Jurgen Klopp

“What a footballer can do in and out of

possession is easy to establish, but the
deeper layers - who they are, what they
believe in, how they’ve reached this point,
what drives them, what awaits them when
they depart training - are the real details.”

– Jurgen Klopp
 Jurgen Klopp
Counter-pressing as an
offensive weapon

Overview: This session is about the creation and application of the counter-
pressing moment as an offensive weapon. It looks at recovering possession
in the shortest way and time, by creating ‘hectic situations’ in the opposition
formation. To this end, there are several principles that give us our identity.
We want to attack the opponent non-stop when we have the ball, when we
lose it and when the opposition have it. Put another way, defending is our
first offensive action. Each exercise should have this character, directly
defined by our specific way of playing, where everyone is responsible for
everything in the form of modern total football. In real terms, that means
we have a team of 11 at a time, each of whom is an attacking forward and
each of whom is a defender.
 Jurgen Klopp
Counter-pressing as an
offensive weapon

What do I get the players to do?

Tactical rondo In a 12x12-yard area we use three teams of three playing a 6v3
possession game, as shown . There is no limit on touches and the team that
loses the ball should react immediately, pressing the other two teams. The
closest player applies intense aggressive pressure and we defend in a
triangle, while the other two players control the spaces around the ball and
anticipate. In this sense, counter-pressing is the next requirement, and to be
clear, this isn’t laid down as a proposal – it’s a law!
 Jurgen Klopp
Counter-pressing as an
offensive weapon

Key Coaching Moments

In this exercise we want to create the right focus towards the essential
part of the session. We want to create hunger towards ball recovery,
creating chaotic moments and controlling these moments by being
‘quick in mind’, with orientation, skill, precision and connection. We
want short intense periods alternating with rest periods so players stay
fresh and alert to absorbing information and learning all the time. The
closest player goes 100% and puts total effort into the press. One
player can always defend two opposition by blocking the line, pressing
the ball carrier and checking over the shoulder. The two last yards of
the press define everything. As far as aggression goes – yes please! –
but this must be controlled with an anticipation of where the next pass
will go, and with team mates re-organising as a group constantly and
quickly. In terms of typical mistakes, we will sometimes witness
disappointment after losing possession whereby players offer no
immediate reaction. Development takes time – it takes time for players
to make decisions based on the collective interventions and references.
We don’t want a linear or mechanical state of play – a good and
creative development takes time. A high-intensity and counter-
pressing team will often make more mistakes because we attempt
more and perhaps accomplish more – ultimately, patience and an
expectation of making mistakes is actually okay
 Jurgen Klopp
Counter-pressing as an
offensive weapon

Using the full width of the pitch as shown , and in three quarters of a
pitch, one team of eight attacks a team of six. The team of six has one
extra player who comes alive when they win possession. The team of
eight works on their offensive organisation, their protection and the
counter- pressing principle, with players chased like they have never
been chased before! They do this in 3x6mins bursts, with 4mins rest in
between, changing players in between the rest periods. To advance
this, we can put two ‘sleeping’ players in, so creating better and more
complex ‘protection’. Here, the offensive organisation is to attract and
then go.
 Jurgen Klopp
Counter-pressing as an
offensive weapon

We want to unbalance the two lines by quick and early circulation

(offensive aggression), and our players must overlap to create
dangerous crossing situations, as shown. In terms of typical mistakes,
this can often come down to there being no protection, therefore the
team of six can easily find the sleeping player and counter-attack and
cover spaces well. Players can forget where the sleeping player is, and
there is also that disappointment factor again in losing possession.
Instead, we want them to react, viewing any loss of possession as an
opportunity (to win it back).
 Jurgen Klopp

“A high-intensity and counter-pressing

team will often make more mistakes
because we attempt more and
perhaps accomplish more – ultimately,
patience and an expectation of
making mistakes is actually okay”
– Jurgen Klopp
 Jurgen Klopp
Use of Space and Switching
Play

Overview:
This is a multidirectional session designed to manufacture and work
on the use of space and switches of play when in possession of the
ball. This session would be used early on in the week, or as a
reintroduction or compensation load for non-regulars, with the idea
of working on a tactical topic without the need to worry about
specific positions or situations that might apply on the weekend.
 Jurgen Klopp
Use of Space and Switching
Play

Overview:
Switching play rondos (4v1s/4v2s) (15 mins) We set this up using five
groups of four players, as shown , with one group acting as defenders
and four groups occupying the four squares shown above. The idea is
to get the players on 4v1 situations in their own square where they
have to complete a minimum of four passes before transferring the
ball to a different square. The defending group has to try to intercept
the ball as quickly as possible. Rotating teams every two minutes, we
count the number of transfers before an interception occurs, therefore
identifying the two groups with the most transfers conceded as losing
teams. We can vary the conditions between one- and two-touch to
alter the difficulty and increase the quality on the switches of play, as
well as offering extra rewards if transferring to the opposite square.
 Jurgen Klopp
Use of Space and Switching
Play

Overview:
Firstly, the defending team is allowed to fill all the boxes with a
defender. In the next progression the defending team is allowed to
put a maximum of two players in the square where the ball is, with
defenders also positioned in the middle areas in order to cut off the
switch of play to other boxes, as shown
 Jurgen Klopp
Use of Space and Switching
Play

Overview:
Principally, we are looking for the detail of the pass, good movement, and the
exploitation of angles so that players are able to transfer the ball from square
to square. Players must communicate well, with awareness of team mates
and opponents, and be alert to a turnover of possession, be that near to them
or in a different area.

8v8+2 possession 4 Squares (25 mins)

This is a multidirectional possession practice with two teams of eight players
plus two floaters, who try to support the team i n possession. The team in
possession must use the space wisely for keeping possession with the idea of
switching the ball. We will follow the principles of not completing more than
four passes within the same
area, with the team in possession gaining a point every time they successfully
complete those four passes and switch the ball to another area. We can limit
the number of players in each square if the group is struggling
 Jurgen Klopp
Use of Space and Switching
Play

We now set up a 6v6+6 small sided game with central goals, as shown . Two
teams of six players compete for possession of the ball inside the area marked
between lines, with a third team of six used as floaters on the outside. The
goals face opposite ways in the middle of the pitch with a keeper in each,
dividing the area in two sub-areas. Both teams inside the areas are free to
move their players wherever they like, but they must always adopt the
principles of having a shape and an organised balance in using that space
cleverly. To be able to score or attack the goal, the team in possession
has to switch the play from one space to the other at least once, to then
identify the best moment in setting up a chance on goal. To manufacture
situations the number of touches can be manipulated with the teams inside
the area. So, for instance, by
going ‘all in’ we would be trying to manufacture and use the 1v1s produced
inside the areas, or by floaters on the outside. If insisting on two touches, we
would be looking for switches of play coming from wide; and if directing play
as one-touch, perhaps we’d be keeping an eye out for players supporting on
the inside.
 Jurgen Klopp
Use of Space and Switching
Play

We now set up a 6v6+6 small sided game with central goals, as shown . Two
teams of six players compete for possession of the ball inside the area marked
between lines, with a third team of six used as floaters on the outside. The
goals face opposite ways in the middle of the pitch with a keeper in each,
dividing the area in two sub-areas. Both teams inside the areas are free to
move their players wherever they like, but they must always adopt the
principles of having a shape and an organised balance in using that space
cleverly. To be able to score or attack the goal, the team in possession
has to switch the play from one space to the other at least once, to then
identify the best moment in setting up a chance on goal. To manufacture
situations the number of touches can be manipulated with the teams inside
the area. So, for instance, by
going ‘all in’ we would be trying to manufacture and use the 1v1s produced
inside the areas, or by floaters on the outside. If insisting on two touches, we
would be looking for switches of play coming from wide; and if directing play
as one-touch, perhaps we’d be keeping an eye out for players supporting on
the inside.
 Jurgen Klopp

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