In recent years, we have observed a shift in soccer training concepts and methodologies. The biggest break from traditional training methods probably occurred in Portugal and Spain. One of the most contemporary training approaches in soccer is what is called "tactical periodization."
What is tactical periodization?
The tactical periodization method was developed by Vitór Frade, a professor at the University of Porto (Portugal), and it is applied by Jose Mourinho and Andre Vilas Boas, among others. Explained in a simplified way, the basic methodological and pedagogical principle behind tactical periodization is that soccer must be "trained/learned" by respecting its logical structure. For tactical periodization, the "logical structure" of the game revolves around the four moments of the game: defensive organization, defensive-to-offensive transition, offensive organization, and offensive-to-defensive transition.
The 4 "moments" of the game
Therefore, at least one of these four moments of the game is always present in each training exercise following the principle called specificity.
"We can differentiate traditional analytical training where different factors are trained independently, integrated training, which uses the ball but where the fundamental concerns are not very different from the traditional; and there is my way of training, which is called tactical periodization. It has nothing to do with the previous two, even though many people think so."
Mourinho, 2006
What are the methodological principles of tactical periodization?
The style of play
The style of play in soccer reflects the set of interactions between your players, as well as how they make their decisions. This decision-making should not be random, but it should be based on certain principles that follow an internal logic. While building the team's game model, coaches must consider several factors operating in a given specific context, where each factor is just as important as the next. Here's what it looks like:
The style of play
"For me, the most important aspect in my teams is to have a defined game model, a set of principles that provide organization. That's why, from day one, our attention is directed towards this goal."
Mourinho, 2006
The idea of the game that the coach has in mind is obviously a key aspect of building the game model (or style of play). It is imperative that players know exactly what they must do at every moment of the game. Thus, the model consists of principles, sub-principles, and sub-sub-principles of play that represent different moments of the match.
It is important to understand that defining and creating a relevant and clear game model should not be perceived as something that will force players to act like "robots" following a predefined plan. On the contrary, the main objective of a clear style of play is to reduce players' uncertainty, which should give them more time to use their creativity.
Principle of specificity
This first principle is the most important of tactical periodization. Specificity appears when there is a permanent relationship between all dimensions of the game and the training exercises are specifically representative of the game model (style of play). The concept of specificity guides and directs the training process. In this regard, Vitor Frade states that regardless of the characteristics of the training exercises (for example, with more or fewer players, larger or smaller spaces), they should always be articulated in a way that allows our principles of play to be addressed, then learned and used in competition.
"For me, training means training specifically. That is, creating exercises that allow me to highlight my principles of play."
Mourinho, 2006
But each exercise is just "potentially specific." Respect for the principle of specificity will only be achieved if, during training, players understand the goals and objectives of the exercise, and they maintain high levels of concentration. Therefore, your intervention is crucial and must be appropriate.
Making tactical principles of play operational
A team tends to be attracted to dynamic behavior that represents its identity and describes an action pattern. To make these theoretical aspects concrete, each training exercise must conform to the style of play (game model) and the concept of specificity. These references must be present in daily work to bring specific adaptations and tactical knowledge. If the proposed exercise is designed without considering the style of play, the promoted adaptations can have negative effects and hinder the acquisition of the desired knowledge. It is crucial that the exercises reflect the way we want to play as well as the randomness and unpredictability of a match. This implies that each of the proposed exercises must lead to something that the players do not control. Since soccer is non-linear, training exercises, even if they are simpler, should be non-linear.
"One of the most difficult challenges is to make our style of play operational by creating exercises where we can bring together all aspects, without ever forgetting our first concern: to value a given principle of our game model."
Mourinho, 2006
The coach's intervention plays a key role in conducting the exercise, and it is also important to note that the structural and functional configuration of the exercises is crucial to comply with the specificity of the game. This means that some exercises, due to their structure, promote functionality (for example, the acquisition of behaviors without even realizing it).
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Hierarchical organization of game principles
The principles of play are complex concepts because they involve several interdependent variables. This is why tactical periodization breaks them down to reduce their complexity. Thus, the principles of play are subdivided into sub-principles, and they themselves are further fragmented into sub-sub-principles. The goal is to make them more understandable for the players. This process of breaking down the principles of play must be done carefully, respecting the style of play (game model) in place.
Hierarchical organization: example
Each specific principle of the game model is directly linked to one of the four moments of the game. The principles of play do not all have the same value, which is why there is a hierarchical organization. Some principles are more important and valued than others in terms of what is expected.
"I wrote a document that will never be published. It's my training file, where I keep all my specific training guidelines. In other words, all my training objectives and how to achieve them through my methodological principles and the exercises implemented. If I had to name this document, its title would be: 'The evolution of my training concepts.'"
Mourinho, 2007
The ability of a coach to articulate all the principles that conform to a game model will help determine the team's DNA, and thus the coach's conception of the game.
The concepts of "tactical fatigue" and "tactical concentration"
The performance of soccer players requires constant tactical thinking, both in the game and in training. Players must concentrate, and the development of a tactical attitude implies the development of an attitude to think and decide quickly. Mastery of specific techniques and the ability to make tactical decisions depend on their suitability to the game situation. This means that high levels of concentration from the first to the last minute of the game are essential. Therefore, intensity is not an intangible concept; it is directly linked to the principles and sub-principles of the game which, when trained through well-designed exercises, will guide a player's future actions and thoughts. The more variables there are for players to analyze when performing training exercises, the more demanding and intense the situation will be.
"Concentration is learned. This can be done through training according to a specific philosophy. I cannot dissociate training intensity from the concept of concentration. When I say that soccer is made up of high-intensity actions, I also refer to the need for permanent concentration: it is implicit in the game."
Mourinho, 2006
Intensity will differ from day to day, as the complexity of training sessions varies. We can illustrate the concept of relative maximum intensity with this example: a team played on Sunday, so the player on Monday and Tuesday is not fully recovered physically, mentally, or emotionally. To be able to overcome all the challenges that Tuesday's training may require, the player must work at a maximum concentration intensity. This maximum intensity, however, will not be enough to overcome the increasing complexity (and intensity) that training tasks will demand on Wednesday and Thursday. Therefore, from tactical periodization, intensity is always maximum in terms of concentration, but relative to the recovery and preparation of the players to train.
The higher the level of concentration of players during training, the less likely they are to make mistakes. High concentration offers a higher degree of learning, which is why coaches should always seek maximum concentration in training.
