IT IS NOT THAT (III) (1)

The "positional play", often called "tiki-taka" incorrectly is based on two main ideas: quick ball movement and mobility of players. The important thing, with this mobility, is not to lose the "positions", i.e. if a player moves to another place, someone must fill that empty space created, or, the other players must move so that this space is covered, ie , what we'll need is to have a permanent, and flexible enough structure, that allows these adaptations.

As strengths of this style of play, we can highlight:

• It is played very close to the opposing goal
• High mobility of players
• Constant exchange of positions as a result of the previous
• Creation of superiority with little movement of players
• Few (or no) risky passes at the zone of creation
• Simplicity in passes

The weaknesses we have:

• It is played far from the own goal, with a risk of counterattack for the opponents
• Players need to have good ability of the vision of the game
• Risk of becoming predictable because the lack of mobility
• Agglomeration of players in tight spaces (own players plus opponent's)
• Need of players able to dribble contraries in short spaces

All this goes far beyond the system (formation) used. Systems indicate absolutely nothing in the way of playing, and if not, remember that the system used by Mourinho at Inter or Chelsea, the one often used by Ancelotti, the one of Guardiola or the most usual with Martino: all are 1-4-3-3. All them. And here the similarities end between them. Because every coach plays it differently. The following figure shows this arrangement.

At the time, Guardiola maximized the strengths and minimized the weaknesses and, every time it seemed that opponents found a way to stop it, a tactical variation appeared. But, always, keeping what is considered the basic points of the " positional play": Order and compactness ( "together"). Do not confuse these basics with what I said on quick ball movement and mobility.

The latter do not exist without the previous ones. The ball can go as fast as we want, but if we are badly placed, this will be useful for nothing, and if players are not close to each other, the passes will not be easy. For the same reasons, when players are nearby, it is easy to switch positions and sometimes only with the movement of a player, there may be 2 or 3 players changing the position. We had seen as Alves or Abidal finishing the plays because Toure or Busquets, or whoever, kept those positions. The team was swinging from one side to another to support and be balanced.

The figure shows how the team has been to the right, to give support, because the play is at that flank. They had moved, but the structure is retained. The crosser could be Alves, or Pedro, or Messi himself. The finisher, either. There was always someone somewhere. And this led to many recoveries. Beyond the high pressure, which was the natural consequence of where the players were (why do we have to go back to recover if we are already there?), the main point was that they were well placed and therefore, if a player could dribble the first player pressing, automatically appeared behind him the one that was covering. More. This pressure prevented long passes to the contrary, that were easily stopped by the defenders. Now all that is gone. The opponents can make a long, accurate pass and as there is too much space between the lines, it is easy to run with the ball and face the defenders. And of course, we concede a lot of goals because of the defense. Are you sure that only then are to blame? Before the 4 defenders had 3 players at 10-15m. They are now 25m away. Do you mean there is no relation between these things?

Do you remember the "15 passes rule"? It said that an attack could not begin if there weren't completed 15 passes. The reason? Very simple. This allowed all the players to be in the position to start. Have you ever seen a game of handball? When the defensive team gets the ball, if there is no counterattack, substitutions of players are done and everyone goes to his position. Until they are all,  the attack does not start. This was the same in the "old" Barça. And then the "pass and move" began. And Xavi was going to the right, Messi left. Pedro the middle. Piqué, up. Busquets, down. And so, with the ball moving at breakneck speed between players who came and went from the point of action just in time to play the ball, until the moment to find the "hole" to make that pass that was half a goal. Because the aim was not to move the ball. This was the medium used. This was the trap. The magic trick. Everyone looked at the ball without realizing where the Barça players were, nor, as the defenders were moving from place. Because this was the goal: Move the ball to move the players. Nothing more than that. Do you remember what Van Bommel said about Barca when they crushed Bayern 4-0 at the Nou Camp when asked why they had not made fouls? The answer was clear: When we arrived, there was nobody, not ball or player. It is like chasing shadows.

What do we have of all this now? Little. It is seen just in few moments. The ball goes quickly from side to side of the field. The game has gone from "positional" to be "transitional". But many people still have not understood it. And keep talking about % ball possession and the number of passes made and the % of success in these passes. As if this was sufficient to say if they played better or worse, as if this is what defines the style.

And, of course, it is not this, comrades, it is not this.

Jordi Pascual

You can follow me on Twitter: @JordiPascualP

P. S. As you can see, still a whole section fot to exercises. This second part will come in a few days.

IT IS NOT THAT (II)

I spoke in the previous entry of certain tactical aspects of the Barça game. I said I would speak about the Sports Management and certain issues related to it and what it entails.

Part one. Three examples that come quickly to my mind. The first one is the injury Jorquera playing with the Catalan National Team in December 2006. There was no provision on the subject (published in the newspapers, said by the same people at Barça). Speechless. The second example is Chigrinskiy. Beyond that if it was valid or not, the fact is that there was no report or note about him in the Office of the Camp Nou when Barça played against Shakhtar Donetsk. How is it possible that there is no information on Champions League rivals? The third case is Lewandoski. He was playing in Poland yet, when former player José Mari Bakero Club spent reporting on it (Bakero was coaching in the League in that country, I do not remember, but if it was the time of Poland or Lech Poznan), but no one took the disturbing of travelling and/or look a match of this player. The result is that Lewandoski ended where he ended and now he is worth what he is (much more than then).

Part two. At the end of the season, under the umbrella of UEFA, 2,000 games are played. Of these, 300 (rising to 400 or 500 if the new competitions U-16 and U-18 are in place), are with players between 15 and 21 years. The question is: How many of these games are observed by "scouts" of Clubs at the highest level? The answer is very, very few. And except for the U-21, the system is the same: a first phase where they make groups of 4 teams playing their matches in the course of 6 days. A second phase, with the same format, and a final phase similar. We're talking about 40 tournaments of this style every year. There are certainly quite coincidences on time among tournaments, but with a good organization, you could include almost everyone. We're talking about 106 selections (53 for each age group, now with the addition of Gibraltar, 54), which means around 2,000! players (18 per team). Clearly, for the smaller clubs, it is impossible to attend any of these competitions, except if they are played next to your house, but for the big clubs, with millions of Euros in budget, this should not be a big effort, considering that many of them have people all over Europe, or at least people covering specific geographical areas.

If we put together the first part and the second, I say I do not understand many things. There are specialized websites that have data on players, especially for Agents, Clubs and similar (history, matches, contract duration, agent, etc.), costing around 500€/year. And the data are fairly accurate. Clearly, young people have no data, unless they are already playing in the First Division of his country. But when you go to a tournament I've said before, you get all the information (Name, Club, Age, etc.). And these data are given to all scouts who register. I know some cases of players I've seen in these tournaments that moved to another team at the end of the season. And, it is that someone was watching him from the stands.

All this leads me to say that something is not right. But not now. I detect this for many years. It seems that they only go to the Final Stages of these competitions (which, they have almost everyone there) or, they only see players in these tournaments organized by multinationals and similat. And the big clubs should work and move and, more Barca (as it touches me as a member ("soci"), and supporter); it gives the impression that "as we are who we are, they will come to us" and, increasingly, people is moving this way and that way.

Returning to the first part. Is it so hard to see all league matches in Norway, Greece, Brazil, Argentina or South Africa? A good satellite dish, decoder and a good computer/laptop or tablet. With this, you can watch many matches. If you are a big club, you will have more dishes, more computers and more subscription cards to different platforms offering games. And that's the point: to see games and writing about the features of players. On television and in the fields. And they appear. To play in the First, or Second Division. As a future option. As a player that comes from an unexpected injury. As you wish. Because obviously, any 8 year old kid can sign Messi, Cristiano Ronaldo, etc. The trick is to sign a player who is not known by anyone for 4 dollars and sell it for 30 million. There are Clubs experts in this Club: Porto is one of them; Sevilla other.

I read that to sign Ter Stegen there were 12! reports. If European of this, if World Cup of that, if Bundesliga. Travellling up and down that I will never understand. Because when you take a plane and go to the other side of Europe should be very clear why you go: Yes or No. I remember one day those of National Teams matches with12! Barça scouts, but in pairs! Can not they go, where appropriate, to 12 different places? If you send someone, is supposed to have enough criteria and, in any case, there will be a video of the game, to finally conclude. The fact is that among the 12 passengers, no player came to the Club. That can happen, of course. But I do not see it .

I finish. Clearly there are many players in the world and it costs make the wheat from the chaff; but even so, there is something wrong. I do not know whether the criteria the scouts have are different, if the instructions are the same for everyone, if they only look at those who appears in the news or social networks. I do not know. But I am very clear for many years that Barça does not get any of these players with very high quality and very good price, as they do many other European clubs.

By the way, if you know someone who does scout ask him if he earns 400,000€/year. I know you will have asked because I will hear how he laughs from my house. Ah! And they are the same that are talking about "market prices" for reforming the Camp Nou.

I repeat: It is not this, comrades, is not this.

Jordi Pascual

You can follow me on Twitter: @JordiPascualP

P. S. This is the second part of the trilogy. The third, in a few days, will be the post on Positional Play I promised.

IT IS NOT THAT (I)

It is not this, comrades, it is not this, the song says. It is not what they had told us, or what we had anticipated. Barca was eliminated from the Champions League by Atletico Madrid. This was something that could happen. It could also be that everything was settled by one goal difference, given the equality we had seen in previous clashes. Now, I do not think anyone imagined that we would see that first part not ended 3-0 if not the posts, because opportunities, hunger and football Atletico put it. We just looked at it.

"I will forgive the lack of success, but not the lack of effort", said one who will now be in a Champions League semifinal. The problem is that he will leading Bayern. Anyone want to bet that if he was here things would be very different? Not better (although it is very possible), or worse (I think not ), but different, very different (this, for sure).

This Barça plays differently as it did so. Except four games, interestingly, those that have been resolved in a more effective way, where the team has returned to take the old manual, there are many points of disagreement between the current Barca and the one that made ​​history.

The thing, but, is that much of the blame are the players. If Xavi is old, if Alves does not cross well the ball and defends worse, if Cesc is still in London, so ... ,and Valdes, blame Valdes. And Messi.

About Valdes I do not think it is worthwhile to talk a lot. But I will do. It is justice. They have ignored and mistreated him here and there. It is the best goalkeeper in the club's history, with permission from Ramallets. He has 3 Champions Leagues, several Leagues, "Zamora's" Awards and whatever you want. And, until the injury we had saved a good number of matches by him. But no. A journalist recalls the error against Valencia. Can not remember, but, how many done goals have been missed in front of goal. Neither remembers all the points he has given us in all the years he has been the keeper for Barça. Another journalist said that among the guilty (meaning those who are not having a good season), are Valdés... and Bartra! Disgrace for Marc, who has played less than me. And he is pointing him as responsible for what happens. A third, more a plagiarist than a journalist, is chasing Valdés for a lot of years. No comments. Not worth it.

Let's go the players:

Has anyone thought that Xavi is a player to make run the ball and not to run cahsing the ball? Think about it.

Has anyone thought that Alves is a very attacking full-back, which ahs to  be covered to allow their arrivals? Before, he had the cover 10m. away from him. Now it's 30. Think about it.

Has anyone thought that Messi needs the ball on the foot, to "partner" with Xavi and Iniesta and create superiority? He doesn't need space to run. He needs the ball to play and someone will create space. Or he'll do . But with the ball. Think about it.

Has anyone thought that Busquets is the man who gives balance and the first pass out of the opposing pressure and is not the man who simply destroys the opponents game? How many balls, before, did he recoverto 15-20m. from the opponent's box? How many now? Think about it.

Has anyone thought that Cesc is not Xavi or Iniesta? And, therefore, he plays very differently to these two? Cesc can do many things. He has the play, he has goals. But it is different. Very different. He does not have the "tempo" of Xavi, or the "magic" of Iniesta. But he has many other things. Does anyone know how to take advantage? Think about it.

Has anyone thought that Pedro needs room to run and that Alexis needs opponents to dribble? Think about it.

Has anybody thought about the role of Neymar? Must be the new Messi? Should be the second "crack" after Messi? Can he play as a "9" ? As a "false 9"? Has he more from Ronaldinho than from Iniesta? Think about it.

Has anyone thought that the problem is not high pressure, but the pressure on the ball? Decide where and how. Remember Mourinho and Inter at San Siro. Pressure on on Xavi as he crossed the halfway line. Pressure at the flanks 15-20m. after midfield. The pressure is made with the team close together (NA: player to player). Here or there, but together. Think about it.

Has anyone thought that the defenders are not only the 4 at the back? That defenders are all the players? And, if they are lost and often "sold" the fault is not only themselves, but by a general mismatch? Think about it.

Has anyone thought that you can work the intensity and the concentration? And, it is worked with intensity and concentration. Think about it.

This is not just a criticism on Martino, which it is too. It is a criticism on all the players, who often seems not remember what shirt they are wearing. On Manager and Technical Staff, who seem to have no solutions when things go wrong and are unable to fix on the fly. On Sports Management, which has no solutions for the problems of injuries, etc and seems not to know what is their job (that, I will discuss in the next post). On the Board, iwhich seems that the main concern is just having a stadium with the best hospitality in the world. On, us, members ("socis") and supporters, who often only see the player making the goal and we see nothing in the process to make this goal. And I speak in plural, because it also happens to me sometimes. And the environment, the famous environemnt. Those who write in newspapers or talk on radio and television and can not distinguish an "off-side" from a "penalty" , not a "full-back" from a "winger" and, speak about Laws and Regulations without having read any.

I've said it before: It is not this, comrades, is not this.

Jordi Pascual

You can follow me on Twitter: @JordiPascualP

P. S. This post is the first part of a trilogy. At the second part I will talk about the Sport Management Organization (applicable to any Club), and the third one is the post on Positional Game that I said some days I would do.

WE HAVE ALREADY VOTED

Finally, yesterday, on Saturday, April 5th, the "socis" (members/owners), of the club voted in the referendum for the reform of Camp Nou. Some considerations:

1) Democracy is the government of the majority. Therefore, the final result ( 72%-25%) in favor of YES clearly states what is the thinking of the majority who went to vote.

2 ) Democracy, but, is also to respect minorities. An important group of voters (about 10,000), disagreed. Must be taken into account. And those who have done so have not had the means (or economic or propaganda), to do so. Reflect on the issue, because if they had been, it is possible (not sure if probable), that the result would not have been with so much difference, at least.

3) That said, the Board must make a thought: Why vote only 38,000 people when there were 81,000 at the match? Except for those regulatory issues (age, seniority as members), or those who bought tickets, I'm sure there were a large number of people who did not vote. Why?

4) The Board should also think about those members residing away from Barcelona (wherever they are ), to participate in these acts, whether voting by mail , electronically. For many people, unable to do so, means they only pay, but do not decide. In fact, they have said they are working on it. The sooner they fix issue , the better for all.

5 ) The Board should be clear that many of those who voted YES disagree with the last movements/facts of the Club, especially with the FIFA case.

6) With this, I think there could be people who is interested in that certain things at certain times are known. I do not know if the hand is white, black or only has four fingers. But what is certain is that from the Club, nothing has been refused from what was said . And, we have Club and/or officials punished and/or imputed, both for Civil and Sport Justice. And that, for those who love the Club, we do not like it. Absolutely nothing.

7) It is also true that many of those who voted NO,  did it as a "punishment voting" against the way of acting of  the Board. In fact, many of these, among whom I count myself, believe that we must reform the Camp Nou, but not in the way that has been raised around. And if according to some media, yesterday's referendum was plebiscitary referendum, well, many will have to consider why there is such a large group of malcontents.

8) Remember that Vice-President Faus said there was a Project and Measurements where made and architects contesting to the International Competition should comply with it. We'll see what happens.

9) "La Masia is not touched" I think we have it all very clear. The banner at the Camp Nou yesterday left over, especially when it seems that no one in FIFA has said anything about it. What Barca should do is go hand in hand with Real Madrid, Bayern, Chelsea, Milan, etc. to  ECA (European Club Association), and talk to UEFA and FIFA about the adequacy of the Regulations. But for all. Request preferential treatment for being Barça when there are many clubs (and football as itself), that can have a proffit , I think is, at least, overly prepotent.

10) I did not understand the role of potential candidates for future elections. Except Agustí Benedito, and this one just three days before voting, the other " possible future candidates" have not shown signs of life, except something in social networks. I suppose someday we will explain. They have to do well, but, because I do not think this is the best way to win votes in the future.

11) Finally, nobody has to think that there will be no support for the team and that we want it to lose. To be critical with the way to play several days, as to be critical with the Board, does not mean to be against as "modus operandi ". Although many interpret in that way. We want Barca to win, because it is our feeling.

And, as I have said many times, with feelings you do NOT play.

Jordi Pascual

You can follow me on Twitter: @JordiPascualP

TOGETHER

"Every time we are together, we create something. Every time we are separated , they create something".

I wrote this yesterday while watching the match Madrid-Barça. I think it summarizes for me what was the game. While Barça played "positionally" applying the correct criteria for this type of play, the game was placid for Martino's men. And, while Madrid made ​​high pressure to prevent to play the ball out from the back, in case it can not work out, kick up and out. As the team was well placed, although the ball was for the white players, it was relatively easy that there wasn't great danger for Valdés. Barca scored ​​the first goal and Messi had the second in a play where he controlled the ball a little long.

This changed from the time that Barça relaxed a bit and Madrid was able to leave with counterattacks. Cristiano came to the center and the left wing was allowed for Di Maria. And he damaged, a lot of damage. Breaking again and again Alves, who had no help from Xavi, who was away by that of the separate lines, or Mascherano, that theoretically should give coverage, but in fact was more aware of Benzema, he created enough danger to score 3 or 4 goals.

Towards the end of the first half, Barca was together again and returned to have options, until Messi made ​​the 2-2 before the break.

The second half was quite different. Although Madrid took the lead again, the feeling was that Barça had much more controlled the game, but had troubles to create danger, but on the other hand, did not give options for counterattack to Madrid.

And the key play of the game came. Messi makes an amazing pass on the ground: he breaks two lines (double pivot and the back four) and eliminates 6! players. I recommend everyone to see it and especially those who are dedicated to teaching football to use it as a model of what a pass means. The referee called the penalty and sent off Ramos. Martino brought Pedro for Neymar and, somewhat later, Alexis was in for Cesc, for Iniesta to return in midfield and to play with three clear forwards.

And I say that is key, not only for what it means for the opposing team with one less player, but by the fact that, from then on, Barça became the boss of the match permanently. Lines together without options for the Madrid game and allowing rapid recoveries for Barca and creating danger. In fact, many saw a fifth goal could come at any time.

Important considerations:

1) When the lines are together, when from Piqué (great game yesterday, why it will not be always the same?), to Messi, here are at most 30 meters and mobility appears, this team is still the dominator. When as many games this year, the lines are separated, Xavi can not go up and down and Busquets can not cover everything and is when the defensive problems are magnified. And this is know by all teams. Madrid, too. And this is exploited in almost every game. When we run like in the schoolyard we suffer too much at the back, for the very simple reason that there is no 8 or 9 players to defend. When the team comes together, it is easier to recover the ball and better to defend. The defense suffers, beyond the gaps that may exist, by this disorder and Valdés is becoming more critical than before and now is much more involved in the game with hands than with feet, and this means that opponents arrives too often to the goal.

2) Messi, for the same reason, is much less part of the game, but instead, it is much more crucial now. O scoring, or assisting. And that's a lot. The problem is in his "disconnections" that, as I say, are given by the "new" way of playing of Barça. Earlier, Messi appeared not to much to get balls. Now, he has to come a lot to look for them, because they don't arrive to his area of ​​influence. And that, often is not good.

3) Let us keep clear. Yesterday was a great game for football fans, but I do not think it was for many coaches. Crazy matches, with "races" to here or there only like to the weaker teams, knowing that it is much easier for them to take advantage of this type of game. This must be fixed by Barça. And, the sooner the better, because, in Champions League, Atlético will do the same as Madrid did yesterday: closed at back and go to the counter, and these are equally or more dangerous than those playing this type of game.

If we want to go to Lisbon, together and "ordered", which is what led us to Paris, Rome or London.

Jordi Pascual

You can follow me on Twitter: @JordiPascualP

THEY UNDERSTAND NOTHING

Days pass and the stuff still goes on. Newspapers, radios, televisions, social networks are full of reasons for or against. And many, speak for not being silent, because they show that they have understood nothing. About nothing.

They have not understood that the club is owned by 138,000 members, who are the "legal" owners but there are millions of fans around the world who are "sentimental" owners. And you can't play with feelings.

They have not understood that Messi is the best player in the world and possibly in history and must be paid as it is. Not like "this man"

They have not understood that, here, is not enough to win. Here you have to win and play well, it's football, basketball or bowling.

They have not understood that what has captured half of the world, precisely because of this, have not been the titles "per se", but the way in which they were won.

They have not understood that if we are a world'sl reference, is because we have all the teams that play all the same way, from the youngest to the oldest. And if you want to change the style, it should be at all levels. Not doing so would be an inconsistency.

They have not understood the meaning of planning. Planning means having clear which players must leave the Club and which have to come, who should be monitored to within 1-2 years, what contracts they have, what options other clubs have. The last example: it seems to be made ​​a trip to see a player ... that was injured.

They have not understood that what was done with Abidal and Mickael is unworthy of a club like this. There are many ways of doing things.

They have not understood that the image of the Club deteriorates because, everywhere, and they are not Barca fans, they do not understand why Guardiola went away, why Valdés is leaving, why the President resigns, what about the signing of Neymar, what about Tax Deal, etc.

They have not understood that you can not say "NO" to a reform of 250M€for being "uneconomic" and make one that will cost 600M€, without any Project.

They have not understood that the reform can not be approved based on "scaring" the "socis" (members), about the disgraces that will happen if nothing is done.

They have not understood that if the result of the poll for the reform is "NO", they have to go out. So clear. Their legitimacy will be reduced to nothing.

They have not understood that "to attack" the President of the Club is not to attack the Club. Especially when what is attacked is the lack of transparency of the President and the Board. And more, when you see that these "attacks" had many fundamentals.

They have not understood that Board members are servants of the Club, that is, of "socis" (members), and they have been chosen to drive the ship at a time. Afterwards, we would choose them again if we think they have done well and will choose others if we think they have done wrong.

They have not understood that many of us have done a lot of miles and have lost hours of study and work to go watching Barça everywhere. We have gone to European Finals of football, basketball, etc. long before some of them were members of the Club. And, paying it from our pocket, obviously. Never before it has been so many "compromises" with the issue of the tickets away og home, whatever finals or other matches.

They have not understood that being critical is not being "evil environment". It's to say what we do not like. Although we may be wrong. And that does not mean that we want the team to lose matches. I want to win always. But, as I said before, there are ways and ways to win.

They have not understood that telling lies (or writing them), to defend the indefensible can not be done. Sooner or later, we will know the truth of all.

They have not understood that the most important, always, are those on the pitch or the hall. These are where they are thanks to those, not vice versa.

They have not understood that, those who are there, at the stands, we understand everything, even our face shows we understood nothing.

Jordi Pascual

You can follow me on Twitter: @JordiPascualP

TO REPEAT

I see there are coaches who are opposed to "non directional" games/exercises, ie, those in which there is no goals or place to score. They say they are unrealistic and that these circumstances do not occur in a football game.

There are also many who say that all these games with restrictions (touches per player, minimum number of passes, etc.), are not suitable, because this does not happen in football games.

Well, if we go with this approach are not valid, for example, those exercises where a player runs down the wing to cross and two teammates arrive for finishing, all it without any opposition. This does not happen in a football game. Nor would be valid an exercise of defenders against attackers finishing at the moment when the defender gets the ball because the defense must do something with the ball, doesn't he?. Nor would be a game of 4v4 in an area of ​​40x30m. because the pitch has very different measures. Nor would be valid ... put whatever you want.

But it would not be valid the series of sprints, or work in the gym, nor a lot of things you do in football practices .

Applying this criteria, the only proper training would be an 11v11 game and only allow subs that can be made by category, age, etc.  Nothing else, because the rest is "unreal".

The training serves to prepare and learn things. A football match is like a performance in the theater or a musical performance. It takes many hours of preparation, correct mistakes, preparing different "pieces" to have it finally all assembled.

Let's return to the "non-directional" games. What are they? That's it. It is a piece, a part of the way of playing that a team can have. And one of the things that has been understood less in the "positional playing" is this touching and touching the ball. The ball is played until you can pass and you pass to break lines. You move the ball to move the opponent, until you find a "hole" where to pass the ball. Hence the great importance of these activities. Players learn to spread the ball under pressure. They learn to move while retaining its structure on the field. They learn to support the partner who has the ball, either getting closer or further. They learn to protect themselves when the opposing squeezes. They learn to be patient while finding the right time of the pass. They learn many things.

And those who do not have the ball learn to go together as a bloc to press. They learn to swing from side to side to avoid these passes that break lines. They learn the needed communication to work together in the same direction when making movements. They learn to be patient when the opponents are touching and touching the ball and it's not possible to recover the ball. They learn to cover the teammate when he is beat. They learn many things.

I'll go further. What it is, is that a certain fact is being done many times. The more times the player has made a move, the easier it is to do so at game time. It is clear that as much as you work "2 touches" at exercises, the game will be different. There will be times when you will play at first touch and, sometimes, the player will run with the ball to pass or shoot or whatever. Now, if we don't do the ball to go fast in practices, hard that it goes fast at matches (if we want that to happen at games, of course).

And obviously, what we say about the "non-directional" games, can be applied to any type of directional activity. Imagine a game 4v4+2GK in a grid of 40x30m. For example, do we want to work interceptions? Then, give 1 point for every one that you have. Do we want our team to be compact in defense? Value the goal double if all the defensive team is not in own half when that goal is scored. Do we want this compactness in attack? All the team must be in the attacking half at the scoring moment (except the goalkeeper, of course). And as such, many examples of activities that can be made ​​to work, as we have said before, different parts of the way we play.

Think about the "pattern plays": A passes to B, this one to C, etc. What do you want when you do that ? To establish a pattern of conduct at the time of play. Nothing more, nothing less. It is a "piece" of how to play and it will be repeated many times until it's done the best possible, because, at the match, players have clear how to do it. And the same with all the exercises we have talked before.

Football is about this. Repeating the movements, actions, etc. because, in the middle of the game we can not stop and say: "It's not right. Let's do it again". That is training for. And, for this, we must profit it as much as possible.

Jordi Pascual

You can follow me on Twitter: @JordiPascualP

P.S. Btw, in next few days I'll post a post about the "positional play" and its application from "non-directional" games and also "directional" ones.