However, the structure of the training session and what to do each day is not only related to the tactical objectives, but also with the physical fitness component to be prioritized” (Juan Luis Delgado-Bordonau and Albert Mendez Villanueva, 2014). Jose Mourinho said,“ Our daily concerns are directed to make operational our game model. By alternating the dominant physical component in each session, the players will develop the appropriate physical capacities within the context of the coach’s game model. For instance, in a weekly pattern with matches on Sunday’s, the acquisition days would be on Wednesday (strength), Thursday (endurance), and Friday (Friday) of each week (Juan Luis Delgado-Bordonau and Albert Mendez Villanueva, 2014). During the middle of the week (in a 1 game a week setting), the three middle days of each training week are known as the acquisition days. The idea is that “ in biological terms, it is not possible for a body to deliver constantly the same effort, everyday” (Tamarit, 2014).
When planning the training week, the goal is to alternate the dominant type of muscular contraction, thus respecting the effort – recovery continuum. In essence, the “ principle of horizontal alternation” is “in charge of regulating the relationship between effort and recovery” (Tamarit, 2007 in Raul Oliveira, 2014). In the tactical periodization training strategy, the final methodological principle is the “ principle of horizontal alternation”. For instance, if a coach’s game model calls for his or her team to defend in a low block of pressure during the defensive moment, then in terms of a hierarchical structure, that particular coach would appear to value the main defensive principle (low block of pressure) more than the sub-principles of the offense to defense transition phase due to the low-block of pressure being a main focal point of their game model.
A coach’s ability to articulate all the principles that conform to his or her game model will determine the team’s “DNA” (Juan Luis Delgado-Bordonau and Albert Mendez Villanueva, 2014). Tamarit (2007) stated,“ Some principles are more important and valued than others in terms of what is intended. The idea is that the coach must rank his or her playing principles based on the importance of them in relation to the game model. It can be characterized as the reduction of complexity to the model of play by experiencing principles and sub-principles” (Raul Oliveira, 2014). According to Tamarit (2007),“ This principle is closely related to the hierarchical organization of the principles and sub-principles of play.
The “ principle of complex progression” refers to the hierarchical structure of the playing principles. We try to achieve that by creating exercises where we are able to embrace all the dimensions (technical, tactical, physical, and mental), but never forgetting our first concern, to enhance a given principle of our game model” (Juan Luis Delgado-Bordonau and Albert Mendez Villanueva, 2014).
Tactical soccer training sessions how to#
Jose Mourinho said,“ One of the most difficult questions is how to make operational our style of play. The idea is that each training session is specific to the game model in addition to not separating the tactical, technical, physical, and psychological components. Gaiteiro (2006) said, “Tactical periodization addresses the complex phenomena, as it contemplates the object in its entirety and context (Tamarit, 2014). There are many training strategies that the coach can utilize, however, it appears that tactical periodization is an optimal strategy due to its holistic nature. Once the coach has constructed their principles, sub-principles, and sub-sub-principles in relation to each moment of the game (offense, defense, transition from offense to defense, and transition from defense to offense), a training strategy must be implemented that progressively operationalizes their game model (tactics) in addition to appropriately developing the players from a technical, physical, and psychological perspective.