There was understandably a huge response when Thomas Tuchel was announced as England manager last week. The German coach has built a reputation for a unique style of play, as well as a type of leadership that has drawn many admirers from around the world of football. This week, we look at some of the initial influences on Tuchel's coaching philosophy, specifically around the area of Differential Training. Ben Lyttleon's book (Edge) shares a fascinating insight into how this school of coaching has shaped Tuchel's beliefs and training methodology. We share a little more information on Differential Training, as well as some ideas from the training pitch.
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Below are the exercise details for each one:
Exercise One: 4v4+1
Nine players are organized into two teams of four, with one neutral. Game takes place inside a 20x20 yard area with four mini-goals. Each team is assigned two mini-goals to attack and two mini-goals to defend. The neutral plays for the team in possession to create an attacking overload. The attacking objectives are to either score immediately, or use possession and support to overload the opponent and then change the point of attack. There are problems to solve both in and out of possession with these situations. If a team scores, they immediately get possession back to start another attack.
Exercise Two: 7v7+1
Fifteen players are organized into two teams of seven (including a GK) and one neutral. Players are organized in an octagon shaped pitch, with no corners. This constraint challenges players to solve problems centrally. The team with possession of the ball has access to the neutral as an overload and is looking to progress possession through the thirds to score. Once play progresses into the final third, attacking players are free to move in support of the attack. With limited depth and width, players must solve problems with combination play and intricate passing.
5v5+5 Hexagon Game
Eighteen players are organized into two teams of five with two neutrals. Game is organized inside a hexagon with six players on the outside (three for each team positioned alternatively). Game is played as a 5v5 on the inside with the two neutrals supporting the team in possession. The team in possession has a 10v5 overload with the outside players and the neutrals, and are awarded one point for every five consecutive passes. If possession is lost, the roles simply switch. The compactness of the field, along with the unique shape, challenges players with positioning on the inside and finding space amongst the pressure.
