Bombers Football Club

19/11/2025

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06/07/2023

4v4+3 POSITIONAL RONDO

Guardiola is using positional rondos (especially 4v4+3) in most of his training sessions, rather than a basic warm-up exercise, he sees rondos as an essential training tool to develop his players. When practicing rondos, he demands maximum speed and concentration, mental sharpness is a must. Tactically 4v4+3 improves the ability of players to keep possession of the ball in the 7v4 overload. It also tunes their ability to break lines to find the neutral player in the centre (green 6). It develops their overall ability to progress the ball vertically in a variety of ways, even when the game is being played at a high speed and in a small space. Defending players (black team in the diagram) learn to reduce space by pressing as a unit, covering passing lanes and forcing the turnover. It also teaches transitions, as the team that just won the ball, needs to transition into outside possession positions under pressure from now defending team counter-pressing immediately after loosing the ball, while neutral players (green) need to quickly readjust to different set of "team-mates".

"FOOTBALL INTELLIGENCE" - What is football intelligence? How to develop intelligent players? How important is mental speed in the modern game? How to build a winning mentality? How to set goals and build confidence? How to build a winning culture? (Gasperini, Klopp, Deschamps, Simeone, Rodgers) How to train smarter? What are the benefits of rondos, positional rondos, small sided games and training the pattern play? What is integrated training (training The Barca way)? What is differential training? (Bielsa, Tuchel) What is Tactical periodisation? Is position specific training important? What is sustainable club? Why is data the future of football? How is technology improving performance? https://www.phaseofplay.com/shop

03/07/2023

WIDE COMBINATION TRIANGLES

Guardiola looks to move the ball quickly and often over short areas to create passing networks and bypass the lines of opposition pressure. Usually a triangle is created between winger, central midfielder in the half-space and a full-back. These players are then supported by holding midfielder, centre-back and potentially a striker acting as a false 9. By having three players in close proximity, they are able to interchange positions and pass the ball quickly, making it difficult for the opposition to defend. The presence of an extra player in the wide areas also provides numerical superiority, allowing to outnumber the opposition and create scoring opportunities.

"PRINCIPLES OF THE POSITIONAL PLAY" - Complete guide to understanding and coaching positional play. Tactical theory covers 10 principles used by masters of the positional play like Johan Cruyff and Pep Guardiola: playing out from the back, control of possession, positioning, movement, compactness, exploiting half-spaces, combination play, counter-pressing, vertical play and overload to isolate. With 40 tactical practices included (4 practices to coach each of the 10 principles). www.phaseofplay.com/shop

29/06/2023

2-3-5 ATTACKING FORMATION

To pe*****te a low defensive block, Guardiola has been using attacking 2-3-5 formation (or 3-2-5). The idea behind having 5 attacking players is that they spread across all five vertical channels, which creates gaps between defensive lines and helps create positional overloads. 3 players in midfield act as support options and as the first line of defence, in case the ball is lost. 2 players at the back act as the rest defence, in case counter-pressing effort is unsuccessful. Full-backs or wingers are usually wide on the sidelines of the pitch. They stretch the defence and create interior spaces and passing lanes. The opening of these spaces provides a better environment for the "interiores" and creates superiorities and free men in the most strategically important area of the field - the center (including half-spaces).

"PRINCIPLES OF THE POSITIONAL PLAY" - Complete guide to understanding and coaching positional play. Tactical theory covers 10 principles used by masters of the positional play like Johan Cruyff and Pep Guardiola: playing out from the back, control of possession, positioning, movement, compactness, exploiting half-spaces, combination play, counter-pressing, vertical play and overload to isolate. With 40 tactical practices included (4 practices to coach each of the 10 principles). www.phaseofplay.com/shop

24/06/2023

We Are Champions!! ⚽🐐❤️

23/06/2023

14/06/2023

“The holding midfielder has to be there and not move. Like the driver of the car.” – Pep Guardiola

Pep Guardiola's philosophy revolves around positional play and maintaining a certain structure during build-up and possession phases to ensure control of the game. The role of the holding midfielder (also known as the defensive midfielder or the pivot) is crucial in this system. Guardiola uses the metaphor of the "driver of the car" for the holding midfielder, highlighting the importance of this role in controlling the rhythm and direction of the team's play:

1. CONTROLLING TEMPO AND DIRECTION OF PLAY: The holding midfielder in Guardiola's system often acts as the deep-lying playmaker. They are responsible for receiving the ball from defenders, distributing it effectively, and dictating the tempo of the game, much like a driver controls the speed and direction of a car.

2. POSITIONAL DISCIPLINE: The quote "has to be there and not move" underscores the importance of positional discipline for the holding midfielder. While other players may have more freedom to interchange positions and move around, the holding midfielder must remain in their position to provide a constant option for a safe pass, to shield the defence, and to help maintain the team's structural integrity.

3. PROVIDING BALANCE: Holding midfielder provides balance between attack and defence. They need to be aware of when to recycle possession, when to progress the ball forward, and when to sit back and shield the defence.

4. SPATIAL AWARENESS AND PRESS RESISTANCE: Holding midfielder must have excellent spatial awareness and press resistance, as they often receive the ball under pressure from opposing players.

One great example of a holding midfielder in Guardiola's system is Sergio Busquets at Barcelona. He consistently showcased positional discipline, incredible spatial awareness, and excellent distribution skills, effectively acting as the "driver" of the team. In Manchester City, Rodri and Fernandinho have played similar roles.

"PRINCIPLES OF THE POSITIONAL PLAY" - Complete guide to understanding and coaching positional play. Tactical theory covers 10 principles used by masters of the positional play like Johan Cruyff and Pep Guardiola: playing out from the back, control of possession, positioning, movement, compactness, exploiting half-spaces, combination play, counter-pressing, vertical play and overload to isolate. With 40 tactical practices included (4 practices to coach each of the 10 principles). www.phaseofplay.com/shop

24/05/2023

"Cannot play dominant football with (flat) 4-4-2. Triangles disappear. You should always have triangles, only then you have passing options." - Johan Cruyff

Positional Play isn’t about possession but position. Optimal positioning helps achieve positional superiority and gain advantage over the opponent. Johan Cruyff developed a game model based on triangles: each player, regardless of his location on the pitch, had to position himself to form that shape. He considered this the ideal basis from which his team could keep the ball, while always offering the ball-carrier two passing options. Even better when both options are diagonal, diagonal passes are advantageous as they overplay vertical and horizontal lines and are therewith more difficult to defend. Also, it is easier for the receiver to control the ball, as opposed to the vertical pass, player receiving a diagonal pass is already facing the direction of the goal.

"PRINCIPLES OF THE POSITIONAL PLAY" - Complete guide to understanding and coaching positional play. Tactical theory covers 10 principles used by masters of the positional play like Johan Cruyff and Pep Guardiola: playing out from the back, control of possession, positioning, movement, compactness, exploiting half-spaces, combination play, counter-pressing, vertical play and overload to isolate. With 40 tactical practices included (4 practices to coach each of the 10 principles). www.phaseofplay.com/shop

23/05/2023

LOW DEFENSIVE BLOCK

A low defensive block refers to the positioning of the team's defenders near the goal line, forming a compact and organized defence to protect against incoming attacks from the opposing team. This tactic is often used when the team is leading by a narrow margin and looking to prevent the other team from scoring. The defenders will maintain a low and compact formation, with the goalkeeper positioned at the centre of the goal line and the defenders in front of him forming a tight defensive line. This allows for quick and efficient movement to close down on attackers and block shots on goal, while also limiting the space for the opposing team to maneuver and create scoring opportunities, especially in the central zone as it is typically the most dangerous area where opposing attackers can create goal-scoring chances. By congesting this central space, the defending team reduces the opponent's ability to find gaps and exploit defensive weaknesses. By staying compact in the central areas defending team forces the attacking team wide, however, it than must act to prevent crosses from coming in.

"THE ART OF DEFENDING": Solidify your team's defensive play. Coaching e-manual, tactical theory and 40 tactical practices, arranged according to out of possession phases of play.
Pressing principles and tactics. Pressing triggers and traps. Coaching counter-pressing, pressing from high, mid and low blocks. Compactness - the key principle. Coaching compactness. Defensive organisation in mid and low blocks. Defending against a switch of play. Protecting danger zones. defending crosses and corners. Coaching defending the box. Work as a back four unit. www.phaseofplay.com/shop

22/05/2023

“There is one rule in football: when you have the ball, do not to lose it. We had some simple passes that we lost. Against the top sides in Europe we would be punished." - Pep Guardiola

Continuity and flow of possession for a long duration does bring a sense of control. Possession of the ball psychologically frustrates opposition, because they cannot do what they want, players also get tired faster out of possession. Another benefit of controlling possession is the fact that opposition can't score without having the ball, it is surely the best way of defending. However, possession is merely a consequence of Positional play, not an ultimate goal. Ultimate goal is to establish control and score.

"PRINCIPLES OF THE POSITIONAL PLAY" - Complete guide to understanding and coaching positional play. Tactical theory covers 10 principles used by masters of the positional play like Johan Cruyff and Pep Guardiola: playing out from the back, control of possession, positioning, movement, compactness, exploiting half-spaces, combination play, counter-pressing, vertical play and overload to isolate. With 40 tactical practices included (4 practices to coach each of the 10 principles). www.phaseofplay.com/shop

21/05/2023

4v2 TO 6V4 DOUBLE RONDO WITH TRANSITIONS:

Practice begins with the blue team in possession, in a 4v2 rondo. Blue team scores a point by connecting 10 passes in a row. Once 2 players from the black team recover the ball, it becomes 6v4 rondo, with blue team counter-pressing to recover the ball in the 20x20 area. Black team scores a point by connecting 10 passes in a row, while blue team can score a point by regaining the ball and scoring into one of the 4 mini-goals positioned outside (with black team counter-pressing). 2 touches max for both teams throughout rondo phase, however, when the blue team recovers the ball in a 6v4 situation they have unlimited touches when trying to score which encourages dribbling out of the pressure zones.

COACHING POINTS:

Individual principles: Interceptions, Body shape, Anticipation.

Team principles: Support, Cover, Communication, Compactness.

Pressing principles: Press immediately after the ball is lost, Speed and Intensity, Press the ball and cut off the passing lanes.

15/05/2023

A recent switch to 3-2-4-1 formation is providing Manchester City with the right balance between defence and attack while maintaining a strong presence in midfield. In the 3-2-4-1 formation, the team is structured with three defenders, two defensive midfielders, four attacking midfielders/wingers, and one striker.

1. Defensive Solidity and Support: With three central defenders at the back, the team can effectively deal with opposing counter-attacks, while providing passing options to support the midfield players when needed. Double pivot also adds to the defensive solidity, with Guardiola admitting that this season they improved in terms of the defensive balance.

2. Midfield Numerical Superiority and Control: The two defensive midfielders and two number 8’s can form a box-like structure in the middle of the pitch (while wingers provide the width). This creates a 4v3 or a 4v2 situation against most opposing teams who play with three or two midfielders. This numerical superiority allows Manchester City to control the midfield, dominate possession, and dictate the tempo of the game.

3. Attacking Threat: Two number 8’s (De Bruyne and Gundogan) operate between the defensive lines, once one of them receives the ball, it forces opposition defenders to break defensive line and engage the attacking player in possession of the ball (De Bruyne in the diagram). Consequently, it creates gaps for striker or wingers to move into, which often leads to goal scoring opportunities.

4. Pressure and Transition: With a numerical advantage in midfield and 3 canter backs covering, Manchester City can press more effectively in the opposition half. Once the ball is won, there are plenty of passing options for quick transitions, especially with Haaland ready to capitalize on quick attacking transitions.

5. Adaptability: This formation allows for fluidity and can easily morph into other formations depending on the game's needs. For example, when defending, it can become a 5-4-1 with the