Tactical decisions so the team in possession of the ball achieves width when attacking and become more compact defensively fixing distances for coverages and defensive support.
At the beginning of the offensive transitions, just after getting the ball back, we should play quick and simple in order to bring the ball to the empty spaces. In this drill we will be faced to different situations similar to game situations.
Both the speed of play and the attraction of the rivals in order to free the farther players are important in order to attack. We will have to do shiftings so the rival has to change its position.
The defensive transition begins with the previous movements before we lose the ball. In this tactical transition drill, we will practice it together with the pressing after losing possession. The team that attacks practices the ball retention as the main tactical offensive objetive.
The inside-outside alternation in the game is key. With this tactical drill we will first play the ball inside by passing the ball into the middle to then pass the ball outside, attracting the defenders and switch the play finding the free space in the other side.
To know when is the right moment to play the ball into the middle is something key for our players. To make them understand it, we will practice the ball circulation, the game speed and the change of pace. We will practice also how to get back in shape when we defend and be wide when we attack. Those are two basic aspect of the offensive and defensive transitions.
In this drill you will work on the change of pace, on passing the ball to attract de rivals and switching the play to the deliberated side and on choosing which the best moment for intercepting the ball is. All of these in a rondo that you can implement in U10 groups and older.
A dynamic and safe way for attacking is either to find the third man or to be aware of where the defenders are (offensive vigilances). At the same time, you will have to find the appropriate distances so your team not always pass the ball to the closest players but also finds the mid-distance players, with the objective of braking the lines. In this drill, the defensive players practice the moment of activating the pressing in a coordinated way.
Ball retention, body orientation (One of Guardiola’s biggest obsession) to receive the ball from the exterior neutral player who has advantage through the guided discovery learning method. The defensive anticipations will make the attackers be on the right body shape to retain the ball and switch the play.
Offensive and defensive vigilances in a polarized drill (with orientation), in which we will be conditioning the game bearing in mind that we will then either lose the ball or win it back. With this, we will rise up the level of the offensive and defensive transition.
