Training idea: Tuchel inspired game
Inspired by Thomas Tuchel, this is a really fun game that requires players to think and adjust constantly, which fits in with his desire to make training more challenging than matches themselves. The premise is from a video on twitter by Julius Reimann (@julius_riemann) of a Tuchel training session at Chelsea (he includes a video of Tuchel doing the same game at Mainz in the replies), however the exact rules are not 100% clear so I have put my own in.
The idea of the game allows for the addition of a number of constraints, depending on what you wish to encourage from players. I have outlined a couple of them below, along with some variations on the idea.
Link to @julius_riemann video: https://twitter.com/julius_riemann/status/1511383941911138313
Layout
Rules
The game is played at one end of the pitch, with the field being two penalty areas long and approximately 25m wide. The edge of the box acts as a halfway line. A ‘danger area’ is marked out by the red zone, which is the width of the goal and out to the penalty spot.
The game starts top to bottom (red arrows) 6v6+2, with teams attacking two mini-goals at each end and goalkeepers acting as neutrals on each side.
After a goal has been scored, the game switches to playing left to right, 7v7 including the keepers. The team that scored attacks the end with the penalty area and red zone, which provide the opportunity to score extra points which are detailed below.
Once a goal is scored, the game switches back to attacking top to bottom, with the scoreline always carrying over.
The offside rule applies in the left to right game, but only to the team attacking the penalty area
Scoring
- Normal goals - 1 point
- Scoring in the red zone - 3 points (scoring first time = 4)
- Scoring first time in the penalty area - 2 points
- Scoring first time in the mini-goals - 2 points
- Scoring within two touches of a switch across the vertical half-way line (mini-goal pitch) - 2 points
The game challenges players mentally, requiring them to always be switched on to the changes in pitch and the different demands of each. On the mini-goal pitch, which is shorter and wider, there are a lot of opportunities to switch play, especially with the goalkeepers acting as neutrals on each flank. However, on the big-goal pitch, which is longer and thinner, the game will feel considerably tighter. Teams no longer have an overload as one goalkeeper joins each team and the offside rule allows the team defending the penalty area to effectively ‘shrink’ the pitch and apply a lot of pressure to the ball. Players must think fast when a goal is scored in order to adjust, the speed of which can be increased by the coach playing in a new ball, rather than starting from one of the keepers.
In the first instance, the scoring rules act as an incentive during the mini-goal game, with extra rewards possible for the team that wins and attacks the penalty area end. These rules for the big goal game are designed to encourage the attacking team to get numbers into the box, in particular in the ‘danger area’ and create high quality chances. A huge percentage of goals in matches are scored between the posts and from inside 12 yards. It is the most dangerous area of the pitch to score from, which can be seen in the xG map below (source: BBC/Opta). Marking out this area, can help players understand this better and visualise it more easily. The 3 point reward for scoring in it within this game, encourages players to attack into this area whenever possible. The extra point on top for a first time finish emphasises crosses and cutbacks, a very common method of scoring in the modern game.
Awarding 2 points for scoring first time in the penalty area is based on the same premise, with players encouraged to arrive in the box at the same time as the ball. Arriving too early and they become easier to defend against, arrive too late and the chance will be lost. Care will also need to be taken by the player creating the chance, delivering the ball in a manner that allows a first time finish. If the pass requires the player receiving it to take a touch, extra time is available for the defenders to react and look to win the ball or block the shot. This idea is also encouraged within the mini-goal game, also scoring 2 points for a first time finish.
The other rule within the mini-goal game promotes the idea of ‘overload to isolate’, awarding 3 points for scoring within two touches of a switch across the vertical halfway line. This encourages teams to attempt to draw the opposition to one side of the field, before quickly switching to a player in space and in a dangerous area to attack the goal quickly. Although, as mentioned, switching play is implicitly encouraged by the shape of the pitch and the position of the goalkeepers as neutrals, this idea is slightly different. Switching play may create space somewhere on the pitch if the defensive team does not shift well as a unit and a gap is left, however the idea of ‘overload to isolate’ is slightly more purposeful. The opposition are deliberately attracted to one side of the pitch by short passes, before an attacking player is found on the far side. In order to score within two touches of this, the player must be in a dangerous area when receiving the ball.
Applying the offside rule to the team attacking the penalty area provides the team defending team an extra tool with which to do so. They are able to ‘shrink’ the pitch by stepping up, which also allows them to press more effectively with a better structure, as shown below. Applying it to just the one team helps compensate for the extra rewards available attacking that end by making them more challenging.
I’ve outline some variations below, however the possibilities are almost endless:
One team attacks both big goals, while the other attacks all four mini-goals, switching on every goal
This provides a different problem for players to solve, potentially resulting in the set up shown below. The Yellows try to defend both goals, pressing the ball from each side and putting players nearer the goal in their cover-shadows. This naturally creates a pressing trap in the middle of the pitch, as the player on the ball only has one option to pass to and the receiver can be pressed from all sides, as shown below. Although there isn’t a specific coaching point behind this rule, it requires players to find effective solutions to the problems posed, while still having to adapt each time a goal is scored.
Add a neutral player in the centre
This gives the attacking team an overload when attacking the big goals and requires them to use this effectively, creating numerical advantages in dangerous areas by using quick ball speed and combinations. The same principle will apply in the mini-goal game, which becomes a 6v6+3 where players on each time should position themselves effectively to best use the neutrals — creating depth while the neutrals provide width and an extra player in the centre.
Number of players in the penalty area when the goal is scored = the value of the goal
This is a different option to reward the team attacking the penalty area, encouraging them to commit numbers in attack and make runs into the box as and when the ball is about to be crossed. The best teams get a lot of players into the final 3rd and penalty area when attacking, illustrated in the image below where the ball is about to be crossed for the winning goal of the Champions League Final (Source: BT Sport/@kevnicholson1 on twitter).
Change pitch every time the ball goes out of play
Chaos. Takes the demands and focus required to the max, with players having to make adjustments even more regularly than before. Re-starts can be passed in by the coach or by encouraging players to pass in a pitch-side ball quickly. This may become frantic if the ball is going out of play regularly so adjustments may need to be made, but players should be encouraged to try and be calm on the ball whenever possible. Adding a neutral or two would likely make this variation more effective, with possession able to be maintained more easily.
Coaching points
In possession
- Quick thinking to switch between pitches
- Quick combinations in attack
- Attack dangerous area (red zone)
- Numbers in the box in attack
- Switching play/overload to isolate (mini-goal pitch)
Out of possession
- Quick thinking to switch between pitches
- Protect the middle
- Defend the goal
- Force play in one direction
- Use the touchline as a defender
