WORLD CLASS COACHING
Tactical Series Mauricio Pochettino
By James Lambert
TABLE OF CONTENTS
Part Three
FINISHING ACTIONS
TRAINING SESSIONS
Chapter 6 – FINISHING ACTIONS
How Tottenham score goals, who are their main providers? All Competitions 21st February 2017.
Kane clearly finishes many actions the team creates, Eriksen is consistent in creating and finishing. Son and Alli chip in with regular goals and other players in the team also get goals from time to time.
Dembele numbers are low but based on analysis he often starts moves and quickens the tempo. While Dembele does not score or provide assists, he is often one pass short of the final action and is very important to Tottenham’s overall game plan.
Harry Kane is the main Goal scorer for Tottenham with a variety of finishes but mostly finishing regular developed Tottenham moves.
Kane positions himself behind the defenders in a perfect position to finish the cutback from Sun. With cutbacks defenders tend to focus on the ball at the crucial moment of delivery, Kane waits for the ball and side foots it in the far corner.
Tottenham play a diagonal ball over the compact defence looking for a third man movement in behind. This is a useful pass because it is away from the goalkeeper and is a good cue for the striker to anticipate the first time pass in behind.
Kane again attacks the same position on the far post using the pace of the ball to side foot into the goal.
A ball whipped in behind by fullback Trippier is very difficult for the defenders to attack. Again they tend to get over focused on attacking the ball and do not track the movement of Kane.
Kane attacks the ball in between the defenders getting his right boot onto the ball to deflect into the goal.
Kane is also very effective inside the box, with very good feet he can quickly receive and get a shot away.
Kane sits level on the outside of the defender in a very small pocket with his body on the half turn waiting for the pass. With a quick first touch Kane set himself up for a shot into the top corner.
Kane is the main finisher of Tottenham team attacks and his always ready to attack these balls. Most of Kane’s goals come from Tottenham constructed attacking patterns. Nearly all of Kane’s goals come inside the penalty box apart from a few free kicks, Kane also chips in with penalties.
Kane tends to use his right foot but with one touch finishes he strikes the ball well also with his left foot. Kane also can strike the ball with his instep with tremendous accuracy and power.
Kane is a very good team player that is instrumental in all of Tottenham’s build up. Kane works very hard on and off the ball and his always in the penalty box ready to finish opportunities the team create.
Alli has scored some very important goals this season, many coming against the top 5 teams in the league. Alli is excellent at making timed runs and positioning himself to meet crosses.
Alli positions himself between the central defender and the fullback to meet the diagonal ball from Eriksen. Alli is developing into a very good finisher.
From a standing jump Alli headers in to the top corner.
In the same game again Alli positions himself between the Central defender and the fullback.
Assist King Eriksen, delivers a diagonal ball over the far central defender for Alli to head home.
The goals look easy but it requires high quality build up to get to the moment, a fantastic delivery and a player who can position himself in the right area and finish.
Another method to deliver the ball to Alli, is by stretching the opponent and delivering in behind the last defender from the wide area. Many teams use this method because the forward players have an advantage over the defenders as they are running towards the ball.
In conclusion, a high quality build up is required to provide the moment for the fullback to delivery. Another timed run by Alli between the central defender and the fullback.
Chapter 7 – TRAINING SESSIONS
To develop training sessions based on Tottenham’s playing style we use the Constraints Led Coaching Approach.
WHAT – Take a technique, skill or tactic from the analysis and isolate it into a small Sided Game
• Improve player behaviour
• Competitive Games
• Enjoyable games
• Players find their own solutions
• Very specific
Individual Constraints
• Pressure
• Decision making
• Fatigue
Environmental Constraints
• Weather
• Field surface type
Tasks Constraints
• Rules
• Equipment
• Field size
• Different Zones
• Player numbers
• Time limits
Training session – Ball Possession - Early Build up
Description
To improve opportunities to move the opponents defensive block and switch the ball to Wingbacks.
Key Points to work on
• Finding a play with time and space in the back third
• Distribution the longer switch
• Receiving the long switch and delivering early behind
Rules
6 v 4 in the middle third, Tottenham circulate to find space for the side central defender to deliver a longer switch to the Wing backs. If the opponents win the ball they can score in one of four goals within 10 seconds.
Team Task Attacking Team
Can we move the ball to create time and space for the side central defender to deliver the longer ball switch to the Wing backs.
Team Task Attacking Team Front Third
Can the fullbacks receive and deliver a pass in behind
Training session – BP - Early Build up Rondo
Description
To improve ball circulation to find a free player
Key Points to work on
• Collective possession
• First touch
• Striking the ball - Passing
Rules
4 v 2 in each zone, Tottenham circulate the ball looking to get a free player with one touch through the gates.
Defender changes position with attacker if he wins the ball
Team Task Attacking Team
Can we move the ball to create time and space for the side central defender to break through the gates
Team Task Defenders
Can you work together to lock up one side to and put pressure on the possession team players first touch
Training session – BP – Playing through Kane
Description
To improve the teams ability to play through and combine with Kane early in the build up.
Key Points to work on
• Possession teams ability to move the ball to find a player who can play forwards in a controlled manner
• Delivery over distance accurate to Kane movement and to allow him to receive and protect
• Delivery on the ground to be firm and into Kane's movement
• Attackers to support Kane at the right moment
• Kane to receive and screen the ball looking for support
Rules
3 teams rotate and play possession football looking to score off Kane.
1. Score via the longer ball and drop off
2. Score through the ball on the ground and combine
Progression
1. Bonus goal for a third man run off Kane's drop back to the midfielder
2. Bonus goal for Kane to combine and break in behind
Training session–BP–Attacking through the central Midfield
Description
To improve the central midfields ability to start Attacks from deep, through travelling with the ball.
Rules
Game starts with 6-10
8-10 must sit at the base circulating the ball. One of them must play move forwards with the ball looking to start attacking opportunities.
The other midfielder should move centrally to give the team deep balance.
If they move forward and unsuccessfully they should move back to their base position.
Training session – BP to BPO – Midfielders Defending
Description
To improve the central midfields ability to read the game and look for moments to intercept or pressure the opponent when they enter their zone.
Key Points to work on
• Intensity to close down
• Discipline to slow to jockey and delay
• Cover and anticipate passes to try and intercept.
Rules
2 teams play possession with one team on the outside creating a 8 v 4 in favour of the possession team. Team in possession must play to the base player before they can attack the 2 small goals.
2 attackers are allowed in the end zone with a 10 second time limit to score.
Midfielder should look to work together to pressure, cover and delay the opponents.
Delay to stop them scoring within 10 seconds
Training session – BPO – Defending the Longer ball
Description
To improve the central defenders ability to read the game and collective defend the longer ball.
Key Points to work on
• Positioning of the last line of 3 defenders
• Anticipation of the longer ball
• First man marking
• Covering positioning of remaining defenders
Rules
8 v 7 in favour of the attacking team, defending team are give 10 seconds to score if they win the ball.
Attacking team circulate the ball looking to bring the last line high and play over the top.
Summary
Tottenham used different systems to change the type of early build up required. Each system poses different problems to the opponent but in the front third Tottenham excel at creating actions to break the opponents down. Combination plays, rotation of positions, through balls, all suck the opponents in centrally.
In wide areas Rose and Walker are always taking the width and often have space due to the rest of the Tottenham team playing centrally in tight areas.
Tottenham are not predicable in attack, they have no issues with playing the longer ball, but they ensure every ball is sent with a message. With Kane and Walker in the last line, Tottenham play longer balls for the knock down. The reaction to these balls is instant, with Tottenham more often than not, winning the second ball and starting a fresh attack.
The opponent would find it difficult to assess Tottenham’s game, do they press or do they drop off?
When Tottenham lose the ball their reaction is excellent. Players quickly move to delay forward passes and this pressure is very collective. Pochettino has clearly tried to build a team that is flexible, however players still fit the necessary profiles required.
Team conditioning is fantastic considering Tottenham rarely make big changes to their first team.
When Tottenham counter, it is in a very controlled manner. They don’t force passes, & tend to move the ball in order to pass the ball forward in a controlled manner.
When the opponent start from their goal keeper, Tottenham look to ambush. The front 3 try to disturb the opponent with the middle 4 players waiting to pressure any forward passes. Tottenham’s back 3 will defend in anticipation, They wait for forward passes on the ground and accelerate to intercept these passes. Tottenham’s back 3 handle the direct game comfortably. They defend in an organised manner always providing cover to the defender attacking the ball. Within the middle third, centrally Tottenham are very aggressive and win many balls deep in midfield.
Pochettino is very impressive, he develops players while playing in the most competitive league in the world. This is because he knows his game principles. If a player fits the profile required then he can play regardless of experience or age. Pochettino’s brand fits well within the English culture. A mix of controlled build up, quick high tempo passing and at times longer balls to break the last line.
Pochettino’s methods could be the future of the game. Tottenham use many playing systems and the main core of the team play in all of these systems.
The game is evolving with many top coaches showing us new ways. The future of the game is exciting.
