POSITIONAL

PLAY

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TABLE OF CONTENTS
Book organization 02

I. CHAPTER 01: POSITIONAL PLAY

05
IN THEORY

Introduction 07
1.Positional play principles 11
1.1 The spaces 12
1.2 The corridors and the zones 15
1.3 Staggering positioning 20
1.4 Maintaining the width 23
1.5 Driving the ball 25
2. The different functional roles 29
2.1 The free man 35
2.2 The third man 37
2.3 The compensator 39
3. The superiorities 41
3.1 Numerical superiority 41
3.2 Positional superiority 43
3.3 Qualitative superiority 45
3.4 Socio-affective superiority 47

II. CHAPTER 02: MANCHESTER CITY

50
POSITIONAL IDEAS

III. CHAPTER 03: TRAINING SESSIONS 64

01
 THE BOOK ORGANIZATION

The organization of this book consists of three

chapters:

Chapter 01:

The positional play style is explained in theory, the

different zones and spaces, as well as the principles
that shape this philosophy.

Chapter 02:

The second chapter explains Manchester City's

positional structures against different opposing
pressing lines.

Chapter 03:

The book provides sessions from elite teams to

practice this style of play.

02
''The objective is to move the opponent,
not the“ ball.”

– Pep Guardiola

03
04
 CHAPTER 01

POSITIONAL PLAY
IN THEORY

05
06
 CHAPTER 01

INTRODUCTION

The main principle of "Juego de Posición" is to

always seek superiorities on the football field. This
superiority can be accomplished by being superior
in terms of position, numerically, or qualitatively.
Pep Guardiola, one of current football's most
successful coaches, has made this "Juego de
Posición," or Positional play, his basic philosophy.
Implementing this style of play is a difficult task
that requires the ability of all players to adapt to the
system. Under Pep Guardiola, the Barcelona team
was one of the few models in the world where all 11
players constantly knew and executed their
responsibilities.

'' I want players who can make decisive moves in

small spaces, I want them to work as little as
possible to save energy for that decisive action.''

- Johan Cruyff

Positional play is built on the training ground. It is

pre-planned and practiced with effortful sessions
by all the players so that they have a clear picture of

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 CHAPTER 01

the various scenarios which may occur in real-

time and effectively respond to them. The
responses to different situations on the pitch are
designed to achieve superiority and control. As a
consequence, this superiority will help the attacking
side penetrate the opposition's defense using one or
a group of positional play characteristics.

Because Juego de Posición requires superiority in

all aspects of the game, it's clear to see why the
goalkeeper is such a crucial player on Pep's side.
You would want to keep your numerical advantage,
especially in the back. If two opponents press your
center-backs, your goalkeeper will become an
active player, making it a 3v2 situation, allowing
you to keep the numerical advantage.

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CHAPTER 01

“Positional play is all about creating

superiorities behind the back of the line
that presses you, everything is easier when
the ball comes out clean. "

Juan Manuel LILLO

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 CHAPTER 01

'' Our players had four reference points: the ball,

the space, the opponent, and their own teammates.
Every movement had to happen in relation to these
reference points. Each player had to decide which
of these reference points should determine his
movements. ''

- Arrigo Sacchi

10
POSITIONAL PLAY
PRINCIPLES

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 CHAPTER 01

1.1 The Spaces

Conceptualized by Paco Seirul-lo (the director of

training methodology at FC Barcelona), there are
spaces distributed according to zones of influence
on the field depending on the location of the ball.
The space between the ball carrier and the first
direct opponent is called "intervention space". The
space that contains all the partners close to the ball
carrier is the "mutual support space" (or direct
cooperation zone) and the space that contains the
partners further away from the ball carrier is the
"cooperation space" (or indirect cooperation zone).

“Football is a sport in which you have to watch

what is going on around you to find the best
possible solution. If you do not relate to others, you
do not know anything and you cannot do anything.
There is the space-time thing to apprehend in this
game…it is the possibility of controlling what you
do and what others do because you play with your
head and not only with your feet. ‘But how can I
find spaces if there are not any?’ There are always
some. You have to move the ball from one side to
the other, move, move again, and there you go,
there is space. I spent my life searching for it,
finding ways. Ask where is that space? How to make
it happen?”
– Xavi Hernandez
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 CHAPTER 01

"In fact, these spaces are constantly redefining

themselves with each movement of the ball and
players can have one or more functional roles in
them at the same time, even when they are not
close to the ball. If I always have a function in the
game, wherever I am on the field, I am useful to the
team. So if I'm the winger, away from the ball, and I
don't touch the ball for 2 or 3 minutes, I know I'm
actually useful to the team so I'm not frustrated and
I'm not going to get inside the game and "eat up" a
teammate's space to touch the ball. From my
positioning, as Paco Seirul-lo says, I will "offer
oxygen to the players who are in the spaces of
mutual support and the space of intervention". This
facilitates the ability to be connected to his partners
and in before, during, and after the sequence", says
Pierre Mazet.

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 CHAPTER 01

1.2 The corridors and the zones

In the positional game, the field is divided into five

vertical lanes (Guardiola's pitch): the two wings, the
two inside corridors ( Half-spaces), and the central
corridor. Depending on the nature of the game,
each player has specific responsibilities within these
zones, to keep an advantage over the opposition, ex.
players make runs, overlaps/underlaps.

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CHAPTER 01

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 CHAPTER 01

Horizontally, the field can be divided into three

dynamic zones that are constantly moving
according to the movements of the ball and the
players:

1) the initiation zone, which is the space in front

of the first line of the opponent's pressure.

2) the progression zone, is the zone inside the

opponent's block with a high concentration of
players and where the pressure will obviously be
strong.

3) the finishing zone, which corresponds to the

space behind the defensive line.

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CHAPTER 01

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 CHAPTER 01

The zones are not fixed, they change according to the movement of the
ball and the players.

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 CHAPTER 01

1.3 Staggering positioning

This is the idea of not being on the same line

(horizontally or vertically) as close teammates to
multiply passing options and prevent an opponent
player from being able to defend two players at the
same time. Positioning yourself at different heights
allows you to create positional superiorities, to
threaten the back of the line that is pressing you,
with the result that the famous triangles are formed
on the field. It also makes it easier to recover the
ball in case of losing it.

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The fact that the FULL-BACK, the midfielder, and the winger
are not located at the same height makes it easier to
create passing lines

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CHAPTER 01

The positioning of the players at different heights allows the

creation of the so-called triangles on the field

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 CHAPTER 01

1.4 Maintaining the width

Amplitude defines the idea of occupying as much

space as possible across the width of the field in
order to expand the playing area and stretch the
opponent. It also allows players inside the game to
have more space and time to exploit.

Taking advantage of the width is something

Guardiola teams look constantly to do in order to
attract the opposing block, one player is tasked for
that, as the wide regions will rarely be occupied by
two.

“The principle idea of Positional Play is that

players pass the ball to each other in close spaces to
be able to pass to a wide-open man.”

– Juan Manuel Lillo

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CHAPTER 01

By being wide, the wingers allow the right midfielder and the
central striker to have more space to exploit. They helped to
oxygenate the game

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 CHAPTER 01

1.5 Driving the ball

With the objective of releasing a partner, the ball

carrier is asked to drive the ball, i.e. to keep the ball
by moving forward or backward in order to attract
his opponent towards him. What you have to
understand in "la conduccion", which is the term in
Spanish, is that you have to fix a player who is not
your direct opponent to be able to really free a
teammate because if I fix the opponent in my zone,
I don't free anyone. On the other hand, if I fix a
teammate's direct opponent then I allow him to be
free.

'' In football, each player is responsible for

another except in the 2 central defenders vs. 1
striker type of a match. We start our 2 vs. 1 with a
central defender driving out towards the
opponent's goal, causing an opponent out to
prevent his progression freeing his partner central
defender. If we lose the ball the opponent strikers
have a 1 vs. 1 against our defenders''

- Pep Guardiola

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By driving the ball forward, the right center-back will force

the opponent, initially in charge of the right back, to come
out on him. This will free up the right back.

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 CHAPTER 01

Thanks to the intervention of a link player, the winger will be able to be

served and be in turn in good conditions. It all started with the
right center-back's driving the ball.

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 CHAPTER 01

2. The different functional roles

Each player, at each moment, will occupy a

functional role. Here are the main functions which
are given to the players on the field, which will
constantly change according to the movement of
the ball.

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The ball carrier: it is the player in possession of the ball who

can decide to drive it to become an attractor.

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 CHAPTER 01

The attractor: it is a player who by his movement, with or without ball,

will attract an opponent to free a space for one of his partners.

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 CHAPTER 01

The fixer: Is a player who by his fixed positioning will hold one
or more opponents, which will free up space for his partners

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 CHAPTER 01

The immediate receiver: this is a player who, because of his

positioning in relation to the ball carrier, can be easily and
directly found to prolong the retention of the ball.

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CHAPTER 01

The median receiver: this is a player who, because of his position

in relation to the ball carrier, cannot be found easily and
directly, but who can be found at a later stage

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 CHAPTER 01

2.1 The free-man

this is a player who, thanks to the positioning of

his teammates and the roles they will play to attract
the opponents, will find himself free and benefit
from a lot of time and space if he receives the ball.

As illustrated, the attraction and fixation of

immediate and median receivers have created a
free man who will have time and space to move
forward.

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2.2 The third man

this is a player who will not be free because he is

blocked by an opponent at first, but thanks to the
intervention of a link player he will be able to be
served in the third time under good conditions,
often in the position of a free man facing the game.
So, it is a combination where player A plays to
player B who finds player C, with player C being
the third man.

“The third man is impossible to defend against.”

- Xavi Hernandez

“Look for the third man to be able to turn and face

the play.”
- Juan Manuel Lillo

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2.3 The compensator

This is a player who, when his team has the ball,

must prepare for its possible loss and position
himself in such a way as to be able to react quickly
to any immediate opposing receivers or even the
new opposing ball carrier.

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CHAPTER 01

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 CHAPTER 01

3. The superiorities and the advantages

In the positional game, we also talk about

advantages and superiorities that will be created as
the ball moves. There are four types of
superiorities.

3.1 Numerical superiority

This is simply having more players than the

opponent in a part or zone of the field. The first
numerical superiority is given by the goalkeeper
because by actively participating in the elaboration
of the game, he becomes an eleventh field player
against 10 opponents.

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CHAPTER 01

4v2 = Numerical superiority

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 CHAPTER 01

3.2 Positional superiority

In situations of equality or even numerical

inferiority, it is a question of having a better
positioning than the opponent to get the ball out of
a pressure zone and to keep it or even make it
advance. "Positional superiority is more important
than numerical superiority. You can be in
numerical equality or in numerical inferiority and
still, with skill and talent, obtain a positional
superiority," said Mikel Etxarri, former sporting
director of Real Sociedad.

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CHAPTER 01

The 6 versus 6 is clearly to the advantage of the team in

possession of the ball thanks to the staggering of the
players

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3.3 Qualitative superiority

This is the ability to have equal numbers of

players, but the quality of the players will change
the balance of power. At Pep Guardiola's Bayern
Munich, the wingers were often theoretically in a
one-on-one situation, but because of their speed
and dribbling skills, they were often qualitatively
superior to their opponent.

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Positional play can create 1v1 situations with an attacking

player clearly superior to his direct opponent

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 CHAPTER 01

3.4 Social-affective superiority

This is a high level of connection, cooperation,

and communication between teammates, which
means that even in a clear situation of numerical
inferiority, the players will find a solution to get out
of it thanks to their complicity, both technical and
emotional, which will have been established in
training and through collaboration via the
Positional Game.

To illustrate the socio-affective superiority, we

can talk about the relationship Messi-Daniel Alves
in Barça on the right side or the trio Busquets-Xavi-
Iniesta in the heart of the game.

Scan the QR Code to watch a drill of this

superiority type, Used by Arsenal with Mikel Arteta
in 3v3 situations.

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CHAPTER 01

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 CHAPTER 02

MANCHESTER CITY
POSITIONAL IDEAS

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 CHAPTER 02

Organized in a structure either a single or double

pivot, Manchester City looks always to build from
the back securing possession. The aim is to provide
a variety of options between the lines where the
players create passing lanes prepared for that line-
breaking pass into their feet. The players support
aggressively their man in possession, as immediate
receivers or as median ones that make sure they
stay connected to the team as well, with a regular
positional discipline. As a result, this allows them to
create superiorities going forward escaping the
different opposing pressures.

The ball carrier must always have 3 different

types of passing solutions:

◉ 1- To the front: either to an option between the

lines, to a wide player, or a runner in behind.

◉ 2- Inwards.
◉ 3- To the back.

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 CHAPTER 02

Against an opposing first line of one player, The

Citizens look to build with a fluid base of two
center backs with a single pivot, two center backs
with a double pivot (as a box), or three at the back
with a single pivot. However, when they build with
a single pivot, he mostly looks to drift to either side
in order to support the backline player in
possession as an option, otherwise, he would take
the opposing striker with him to free up the far
center back, who in turn, will carry the ball forward
as a positional play principle.

“I would like to talk about Manchester City.

Manchester City is a fantastic team but they have
no clear identity. Sometimes they build up with
three, sometimes with two, sometimes their right-
back goes to play as a holding midfielder. They
have clear principles. That is the difference.
Sometimes they don't play with a center-forward,
they play with a No.10 as a center-forward, so the
identity of Manchester City is not clear. If they had
a clear identity you would be more able to manage
their shape, but the fact is they change their shape.
What doesn't change is their principles of keeping
the ball, having possession, and showing the quality
they have. The principles never change.”

- Carlo Ancelotti

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CHAPTER 02

2+1 base (2 Center-backs - single pivot)

2+2 base (2 Center-backs - doube pivot)

3+1 base (2 Center-backs - one drops from double pivot)

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CHAPTER 02

3+1 base (2 Center-backs - a deep fullback - single pivot)

single pivot attracting the opposing forward

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 CHAPTER 02

If they face a kind of man-to-man pressure as

they did against Leeds, one striker to deal with
Manchester City's two center backs, leaving his
backline in a +1 superiority, Pep Guardiola's side
would take advantage of that using their goalkeeper
Ederson being 3v1 superior. The Brazilian
goalkeeper enjoys a splendid Pass Completion
Rates and can even contribute with brilliant long
distributions if needed. However, Manchester City
used this combined with their front players rotating
positions to create chaos in Leeds's defense, as well
as, dropping deeper to leave more spaces for
Ederson to exploit. Also, the center back can use a
link player, mostly a center midfielder, to find his
far partner center back through a third man
principle. As the other center back receives and
carries the ball forward, he attracts an opposing
player who would be forced to leave his man and
press the center back. Likewise, the free man would
be found using again a third man principle.
Another solution would be playing directly to a
false nine as the midfielders' movement can drag
the opposing markers and create passing lanes for
him.
"The third man is impossible to defend,
impossible ... I'll explain what it means. Imagine
Piqué wanting to play with me, but I'm marked, I

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 CHAPTER 02

have a marker (defender) on me, a very aggressive

guy. Well, it is clear that Piqué can not pass it to me,
it is evident. If I move away, I'll take the marker
with me. Then, Messi goes down and becomes the
second man. Piqué is the 1st, Messi the 2nd, and I
am the 3rd. I have to be very alert, right?! Piqué,
then plays with the 2nd man, Messi, who returns it,
and at that moment I'm an option. I'm now free of
my marker who has moved to defend closer to the
ball. Now I'm totally unmarked and Piqué passes
me the ball. If my marker is looking at the ball,
cannot see that I'm unmarked and then I appear,
I'm the third man. We have already achieved
superiority. This is indefensible, it's the Dutch
school, it's Cruyff. It is an evolution of the Dutch
triangles. "
- Xavi Hernández

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 CHAPTER 02

Against a two men first-line pressure, Manchester

City tries to have a single pivot behind them with a
3v2 superiority in their backline, having Walker
deeper mostly, the process would attract the
opposing wide man if they have a second line of 3
or 4 players. Moreover, with the positional
superiority of the wide triangles, the Citizens
usually form, it is likely easier to progress or even
to play it inward to Rodrigo/Fernandinho if
possible.

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 CHAPTER 02

Another structure that they faced was the 5-2-1-2,

as Manchester City's three CMs would be mirrored,
they look to overload this with an inverted fullback
who joins the single pivot, in addition, to a false
nine who occupies the other opposing two center
midfielders, creating a 5v3 central overload
consequently. With the wingers higher up pinning
the opposing backline, the wide regions would be
more available for the Center midfielders to drift
and combine/create, as they can rely on Kevin De
Bruyne's early deliveries from there in the final
third.

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 CHAPTER 02

Going against an opposing first line of 3 men,

especially Jurgen Klopp's Liverpool, Manchester
City tried some ideas starting from a base of 3+2,
creating a midfield box in 3-4-3 with a false nine
mostly to occupy Liverpool's defensive midfielder.
As a result, this generated a numerical advantage
down the flank with the staggering positions of the
near players. Moreover, on another occasion, Pep
Guardiola formed another midfield box but with a
4-2-2-2 shape, tasking his wingers to make the
diagonal runs in order to prevent the center-backs
from tracking the center forward. Consequently,
8v6 superiority in the first phases of play.

Lately, Manchester City adopted a 4-2-3-1 with

high fullbacks, double pivot, and a narrow front
three. This forced Liverpool wingers to track back
in order to prevent the 2v1 situations against their
fullbacks, while centrally, the double pivot dragged
Liverpool's center midfielders from the second line
of pressure resulting in vacated spaces behind.

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CHAPTER 02

3-4-3 (midfield box)

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CHAPTER 02

4-2-2-2 (midfield box)

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 CHAPTER 03

TRAINING SESSIONS

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 CHAPTER 03

''If you have the ball, you don’t need to defend

because there is only one ball.”

-Johan Cruyff

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CHAPTER 03

Manchester city third man

run drill

C A

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Set up:

- 20 sq yards

Description:

- Player A plays to the player B who in turn bounces the

ball back to the player C.
- As player B receives, Player A makes a third man run
waiting a chip pass to the space; finishing it with a shot.

Coaching points:

- Quality of the pass.

- Timing of runs.

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FC Barcelona 7v7 +3
positional game

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Set up:

- 30*36 yards
- 17 player

Description:

- players in possession: 5 passes= 1 point

Coaching points:

- 3rd man passes

- Occupy the width and the depth.

Progression/Variation:

- a limited allowed touches

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VIllarreal cf 5v5 +2
transitional rondo

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Set up:

- 20*35 yards
- 12 players,
- 19 mins total ( 8'/1'30''/8'/1'30'')

Description:

- Bot teams in one zone with a joker at each end. The

team with the ball must complete 5 passes in one zone
and can use the joker of the near end. After that, a pass
to the far joker as everyone move to support.

Coaching points:

- Attract pressure to create space.

- Receive in an open body position, facing the field.
- 3rd man concept.

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FC Barcelona 8v8 +3
positional game

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Set up:

- 35*40 yards
- 19 player

Description:

- players in possession: 5 passes= 1 point

Coaching points:

- 3rd man passes

- Occupy the width and the depth.

Progression/Variation:

- a limited number of allowed touches

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deportivo alaves 9v3

transitional rondo

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Set up:

- 36*20 yards
- 3 grids
- 12 players + 2 GKs

Description:

- 9v3 Rondo in the middle grid where players in blue look

to secure possession, 5 passes = 1 point
- The players in red try to intercept and score in the near
Goal. 1 Goal = 3 points
- The blue players press aggressively when they lose the
ball

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Barcelona fc 5v5+3
positional game

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Set up:

- 20*25 yards
- 13 player

Description:

- Players in possession: 5 passes= 1 point

Coaching points:

- 3rd man passes

- Occupy the width and the depth.

Progression/Variation:

- A limited allowed touches

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Arsenal 6v2, 6v2,

6v0 rondos

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Set up:

- 22 player

Description:

- 3 Rondos of 6v2, 6v2, 6v0

- The players work in pairs, if your partner loses the ball,
you should both find the 6v0 rondo and join it.

Coaching points:

- Open body orientation

- Decision making

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FC Barcelona 3v1 Rondo

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Set up:

- 5 sq yards

Description:

- Outside players (blue) occupy a line each.

- Players can move to free lines to support the player in
possession.
- players in blue: 5 passes= 1 point
- player in black:1 touch= 5 point

Coaching points:

- Players should be visible to the ball carrier and away

from the defender to gain more time, creating angles of
passes by using the free lines. Body orientation to face
the passer and the receiver.

Progression/Variation:

- 1-minute sets to swap the defender. Can be used as a

competition between the groups.

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bayern munich 4v4+3

Rondo

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Set up:
- 12×24 yard grid
- 2 teams of 4 + 3 jokers
- 17 mins (5'/1'/5'/1'/5')

Description:
- Team shape in possession is important. Players should
create two diamonds to give depth and width
- Quick decisive movement by the three jokers
- Open body orientation to receive
- Defenders moving compact, as a unit to cut off passing
lanes.
Play intensely for 5-10 minutes, then swap teams (Yellow
go outside, Red come inside to defend). Repeat

Progression/Variation:
- Limit the neutral players to one or two touches when
they receive the ball
- Make the grid size smaller to increase the difficulty of
the drill

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dortmund 6v6+1
transitional rondo

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Set up:

- 30*24 with 2 grids

- 2 teams of 6 + 1 joker

Description:

- Each grid should be occupied with 6+1 vs 3

- The other grid must keep 3 players from the defending
team
- 5 passes = 1 point

Progression/Variation:

- A limited number of allowed touches.

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Chelsea fc octagonal
4v4+5 rondo

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Set up:

- 15 to 20 minutes
- 13 player.

Description:

- 2 teams of 4 players + 5 jokers ( 4 outside + 1 inside)

- To score a point you should complete 5 passes.
- 2 touches are allowed

Progression/Variation:

- 1 touch limite.

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villarreal cf 10v2
rondo

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Set up:

- 25*15
- 16 player at least
- 10/15 working time

Description:

- This rondo is played with one touch only. Defenders are

working for 15 seconds and then they swap with two new
players (at the coach's signal).
- If the inside players intercept the ball, they look for a
pass to the coach as a transition.
- The 10 players counter-press if they lose possession.

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4v2 to 6v4 rondos

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Set up:

- 20*20 ( 10*10 for the inside sequare)

Description:

- Play starts in the inside sequare with a 4v2 rondo

- If the inside players intercept the ball, they immediately
look to pass it to their teammates outside (blue),
resulting another 6v4 rondo

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Chelsea 7v7+7
positional game

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Set up:

- 50*30 yards.
- 21 player.

Description:

- 3 teams of 7 players.
- To score a goal you should receive a pass from a joker
outside the area of play.
- The jokers have one touch, while the inside payers have
two.

Progression/Variation:

- 1 touch for the inside players.

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NOTE

Positional play is a rich and complex style of play

and training. All players will have to master the
fundamentals and mechanisms of positional play to
respond to situations that arise in a football match.
It is recommended that you repeat these training
situations in order to have a real impact.

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