiorities:

Numerical Positional
Superiority Superiority

Socio
Qualitative
Affective
Superiority
Superiority
 PRINCIPLES

GENERATE ADVANTAGEOUS CONTEXTS: NUMERICAL SUPERIORITY 37

@Tenllado7
Numerical Superiority: The players with immediate potential participation in the play are more than the opponents.
 PRINCIPLES

GENERATE ADVANTAGEOUS CONTEXTS: POSITIONAL SUPERIORITY 38

RAKITIC MOVING BEHIND THE

OPPONENT`S PRESSURE LINE

@Tenllado7
Positional Superiority: We are better located. The players are located in a way that disables the participation of the opponents.
 PRINCIPLES

GENERATE ADVANTAGEOUS CONTEXTS: SOCIO AFFECTIVE SUPERIORITY 39

Socio Affective Superiority: We interact better. The players with immediate potential participation interact better than the
opponents.

@Tenllado7
 PRINCIPLES

GENERATE ADVANTAGEOUS CONTEXTS: QUALITATIVE SUPERIORITY 40

Qualitative Superiority: We are better. The players perform technical tactical actions and interactions more effectively than
opponents

@Tenllado7
POSITIONING

41
 POSITIONING

RATIONAL OCCUPATION OF THE SPACE 42

“For me it was about taking advantage of the space, evaluating meters and distances. Try to transmit it to the players in the most
efficient way possible so that they understand it. Take, as an example, the combination of Ronald Koeman, who I signed in 1989
and Pep Guardiola who I promoted to the first team in 1990, as duo of central defense at FC Barcelona. Neither was fast, and
neither were defenders. But we always played in the opponent's half. I calculated the probabilities based on the potential three
passes that the opponent team could make. First, a pass in depth that eliminates our last line. If the goalkeeper was good and
was located far from the goal, he could always get the ball. Next, a cross pass. For that I had fast defenders (Full Backs) that were
trained as a wingers. They always arrived in time to intercept the ball. And the last option was a short pass through the center.
Guardiola and Koeman were so strong on the positional plane that they always intercepted them, even though, clearly, they were
not the ideal central defenders. Surely that was the reason why it worked. Because the goalkeeper was in the right position and
the defenders did what had to be done”.

Johan Cruyyf
My turn, October 2016.
 POSITIONING

RATIONAL OCCUPATION OF SPACE

DESCRIPTION OF THE SITUATION

Set of structural and functional references characteristic of a team, coherent

with the possibilities of interaction of the players that compose it.

DESCRIPTION OF THE CONCEPT

“We have played knowing that the ball reaches the positions and not that the
players are going to go for the ball”. Pep Guardiola

“We always emphasize the three P's (Play, Possession and Position). And the
most important was the Position. You should be in your position and trust that
your teammates would send you the ball”. Thierry Henry

“We will lose the ball at some point, sooner or later we will lose it. What we
cannot never lose is the position”. Juanma Lillo

“They like to sort themselves through the ball. Attack and defend with the ball
(...). They feel that instead of moving a lot towards where the ball is, it will
reach them where they are; that for the attackers to succeed they need a good
ball from the midfielders and those, in order to do so, need a good ball from
their defenders. I pass it to you and you pass it on to them”. Pep Guardiola
@Tenllado7 43
 POSITIONING

RATIONAL OCCUPATION OF SPACE

DESCRIPTION OF THE SITUATION

Set of structural and functional references characteristic of a team, coherent

with the possibilities of interaction of the players that compose it.

DESCRIPTION OF THE CONCEPT

“Let’s see Paco, the field has these dimensions, but of course, you play in half of
the field and, of course, in that space we can too, if we place ourselves well and
we occupy a space each, we do not play more than 10m2 each Paco”.
Johan Cruyff talking with Paco Seirul.lo

If you look at the distribution of the players on the pitch and the marks to split
the field, each one is in charge, mainly, of a square or rectangle of the game
space.

As the ball progresses on the field and the space of phase changes, or
depending on the opposition shape we will need to adjust these spaces and
some players as the Outsiders (Full Backs and Wings) will step up or drop back
to cover a slightly different space.

The only two positions who will always cover two different boxes will be the
@Tenllado7 44
CM and the FW, based on the individual fundamentals of the player off the ball.
 POSITIONING

BUILDING UP FROM THE BACK

DESCRIPTION OF THE SITUATION

Set of structural and functional references characteristic of a team, coherent

with the possibilities of interaction of the players that compose it.

CENTRE BACKS (CBs)

• When playing out from the back the CBs are separated to provoke, through
a pass or driving forward with the ball, the opponent’s FW to press one
side; the CB on the other side then progresses with the ball.

• It is very important that at the same time, the CBs keep the distance
between each other that allows them to close quickly the vertical lane to
the net in case we lose the ball when building up from the back.

“In our way of playing, getting the ball clean from the back is the basis of
everything” Guardiola, asked about the importance of playing from the back.

“Only if you build up your game well and cleanly from the back, you will be able
to install yourself well in the opponent’s half field”. Juanma Lillo
@Tenllado7 45

Note: You can find more detailed information on building up from the back in Module 1.
 POSITIONING

CENTRE BACKS (CBs) 46

2v1 + GOALKEEPER

Kompany
RCB

Otamendi
LCB

@Tenllado7
 POSITIONING

LA VOLPE EXIT

DESCRIPTION OF THE SITUATION

Set of structural and functional references characteristic of a team, coherent

with the possibilities of interaction of the players that compose it.

CENTRE BACKS (CBs)

When the opponent uses two FWs to press the build up phase
(it can be in our half or in the opponent’s half, depending where they decide to
start the pressing):

• CB’s open up slightly more than usual.

• CM drops back in between the CBs.

This way, called La Volpe exit, we apply one of the main principles, which is to
have one more player than the opponent in the build up phase.

We just need to apply the same general concepts of driving the ball to attract
one of the opponents and passing to the open teammate until we have space
forward to run with the ball to the middle third.
@Tenllado7 47

Note: You can find more detailed information on building up from the back in Module 1.
 POSITIONING

CENTRE BACKS (CBs) – La Volpe Exit 48

BUSQUETS AS A CM GENERATING THE

3v2 BY APPLYING LA VOLPE EXIT

Umtiti
LCB

Busquets
CM

Mascherano
RCB

@Tenllado7
 POSITIONING

CREATING NUMERICAL SUPERIORITY FROM THE BACK

DESCRIPTION OF THE SITUATION

Set of structural and functional references characteristic of a team, coherent

with the possibilities of interaction of the players that compose it.

CENTRE BACKS (CBs)

When the opponent uses two FWs to press the build phase
(it can be in our half or in the opponent’s half, depending where they decide to
start the pressing):

We also can create Numerical Superiority in different ways:

• Left CB stay open.

• Right CB shifts to the centre.
• Right Full Back drops diagonally back.

We just need to apply the same general concepts of driving the ball to attract
one of the opponents and passing to the open teammate until we have space
forward to run with the ball to the middle third.
@Tenllado7 49

Note: You can find more detailed information on building up from the back in Module 1.
 POSITIONING

CREATING NUMERICAL SUPERIORITY FROM THE BACK

DESCRIPTION OF THE SITUATION

Set of structural and functional references characteristic of a team, coherent

with the possibilities of interaction of the players that compose it.

CENTRE BACKS (CBs)

When the opponent uses two FWs to press the build up phase
(it can be in our half or in the opponent’s half, depending where they decide to
start the pressing):

We also can create Numerical Superiority in different ways:

• Left CB stays open.

• Right CB shifts to the centre.
• CM drops diagonally back.

We just need to apply the same general concepts of driving the ball to attract
one of the opponents and passing to the open teammate until we have space
forward to run with the ball to the middle third.
@Tenllado7 50

Note: You can find more detailed information on building up from the back in Module 1.
 POSITIONING

CENTRE BACKS (CBs) 51

FERNANDINHO AS A CM GENERATING THE 3v2 BY POSITIONING

HIMSELF AT THE RIGHT SIDE OF THE RIGHT CENTRE BACK

Fernandinho
CM

Kompany
RCB

Otamendi
LCB

@Tenllado7
 POSITIONING

RATIONAL OCCUPATION OF SPACE

DESCRIPTION OF THE SITUATION

Set of structural and functional references characteristic of a team, coherent

with the possibilities of interaction of the players that compose it.

CENTRE BACKS (CBs)

When the opponent uses two FWs to press the build up phase
(it can be in our half or in the opponent’s half, depending where they decide to
start the pressing):

We also can create Numerical Superiority in different ways:

• Right CB stays open.

• Left CB shifts to the centre.
• Left CM or LAM drops diagonally back.

We just need to apply the same general concepts of driving the ball to attract
one of the opponents and passing to the open teammate until we have space
forward to run with the ball to the middle third.
@Tenllado7 52

Note: You can find more detailed information on building up from the back in Module 1.
 POSITIONING

CENTRE BACKS (CBs) 53

KROOS AS LMF/LAM GENERATING THE 3v2 BY POSITIONING

HIMSELF AT THE LEFT SIDE OF THE LEFT CENTRE BACK

Kroos
LAM

Ramos Casemiro
LCB CM

Varane
RCB

Modric
RAM

@Tenllado7
 POSITIONING

RATIONAL OCCUPATION OF SPACE

DESCRIPTION OF THE SITUATION

Set of structural and functional references characteristic of a team, coherent

with the possibilities of interaction of the players that compose it.

FULL BACKS (FBs)

The FBs stretch up to the middle third watching not to occupy any teammate’s
position, but to create positional superiority so that the pass of a teammate
eliminates opponents or breaks lines of pressure.

Sometimes, depending on the opponent’s defensive shape, the space of phase

will require both FBs or just one of them (the one on the ball side) to drop back
and support the possessor. It will bring pressure with them and create space in
behind the pressure line for the Attacking Midfielder, Wingers or Forwards to
come in.

Also, and depending on the team specific model, if the idea is not to attack
with both FBs in depth, the player opposite to the ball side will need to start
shifting to the centre as soon as the ball is progressing to the opponent’s half to
provide the offensive balance and prevent future counter attacks.
@Tenllado7 54
If the model is to attack with both FBs wide and deep, they won’t care to
provide this balance as it will be the role of a different player.
 POSITIONING

FULL BACKS (FBs) 55

ALVES AND MAXWELL AS FBs

PLAYING HIGH AND WIDE

Alves - RFB

Pique - RCB

Abidal - LCB

Maxwell - LFB
@Tenllado7
 POSITIONING

FULL BACKS (FBs) 56

S.ROBERTO AND UMTITI AS FBs PLAYING LOW AND

WIDE.
IT GENERATES SPACE BEHIND SEVILLA’S MFs LINE
FOR RAKITIC, MESSI AND INIESTA

S. Roberto
Rakitic RFB
RAM Mascherano
RCB Pique - RCB

Messi
Busquets
FW
CM

Iniesta Umtiti
LAM LFB
@Tenllado7
 POSITIONING

FULL BACKS (FBs) 57

ALVES AS RFB PLAYING HIGH AND WIDE, BEING

BEHIND THE JUVENTUS MFs LINE OF PRESSURE.
J. ALBA CREATING OFFENSIVE BALANCE ON THE
BALL OPPOSITE SIDE.

Alves - RFB

Rakitic - RAM
Pique - RCB

Busquets - CM

Mascherano - LCB

Iniesta - LAM

@Tenllado7 J. Alba - LFB

 POSITIONING

ROLE OF CM IN BUILDING FROM THE BACK

DESCRIPTION OF THE SITUATION

Set of structural and functional references characteristic of a team, coherent

with the possibilities of interaction of the players that compose it.

CENTRE MIDFIELDER (CM)

Items the CM has to take in to consideration in the build up phase from the GK
and CBs:

If the opponent is organized to neutralize the pass over the CBs. 3

•
Option 1 can be a potential solution to get the ball from the GK.
4
• If the opponent presses with one, two or three players. 1
La Volpe Exit (option 2 on the graphic) for two FWs. Options 3&4 for one or
three FWs, providing a 2v1 (CBs vs FW) and being diagonal from the ball side.
• If the rest of the team accompanies those who press or not. Is the pressing 2
block united or divided?.
Block united: Option 2 to provide some more space to the AMF and Wingers.
Block divided: Option 1 as he won’t have pressure in behind.
• If there is asymmetry in the pressure. Greater on one side than on the
other or equal on both sides. @Tenllado7 58
Options 3 & 4 as a potential solution depending which side is the overload.
 POSITIONING

CENTRE MIDFIELDER (CM) 59

ALONSO OFFERING AN OPTION TO THE BALL

BETWEEN JUVENTUS FW’S GAP WHEN THEY
NEUTRALIZED THE PASS FROM THE GK TO THE CBs

Neuer - GK

Alonso - CM
Benatia - LCB

Alaba - LFB
 POSITIONING

RATIONAL OCCUPATION OF SPACE

DESCRIPTION OF THE SITUATION

Set of structural and functional references characteristic of a team, coherent

with the possibilities of interaction of the players that compose it.

CENTRE MIDFIELDER (CM)

1
Occupy the diagonal space from the CB in possession of the ball in order to:

1. Allow the CB to move forward by running with the ball and do not block
his way to progress. 2
2. To create a potential passing option.

3. To increase his field of vision.

@Tenllado7 60
 POSITIONING

CENTRE MIDFIELDER (CM) 61

CENTRE MIDFIELDER YAYA TOURE

Abidal - LFB

Puyol - LCB

Toure - CM

Pique - RCB

@Tenllado7 Alves - RFB

 POSITIONING

CENTRE MIDFIELDER (CM) 62

INDIVIDUAL CONCEPTS OFF THE BALL FABREGAS

Fabregas - AM

Xavi- RM

@Tenllado7
 POSITIONING

CENTRE MIDFIELDER (CM) 63

INDIVIDUAL CONCEPTS OFF THE BALL FABREGAS

Fabregas - AM

Xavi- RM

@Tenllado7
 POSITIONING

CM SHOULD NOT OCCUPY THE SPACE IN FRONT OF

THE CB WITH THE BALL
DESCRIPTION OF THE SITUATION

Set of structural and functional references characteristic of a team, coherent

with the possibilities of interaction of the players that compose it.

CENTRE MIDFIELDER (CM)

If the CM occupies the space in front of the CB in possession of the ball:

1. Does not allow the CB to move forward by running with the ball as CM is
blocking CB’s progress and potentially bringing an opponent with them.

2. Creates a potential passing option if there is no opponent with the CM and

can turn themselves to move forward with the ball. This does not follow
the main principle of Positional Game: "Nobody passes the ball just to pass
it. The passes have a meaning: eliminate rivals. If it is not possible, the
players keep the ball or drive it to attract opponents”. Pep Guardiola and
Juanma Lillo.
3. Does not allow the CM to have a good vision of the field. They are not
aware about what happens in behind and are only able to see both CBs
and the GK. @Tenllado7 64
 POSITIONING

CENTRE MIDFIELDER (CM) 65

CM VIDAL

Alonso - RCM

Vidal - LCM
J. Martinez- RCB

Boateng - LCB

Vidal positioning on the field:

1. Does not allow J. Martinez to progress because he is situated in front of him (second line).
2. Should position himself diagonally from the possessor to become a potential receptor of the ball.
3. Being diagonal from the ball will force open the gap between Torres and Griezmann (Atletico Madrid two FWs players in front of the ball.)
4. We can see how Xabi Alonso is moving backwards to be diagonal from J. Martinez on his right side.

@Tenllado7
 POSITIONING

RATIONAL OCCUPATION OF SPACE

2 3
DESCRIPTION OF THE SITUATION

Set of structural and functional references characteristic of a team, coherent

with the possibilities of interaction of the players that compose it.

ATTACKING MIDFIELDERS (AM)

“Wait quietly between the lines, as if unlinked from the game and knowing that
at the end the ball will reach you. It is a question of keeping yourself in your
position”. Andres Iniesta 1 1
• Do not invade another teammate's position. Understand when to take part
of the action (mutual help) and when to keep your position and facilitate
the interactions between different players (cooperation).

1. Recognize the opponent’s GAPS in their midfielder line of pressure to

become a potential receptor of the ball behind the pressure line.

2. Recognize the opponent’s GAPS in their defender line of pressure to

penetrate without the ball, being a potential receptor of it.

3. Recognize the GAPS in either line of the opponent’s defensive shape to be @Tenllado7 66
able to penetrate them as a possessor by passing or running with the ball.
 POSITIONING

ATTACKING MIDFIELDER (AM) 67

OPTION 1
IN PREVIOUS GRAPHIC

Fernandinho - CM De Bruyne - RAM

@Tenllado7
 POSITIONING

ATTACKING MIDFIELDER (AM) 68

OPTION 2
IN PREVIOUS GRAPHIC

Suarez - FW S. Roberto - RFB

Rakitic - RAM
Mascherano - RCB

Messi - FW

Pique - LCB

Iniesta - LAM

@Tenllado7
 POSITIONING

WINGERS CREATE DEPTH AND WIDTH

DESCRIPTION OF THE SITUATION

Set of structural and functional references characteristic of a team, coherent

with the possibilities of interaction of the players that compose it.

WINGERS (W)
“You have to start high (deep) and open (wide), this is your position. Xavi and
Iniesta (AMF) can play thanks to this space created keeping us (Wingers) static
on the sideline”. Thierry Henry

“I don’t want the wingers involved in the first moment of the build up phase. I
want them as far as they can go. Deep and wide, to create space for their
teammates to progress with the ball. Their teammates will make the ball arrive
to them and will facilitate the 1v1 situations to exploit their talent” Pep
Guardiola

• “The Wingers are the rest area of the game”. Oscar Cano
Rest the action outside (on the flank) after the accumulation of passes and
opponent overload inside.
• 1v1 situations
• Driving from outside to inside @Tenllado7 69
• Create their own space to run in behind the defender line. Fake run: “When
I am coming (in short) it is because I am going (in behind)” and vice versa.
 POSITIONING

WINGERS (W) 70

WINGERS FOLLOWING THE MAIN RULE FOR POSITIONING IN THE BUILD UP PHASE IN ORDER TO CREATE SPACE FOR THEIR TEAMMATES AND THEMSELVES.
THEIR ROLE IS DETERMINED BY THE COOPERATION ZONE, TAKING THE BALL AS A REFERENCE.
 POSITIONING

WINGERS (W) 71

WINGERS FOLLOWING THE MAIN RULE FOR POSITIONING IN THE BUILD UP PHASE IN ORDER TO CREATE SPACE FOR THEIR TEAMMATES AND THEMSELVES.
THEIR ROLE IS DETERMINED BY THE COOPERATION ZONE, TAKING THE BALL AS A REFERENCE.
 POSITIONING

WINGERS ARE BOTH BENEFICIARIES & BENEFACTORS

DESCRIPTION OF THE SITUATION

Set of structural and functional references characteristic of a team, coherent

with the possibilities of interaction of the players that compose it.

WINGERS (W)
Understand the duality as beneficiary and benefactor. You have to know when
to move for yourself and when to do it for the benefit of your teammates.

“He makes others better. He is so intelligent. He knows that not participating

makes the others better. And this is not understood by all players. He knows
that not participating allows their teammates to participate more”.
Pep Guardiola about Pedro Rodriguez.

1. Staying in your position means that others can find better opportunities
(because of the space between the lines) or that being in width, the
winger can become the open player (after the opponent’s FB and Winger
shift to the centre).

2. Obtaining Positional Superiorities by recognizing the GAPS to run and the

timing to perform these runs in order to break the defender line with the @Tenllado7 72
simple interaction of two players: possessor and non possessor (facilitated
by the players in the cooperation space).
 POSITIONING

WINGERS (W) 73

OPTION 1 : STAY IN YOUR POSITION

ROBBEN BECOMES THE OPEN PLAYER WHILE CREATING SPACE
FOR HIS TEAMMATES (CMs & AMs)

Alonso - CM

Robben - RW

@Tenllado7
POSITIONING

WINGERS (W) 74

OPTION 2
ROBBEN RECOGNIZES THE GAP TO PENETRATE
ROMA’S DEFENSIVE SHAPE BY A DIAGONAL RUN

Robben - RW
POSITIONING

WINGERS (W) 75

OPTION 2
ROBBEN RECOGNIZES THE GAP TO PENETRATE
ROMA’S DEFENSIVE SHAPE BY A DIAGONAL RUN

Robben - RW
 POSITIONING

RATIONAL OCCUPATION OF SPACE 3-4

DESCRIPTION OF THE SITUATION

2 2
Set of structural and functional references characteristic of a team, coherent
with the possibilities of interaction of the players that compose it.

FORWARDS (FW) 1

The same principles for the Wingers applies to the FW.

The Forward must keep high (deep) and hold the two defenders as being in
Numerical Inferiority in the cooperation zone allows their team to keep
Numerical Superiority in the mutual help zone (ball zone).

Must recognize when to:

1. Act as a False 9 (F9) and generate Numerical Superiority.

2. Support the possessor (CB, CM, FB) by sideways movements and being in
front as a second or third line from the ball line.
3. Run in behind the defenders to become a potential receptor of the ball,
exploiting the deep spaces.
4. Run in behind the defenders just to attract them and facilitate spaces in @Tenllado7 76
between the lines for your teammates
 POSITIONING

FORWARDS (FW) 77

OPTION 1
MESSI AS A FALSE 9

Pique - RCB

Xavi - RAM

Busquets - CM

Iniesta - LAM

Puyol - LCB

@Tenllado7
 POSITIONING

FORWARDS (FW) 78

OPTION 2
TORRES SUPPORT MOVEMENT

Griezmann- RFW

Saul - LAM
Torres - LFW

@Tenllado7
 POSITIONING

FORWARDS (FW) 79

OPTION 3
HIGUAIN RUNNING IN BEHIND
DORTMUND’S LAST DEFENSIVE LINE

Higuain - FW

Ramos - RCB
@Tenllado7