50 Practices to Coach the Tiki Taka Style of Play

23. ATHLETIC BILBAO: Finding Space within the

Block (Pattern Play)

Objective
To introduce basic pattern play into the central midfielder’s movement amongst a middle third zone.

Description
We work with 3 players, with 2 defenders (red) and 1 midfielder (yellow). This exercise requires a particular
pattern to be learnt (example shown in the diagram’s numbered sequence) and for each and every pass to be
executed at a match realistic tempo.
The timing of the midfield player has to be immaculate and should consist of short sprint bursts rather than
continuous movement. All players should look to play with 2 touches at every station.
Once the first cycle is completed, the second cycle should completely mirror the first on the opposite side (in
the diagram the first pattern starts from the left, so the mirrored sequence starts from the right) in a continuous
sequence.

Coaching Points
1. The coach needs to enforce the pattern of play and emphasise the importance of short sprints into space that are
both well timed with the pass and appropriately positioned within the markers (which represent opponents).
2. The runs into space should be curved and the pass into the midfield space should aim to be disguised when
possible.

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