Coaching possession-based football, also known as ‘tiki-taka’ or ‘total football’, requires a comprehensive approach that focuses on both technical skills and tactical understanding.
The start of the new grassroots football season is here and volunteer coaches up and down the country will be hoping to emulate the success of Pep Guardiola, by coaching their kids to play the style of football that saw Manchester City win a treble of trophies. Though that may seem overly ambitious with one training session a week, there is no harm in reaching for the stars.
To coach your team to dominate possession of the ball, there are several things you need to consider and implement into your training sessions and matchday plans. These are:
Philosophy and Principles
- Emphasise the importance of retaining possession as a means to control the game and create scoring opportunities
- Promote quick and accurate passing, movement off the ball, and maintaining positional discipline
Technical Skills
- Passing: Teach players to make short, crisp passes, using the inside of the foot for accuracy and control
- First Touch: Work on improving players’ first touch to receive and control the ball smoothly, setting them up for the next pass
- Dribbling: Develop players’ ability to dribble in tight spaces while maintaining control and awareness
- Ball Control: Focus on trapping and controlling the ball under pressure, allowing players to quickly transition between receiving and passing
Ball Movement and Rotation
- Teach players to move the ball quickly and purposefully, making it difficult for opponents to regain possession
- Emphasise rotation and positional interchange to create passing lanes and confuse defenders
Support and Movement Off the Ball
- Instil the importance of constant movement without the ball to create passing options and stretch the opposition’s defensive shape
- Teach players to make runs into space, exploit gaps, and create overloads in certain areas of the field
Decision-Making
- Develop players’ ability to read the game and make quick decisions under pressure
- Encourage players to assess the situation before receiving the ball, identifying the best passing option based on the positioning of teammates and opponents
Pressing and Regaining Possession
- Train players to press collectively when losing possession, aiming to win the ball back quickly and higher up the field
- Emphasise coordinated pressing triggers and the importance of closing down passing lanes
Small-Sided Games and Exercises
- Design training drills and small-sided games that replicate game scenarios, focusing on possession, movement, and quick passing
- Incorporate restrictions like limited touches or mandatory one-touch passing to enhance decision-making and ball movement
Conditioned Possession Games
- Organise exercises where one team tries to maintain possession against a pressing team, simulating real match situations
- Adjust the field size and player numbers to create challenges that reflect different phases of play
Build-up Play
- Teach players how to build from the back using the goalkeeper and defenders
- Emphasise patient circulation of the ball, with players dropping deep to provide passing options and help initiate attacks
Game Intelligence
- Analyse matches to identify areas for improvement and reinforce possession principles
- Encourage players to adapt their possession approach based on the game’s context, such as maintaining possession to manage the lead or seeking quick transitions to catch opponents off guard
Positive Environment
- Foster a culture of creativity, risk-taking, and learning from mistakes
- Provide constructive feedback and celebrate successful possession sequences to boost players’ confidence
Continuous Learning
- Stay updated with modern tactical trends and strategies in possession play
- Attend coaching workshops, seminars, and courses to enhance your coaching skills
Remember that coaching possession-based football requires patience and persistence. Developing players who can execute this style effectively takes time, but the results can be rewarding in terms of controlling matches and creating scoring opportunities.
By Aaron Gratton
