What is the main purpose of attack. It is to reach a destination on the pitch that the opponent does not expect you to arrive ! - arcelo arcelo Bielsa
How it works
Marcelo Bielsa has a reputation of being a meticulous coach, obsessed with the fitness of his players in order for them to play the intense pressing game he demands.
Murder Ball What is it?
He’s lived up to that billing as Leeds boss, as many of his players would testify. That’s something the 'murderball’ game fits into. Mateusz Klich who has starred for Bielsa at Leeds United gave an inside insight as to what exactly the t he famous murder ball game involves. “It’s basically playing 11 v 11 with no stops,” said Klich. “Constantly running around and sprinting, and you have all the coaches on the pitch basically screaming all the time and basically you can’t stop running. It’s just a normal game with normal rules, 11 v 11 on a big pitch. You just play, but you can’t stop running. It’s tough, but it’s the most important session in the week. It depends on the training how long he wants us to play. It could be five times six minutes, or one times 20 minutes. It just depends what Marcelo wants. Even if the ball goes out, there’s a member of staff waiting with another ball to put it in. You can’t stop. That’s the way he wants us to be, to play his football you need to to be very fit, you need to run a lot”
See PDF session plan or video animation for example.
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How it works
Murder Ball Session 1
This is an 11v11 game practice with no stops in play demanding a high intensity throughout.. The rules of the practice are: Play begins with a 11v11 on a full sized pitch. Coaches are placed on the pitch and on sidelines in order to constantly restart play where needed. As seen on the training ground of Leeds United Football Club the game is used either as a twenty minute game or split into periods with set times and small breaks between play. This session has a high emphasis on work rate and intensity. See PDF session plan or video animation for example.
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Murder Ball
Session Plan 1
Number of Players
Intensity
22
Very High
Time in Play
imensions
Allocated
Full Pitch OBJETIIVE
Normal 11v11 game with both teams attempting to win. RULES
Play never stops (Constant continuation of the game). Players must be moving and working at all times. Normal 11v11 rules apply. Player Key Team 1 (In Play) Team 2 (In Play)
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How it works
Chile Movement Triggered What is it?
Marcelo Bielsa during his time as Chile national team manager used a pattern of play designed to time forward movement in line with time and space on the ball for teammates. The pattern was often used in multiple zones made up of four players per zone. .
See PDF session plan or video animation for example
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How it works This is a pattern of play designed to build habits
Movement Triggered Session 2
of creating forward movement in sync with teammates having time and space on the ball to play forward passes.
The set up of this practice is: Two players begin passing back and fourth from aone serving The players are only permitted toucharea. whilst passing back and fourth. There will be a 1v1 in the receiving zone. The attacking player must lose his marker and seek to receive a first time pass from one of the two serving players before finishing in one of two target goals. Emphasis on timing of runs, timing of pass and movement to receive. See PDF session plan or video animation for example.
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Movement Triggered
Session Plan 2
Number of Players
Intensity
4
High
Time in Play
imensions
Open
8x12 OBJETIIVE
The attacking player will attempt to score in one of two target goals. RULES
Players in serving zone are restricted to one touch. Players in receiving zone are restricted to their zone. Player Key Team 1 (In Play) Team 2 (In Play)
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Valuable people are not those who suffer defeats, but those who retain the ability to rebuild after the pain of defeat ! - arcelo arcelo Bielsa
How it works
Up Back Through Leeds Finishing What is it?
Marcelo Bielsa during his time as Leeds United manager went viral with a YouTube clip showing a finish on goal during this up back through finishing set up. The practice worked on patterns of play designed to exploit space beyondlines. opposition defensive See PDF session plan or video animation for example.
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How it works Up Back Through Finishing Session 3
This is a pattern of play designed to exploit space beyond an opposition backline. The set up of this practice is: Three players combine in an up back through passing sequence while a fourth player times a run to advance onto a through pass on goal. The objective is to finish the move with a first time shot where possible. Emphasis on timing of runs. See PDF session plan or video animation for example.
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Up Back Through - Finishing
Session Plan 3
Number of Players
Intensity
5
High
Time in Play
imensions
Open
Half Pitch OBJETIIVE
The attacking player will attempt to score on goal. RULES
Three players must combine in the set sequence before the through pass is made. Player Key Team 1 (In Play)
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How it works
Pressure Cover Conditioning What is it?
Marcelo Bielsa during his time at Athletic Bilboa used a unique combination of common football specific movement for defenders during his conditioning sessions. In this next example we will see pressure cover patterns used as conditioning runs described by Bielsa as specific football movements. See PDF session plan or video animation for example.
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How it works Pressure Cover Conditioning Session 4
This is a pattern of play designed to mix conditioning with defensive specific movement/ running. The set up of this practice is: Four players take part in the practice. Two players pass from side to side in the sequence seen in the video belonging to this session plan while two opponents chase the ball in pressure cover movements throughout. Emphasis on pressure cover movements as the ball travels. See PDF session plan or video animation for example.
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Pressure Cover - Conditioning
Session Plan 4
Number of Players
Intensity
4
High
Time in Play
imensions
Open
10x20 OBJETIIVE
Sequence of the combination is followed until practice is complete. RULES
Players must follow the passing sequence outlined. Player Key Team 1 (In Play) Team 2 (In Play)
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A great team is one that is not conditioned by the rival ! - arcelo arcelo Bielsa
How it works
Half Yard Movements What is it?
Marcelo Bielsa during his time at Athletic Bilboa frequently featured a 1v1 set up with focus on creating a half yard to finish/cross. The set up was predominantly used as part of his conditioning sessions with a high demand on intensity throughout. See PDF session plan or video animation for example.
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How it works Half Yard Movements Session 5
This is a physically demanding 1v1 session designed to replicate in order to create space game when specific shootingmoves or crossing. The set up of this practice is: Players begin 1v1 at end lines. lines. The objective for the player in in possession is to create space in order to finish in one of the two opponent targets goals. If the defender wins the ball they will attempt to score in one of two target goals at the opposite end of the playing zone. Emphasis on ball mastery and explosive movements. See PDF session plan or video animation for example.
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Half Yard Movements
Session Plan 5
Number of Players
Intensity
6
High
Time in Play
imensions
Open
16x35 OBJETIIVE
Players in possession attempt to score in one of two goals. RULES
Defenders are permitted to tackle and score in opponents goal when they win possession. Player Key Team 1 (In Play) Team 2 (In Play)
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How it works
Marcelo Bielsa during his time as Argentina national team
Attacking Intensity What is it?
manager used a final third practice designed to encourage high intensity support play when exploiting spaces in wide areas. The session was designed to encourage high intensity runs with purpose when attacking towards the penalty box. See PDF session plan or video animation for example.
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How it works
Attacking Intensity Session 6
This is a practice designed for the final third of the pitch with focus on support runs when playing into spaces in wide areas. The set up of this practice is: Players begin 4v2 in a rondo zone. The objective for the players in possession is to complete five passes before switching play to a wide player. When the ball is switched to a wide player play will become live as a 6v6. The attacking team will look to score goals while the defending team must deny goals. Emphasis on support runs and movement to receive. See PDF session plan or video animation for example.
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Attacking Intensity
Session Plan 6
Number of Players
Intensity
12
High
Time in Play
imensions
Open
1/3 Pitch OBJETIIVE
Players in possession attempt to complete five passes before switching play and attacking goal. RULES
Players in possession must complete five passes before switching play. Player Key Team 1 (In Play) Team 2 (In Play)
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The facts are more signi si gnifi fica cant nt than than th the e word words. s. Demonstrating is much more important than speaking ! - arcelo arcelo Bielsa
How it works
Overlap Pattern Triangulations What is it?
Marcelo Bielsa during his time at Leeds United used this pattern of play frequently as a conditioning set up during pre season. The pattern works overlap movement
and directional runs.
See PDF session plan or video animation for example.
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How it works Overlap Pattern Triangulations Session 7
This practice is a pattern of play that incorporates overlaps and directional runs. The set up of this practice is: Three players begin the practice as outlined in the accompanying video with this session plan and follow a set sequence in a closed practice. Emphasis on high intensity movements. See PDF session plan or video animation for example.
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Overlap Pattern
Session Plan 7
Number of Players
Intensity
3 Per Set
High
Time in Play
Triangulations
imensions
Open
8x30 OBJETIIVE
Players follow the set sequence as outlined in the video accompanying this session plan. RULES
Players touches are limited upon progress in order to add more technical base challenge. Player Key Team 1 (In Play)
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How it works Marcelo Bielsa’s famous wall passing patterns have featured
Wall Pass Pattern What is it?
on training ground pitches throughout the world. The idea is to replicate a wall pass movement, focus on developing good but defensive movement habits when defending. Bielsa often will place emphasis on getting across the path of the attacking player before turning to defend the wall pass. See PDF session plan or video animation for example.
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How it works
Wall Pass Pattern Session 8
This practice is a pattern of play that was designed by Bielsa to focus on developing good habits when defending a wall pass. The set up of this practice is: Three players begin the practice as outlined in the accompanying video with this session plan. The objective is for the attacking player to score by playing a one two around the defending player. The defending player begins outside of the yellow start zone. When the first cross field pass is made the defender must enter the yellow zone to defend 1v1. The serving player is restricted to the red serving zone. Emphasis on defensive movement to get across the attackers path when defending. Emphasis on the defenders approach run. See PDF session plan or video animation for example.
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Wall Pass Pattern
Session Plan 8
Number of Players
Intensity
3
High
Time in Play
imensions
Open
10x25 OBJETIIVE
Player receiving the pass in the yellow start zone will attempt to score in one of two target goals. RULES
The defender must enter the yellow start zone when the first pass is made. Server is restricted to the red serving zone. Player Key Team 1 (In Play) Team 2 (In Play)
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Little I say is original, I have learned almost everything from watching or taking from others ! - arcelo arcelo Bielsa
Wall Pass Pattern Progression What is it?
How it works Marcelo Bielsa’s famous wall pass patterns have featured on training ground pitches throughout the world. This version of the wall pass practice is a progression from the one previously reviewed in session eight of this download.
The idea in this version of the practice is to force defenders into pressing which will allow the attacking player run beyond to finish on goal during a second through ball phase of play. See PDF session plan or video animation for example.
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How it works Wall Pass Pattern Progression Session 9
This practice is a pattern of play that was designed by attacking Bielsa to focus developing habits when using on a wall pass. good The set up of this practice is: Two servers begin in the yellow serving zone. The first server will pass into the the attacker in the red zone. The objective for the attacker is to make space away from the defender before returning a pass into the server. The defender will attempt to intercept intercept the pass. As the first pass is is made a second server will dribble out through cones before playing a through pass immediately after the attacker in the red zone plays a return pass. Emphasis on quick transition to exploit a through ball on goal. See PDF session plan or video animation for example.
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Wall Pass Pattern
Session Plan 9
Number of Players
Intensity
5
High
Time in Play
Progression
imensions
Open
1/3 Pitch OBJETIIVE
The attacking player in the red zone will attempt to lose their marker and play a return pass to the serving player during phase one. In phase two the attacking player will react quickly to a through ball and attempt to finish on goal.
RULES
Servers are restricted to their zone. The attacking player and defender are restricted to the red zone until phase two of the practice when an attempted through pass will be made. Player Key Team 1 (In Play) Team 2 (In Play)
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How it works
Finishing Under Pressure What is it?
Marcelo Bielsa used this finishing under pressure set up for many years. As seen in the image opposite the practice was first recorded on the Argentinian training ground back in the llate ate 1990’s. A mark mark of how Bielsa over twenty years ago was already changing the game. See PDF session plan or video animation for example.
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How it works Finishing Under Pressure Session 10
This practice is an open practice that replicates defensive pressure when finishing in a one versus one scenario. The set up of this practice is: A serving player begins in the the yellow zone. The objective for the server is to pass beyond the defender in the red zone into their teammate. The teammate wearing number 9 will then attack the goal in in an attempt to score. The defender from the red zone will be permitted to chase back in a attempt to help the goalkeeper deny a goal. Emphasis on movement to receive, screen play, recovery runs and finishing. See PDF session plan or video animation for example.
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Finishing Under Pressure
Session Plan 10
Number of Players
Intensity
4
High
Time in Play
imensions
Open
12x25 OBJETIIVE
The serving player in the yellow zone will attempt to pass into their teammate in order to advance on goal. RULES
All players are restricted to their zones with the exception of the defending player who is permitted to chase back as a recovery run when the number 9 receives the ball. Player Key Team 1 (In Play) Team 2 (In Play)
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