The use of tactical periodisation to outlay the physical impetus for the in season micro cycle in football. A reflective outline on the 2015-2016 season.

1. The In-season Microcycle
‘Physical themes derived from
tactical periodisation’
2015-2016 season
Hamish Munro

2. Tactical Periodisation
• ‘... A training methodology that first arose through
Victor Frade over 30 years go’
• ‘... A training methodology where the primary
concern is the play the team intends to produce in
competition’
• ‘...This is why the playing model is assumed a guide
for the whole process using principles, sub principles
and sub sub principles to shape it’
Xavier Tamarat (2015) in ‘What is tactical periodization’

3. Benefits of tactical periodisation model
• Synergistic model that provides a hollistic
approach: technical/tactical/physical
• Single model structure rather than
integrating several departmental models
• Consistently relating to the structure of
game play; model specific to coaches
philosophy, U21 1st Team progression

4. Van Winckel et al (2015)
Weekly
Considerations

5. www.mourinhosbible.wordpress.com
Daily
Considerations

6. What we changed ......
• ‘Pure football’ model – in our opinion
(experience/science) this is not enough for the specific
physical components:
- strength
- power
- correctives .... etc!
Crucial to athletic development, especially at U21 level
• One size fits all, which is more often than not
inappropriate, subtle changes relating to specifics in
the training week
• Detail, we added outlays (physical) under each training
day principle thus to provide relative targets to playing
positions (based on game day % and training averages)

7. Pre - Training Themes

8. MD+1 = NA
MD+2 = Low level correctives, movement deficiencies, ie areas
of instability and/or need of mobility. Increased recovery if
required
MD-4 = Pillar preparation prior to team strength session thus to
maximise amount of time spent on ‘strength’ work in-session
MD-3 = SMR and massage for those with heightened DOMS
from previous day, upper body strength (vertical & horizontal
push/pull)
MD-2 = Speed strength work, including forms of
ballistic/plyometric movements – awareness on volume
MD-1 = Advice players to keep out of gym except for massage
and SMR – feel good!

9. Training Themes

10. ↓Matchday + 1 - OFF
‘Complete Rest’
• Encourage rest and relaxation, increased
sleep and social time with friends and
family.
• SWITCH OFF

11. ↘Matchday + 2
‘Recovery Focus’ - Intensive
• Reduced volume and intensity football
session, increased mobility, proprioception
& SMR in warm up
IE – Hurdle (high - mobility and low - stability)
and foam roller drills first 15-25 minutes of
session, football drills to be low level technical
drills, possessions with starters as ‘bouncers’,
uneven games (8 starters vs 4) etc

12. ↗Matchday – 4
‘Strength Focus’ - Intensive
• ‘Gym’ based strength (*Whole Team = logistics)
IE-
Bilateral LL: Squat or Deadlift or Leg Press
Unilateral LL: Lunge pattern or Step Up or 1 Leg Squat
Hip Hinge/Hamstring: Nordic or RDL or Hip Thrust var.
Trunk : Regatta Row or Palof press or 1 Arm push/pull
‘Field’ based strength
IE – 1 vs 1/2 vs 2 or 3 vs 3/4 vs 4 tight areas
(Could be one/two goal, small/big goals etc)

13. ↑Matchday – 3
‘Conditioning Focus’ - Extensive
• Increased running volume, especially high
intensity/speed distance, wanting increased
exposure under fatigue from MD-4 strength
session
IE – Attacking/Defending transitions, increased
player numbers on each team using bigger pitch
dimensions, speed endurance drills (eg Technical
work over longer distances) etc

14. ↘Matchday – 2
‘Speed Focus’ - Intensive
• Given multitude of speed components in
SSG training, warm up would take form of
low volume plyometric/mechanics session
• Tactical work of high intensity low volume,
speed of thought/movement
IE – Reduced touch games/possessions,
Finishing based on overload att vs def (Speed
of play) etc

15. ↘Matchday – 1
‘Activation (Game Model) Focus’ - Intensive
• Setup of particular game model
IE – Team set pieces, pressing lines, isolated
situations *Unopposed
• If selected individuals require it recovery
methods implemented post session, personal
choice from selected options

16. Training Outcomes

17. RPE
Fitness coach rating 1-10 used due to a language
barrier, understanding and mood effect. Also provides
‘one number’ training score for Head coach
0
1
2
3
4
5
6
7
8
9
10
MD MD+1 MD+2 MD-4 MD-3 MD-2 MD-1
*Averages over season
Combined with session time – SRPE.
Fighure: Impellizzeri et al (2004)

18. MD MD+1 MD+2 MD-4 MD-3 MD-2 MD-1
Total
Distance
Total
Number of
Acc & Dec
Total High
Intensity
Distance
MD MD+1 MD+2 MD-4 MD-3 MD-2 MD-1
*Team Averages
MD MD+1 MD+2 MD-4 MD-3 MD-2 MD-1

19. Feedback Welcome.
Thanks!

20. References
• Tamarat, X.(2015) What is tactical Periodization. UK:
Bennion Kenny.
• Van Winckel, J., Tenney, D., Helsen, W., McMillan, K.,
Meert, JP and Bradley, P. (2015) Fitness in Soccer.
Moveo Ergo Sum.
• www.mourinhosbible.wordpress.com
• Impellizzeri, F., Rampinini, E., Coutts, A., Sassi, A and
Marcora, M.(2004) Use of RPE-Based Training Load in
Soccer, Medicine and Science in Sport and exercise.
0195-9131/04/3606-1042.