TRANSITION FROM DEFENCE TO ATTACK IN THE LOW ZONE

CHAPTER 4
TRANSITION
FROM DEFENCE
TO ATTACK IN THE
LOW ZONE

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TRANSITION FROM DEFENCE TO ATTACK IN THE LOW ZONE

TRANSITION FROM DEFENCE TO ATTACK IN THE

LOW ZONE

We have divided the chapters by which zone the back No.5 intercepts the left winger’s (11) pass
transition starts in. There are 3 zones: towards the striker (9) near the edge of the
penalty area.
1. Low Zone
2. Middle Zone The centre back (5) immediately passes forward
to No.10 which immediately leaves 5 red players
3. High Zone behind the ball and takes them out of the game.
No.10 plays a first time pass into the path of No.8,
This diagram shows an example of a team that who runs forward with the ball. The winger (11)
has won the ball in the low zone. In this situation, and the striker (9) make runs into the space out
we have players behind the ball when defending. wide and in the centre respectively.
To win the ball, they need to limit their
opponent’s time/space, block potential passing The red centre back (5) is forced to close down
options and demonstrate good anticipation. white No.8 who then has 2 very good passing
options in behind the defensive line, both of
The red team are attacking and have entered which would end up with a player through on
the final third, trying to find solutions to get in goal, and with a great chance to score.
behind the defence and score. The white centre

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TACTICAL
SITUATION 3

JORGE SAMPAOLI
TACTICS
Counter Attack with a Forward Pass, Lay-Off
and Supporting Runs

Content taken from Analysis of Sevilla during the 2016/2017 season

The analysis is based on recurring patterns of play observed within the Sevilla team. Once the same
phase of play occurred a number of times (at least 10) the tactics would be seen as a pattern. The
analysis on the next page is an example of the team’s tactics being used effectively, taken from a
specific game.
Each action, pass, individual movement with or without the ball, and the positioning of each player
on the pitch including their body shape, are presented.
The analysis is then used to create a full progressive session to coach this specific tactical situation.

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Tactical Analysis of JORGE SAMPAOLI - Transition from Defence to Attack (Low Zone)

Analysis Taken from ‘Sevilla vs FC Barcelona - 6th Nov 2016 (La Liga)’
Counter Attack with a Forward Pass, Lay-Off and Supporting Runs
(4-1-4-1 vs 4-3-3)
In this example,
Sevilla are very deep
and Neymar (11) has
the ball in the box.
He tries to pass to
Suarez (9), but plays
the ball behind him.
The Sevilla left back
Escudero is able to
track back and clear
the ball towards the
right winger Sarabia.
Sarabia plays the ball
forward to Vazquez
who is in a centre
forward's position.
He lays the ball off
for Sarabia to run
onto (one-two).

Sarabia receives the

pass back unmarked
and there is lots of
space in behind the
Barcelona defensive
line.
The left winger
Vitolo makes a run
outside the Barca
right back (2) and
receives a perfectly
weighted pass from
Sarabia.
Vitolo dribbles into
the box, close to the
goalkeeper and then
prods the ball past
him to score.

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Session to Practice JORGE SAMPAOLI Tactics - Transition from Defence to Attack (Low Zone)

SESSION FOR THIS TACTICAL SITUATION (3 PRACTICES)

1. Counter Attack with a Forward Pass, Lay-Off and Supporting
Runs in a Functional Practice

Objective: Tactical attacking movements, solutions and combinations: Forward pass, lay-off, support.
Description
For this practice, the white team have 11 players and the other team have 7 players. We mark out a
low zone as shown - within this zone we have the white back 4 against 6 attackers (from 4-3-3).
The practice starts with the coach's pass inside and the blue/reds try to score a goal. The aim for the
whites is to win the ball and then pass to the defensive midfielder (6) who is waiting just outside.
From this point, No.6 must pass to the forward (9) who lays it off to an oncoming runner (6, 8 or 10).
From here, the 6 white attacking players must use tactical movements and combinations that we
want for our players and team, and try to score a goal.
Different Rules
1. All players have unlimited touches / Limit the players to 2 or 3 touches.
2. Blue/reds have unlimited time to finish attack / Blue/reds have 12 seconds to finish their attack.
3. After winning the ball (transition), the whites have 10-12 seconds to finish their counter attack.

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Session to Practice JORGE SAMPAOLI Tactics - Transition from Defence to Attack (Low Zone)

PROGRESSION
2. Counter Attack with a Forward Pass, Lay-Off and Supporting
Runs in a 2 Zone Game

Description
In this progression of the previous practice, we increase the low zone area as shown and the initial
situation is now 6 v 7 (+GK) for the blue/red's attack.
After winning the ball in this zone, the whites now play directly to the forward (9) who lays the ball off
for an oncoming runner (6, 8 or 10). They then try to score, as in the last practice.
We add 2 blue/red centre backs (4 & 5) which makes it more difficult for the whites to combine and
finish the counter attacks, as there is now defensive pressure. However, as the whites still have a 6 v 2
numerical advantage, they should still score the majority of the time.
Coaching Points
1. The white team use ball oriented defence in the low zone and press as a unit to limit the time and
space available for their opponents.
2. They need to demonstrate good communication when pressing and exploit the numerical
superiority they have.
3. In the transition to attack, a hard and precise forward pass is needed into the forward.
4. In the attacking half, the players need to be aggressive and play at a very high speed/tempo, using
the required tactical movements/combinations + quick and effective finishing.

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