How to prepare for tournament games

Every minute in training should be transferable to the match and conducted at high-intensity and low volume. The lack of training time means building communication and tactical cohesion must be the priority. 

The goal is to prepare a tactically astute team at their physical and mental peak for each matchday. 

Above is what a World Cup schedule may look like between matches. But what should you do at grassroots level? Here are four key tips for tournament preparation:

 

1. Know your players

Data and technology are ubiquitous at the elite level, but all coaches possess two superior tools: knowledge of your players and your eyes. These can measure willpower, desire and grit better than any gadget. 

Know which players will get a second or third wind, play through a niggling injury or handle the pressure of a last-minute penalty. 

This knowledge applies when delivering opponent analysis: Who will want a detailed deconstruction of their direct opponent and who will perform better playing off instinct?

 

2. Prioritize

Acknowledge that you cannot cover every aspect of the game within the timeframe.

Use diagrams, animations or videos for time-extensive, low-return exercises like throw-in movements or kick-off variations, instead of longer pitch sessions. 

Your coaching style may have to be more autocratic as there is no time for a democratic or guided discovery approach. 

Have a clear idea of your starting 11 and best 14 players from the outset and work with them on the higher-order pillars of football: communication and game insight.

 

3. Develop your principles of play

Ensure principles of play are simple and clear. Principles are independent of systems and your team should understand and communicate in this accepted common language.

Players will hold on to these principles to survive difficult periods and adapt more easily to different opponents.

 

4. Solve football problems

Design learning experiences that force your team to solve specific football problems posed by different opponents.

Conversely, explore ways to cause problems for the opposition: Should you press or drop off? Mark tight or zonally? Pass on or track runners?

Coach solutions on how to build up against one, two or three forwards or break down a low block while protecting against a counter-attack. Also, coach variations to press a back three or four with one or two holding midfielders and train how to defend against one or two strikers, midfielders running deep or underlapping centre-backs. 

Use your opponent analysis as the starting point and reverse engineer to create passing and possession exercises, phases of play and 11v11 exercises that paint realistic pictures for your players.

 

Preparing for different opponents at a tournament is an intense but vital component of modern coaching. 

The goal of analysis is to provide the coach with a platform to build an informed gameplan. The periodisation of training sessions, video sessions and player meetings provides the stimulus for the players to synthesize the information needed to perform on matchday. 

The beauty of soccer is that there is no ‘one size fits all’ model that guarantees success. As coaches we must constantly reflect and refine our tournament methodologies. Good luck on your journey!