How LaLiga’s Top Teams Outplay the Rest: Key Strategies and Insights for Coaches

15 Jul How LaLiga’s Top Teams Outplay the Rest: Key Strategies and Insights for Coaches

Understanding what separates successful football teams from the rest can provide valuable insights for coaches. A recent study analyzing 13 seasons of LALIGA reveals critical differences in playing style and technical performance based on team rankings. Here’s a breakdown of the key findings and how they can be applied in training and match strategies.

Key Insights from the Study

1. Starting Position of Offensive Sequences
   • Top teams start their attacks further up the field. The Champion teams often begin their offensive sequences from more advanced positions compared to lower-ranked teams.
   • Application: Encourage your team to regain possession in advanced areas of the field. Press higher to initiate attacks closer to the opponent’s goal, reducing the distance to cover and increasing scoring opportunities.
2. Duration and Passes per Sequence
   • Higher-ranked teams have longer offensive sequences with more passes. Champions and top-tier teams (Champions League qualifiers) make more passes and take more time in their build-up play.
   • Application: Focus on improving your team’s passing accuracy and patience during possession. Drills that emphasize maintaining possession and building play methodically can help in mirroring the success of top teams.
3. Speed of Progression
   • Top teams progress the ball more slowly but cover more ground. They show patience and precision in moving forward, as opposed to the quicker, more direct style of lower-ranked teams.
   • Application: Train your players to recognize when to hold the ball and wait for the right moment to advance. Develop exercises that focus on ball control, spatial awareness, and decision-making to foster a more deliberate and effective progression.
4. Ball Possession and Passing Accuracy
   • Possession and accuracy are key. Higher-ranked teams enjoy more ball possession and have better passing accuracy.
   • Application: Implement possession-based training sessions. Encourage players to value ball control and accurate passing under pressure. Possession drills and small-sided games can improve these skills.
5. Use of Through Balls and Crosses
   • Top teams use more through balls and crosses. Despite mixed opinions on their effectiveness, the study finds these plays are more common among successful teams.
   • Application: Incorporate specific drills for through balls and crossing into your training regimen. Practice scenarios where these can be used effectively, such as breaking down tight defenses or exploiting wide areas.
6. Sequences Ending in the Final Third
   • Champion teams end more sequences in the attacking third. This indicates a consistent ability to penetrate and maintain pressure on the opposition’s defense.
   • Application: Focus on drills that enhance your team’s ability to advance into and operate within the final third. Encourage creative play and combinations that can break defensive lines.
7. Dribbling and Shooting
   • Dribbling accuracy and shot conversion are essential. While the number of dribbles might not differ greatly, the accuracy does, impacting the effectiveness of attacks.
   • Application: Develop dribbling drills that emphasize precision and decision-making. For shooting, focus on accuracy and composure in front of the goal, simulating game-like pressures.

Practical Applications for Training and Matches

• High Press Training: Implement high-press strategies in training to teach players how to regain possession quickly in advanced areas.
• Possession Drills: Regularly practice possession games with a focus on maintaining control and making accurate passes.
• Controlled Progression: Train players to recognize when to slow down play and retain possession versus when to speed up the attack.
• Crossing and Finishing: Incorporate crossing and finishing drills, emphasizing accuracy and timing for both crossers and finishers.
• Final Third Penetration: Conduct drills that focus on entering and exploiting the final third of the pitch, using varied attacking patterns.

Conclusion

The success of higher-ranked LALIGA teams lies in their advanced starting positions for attacks, prolonged possession, accurate passing, and strategic use of through balls and crosses. By incorporating these elements into training and match strategies, coaches can enhance their team’s performance and competitiveness.

Access to the scientific publication: https://doi.org/10.1371/journal.pone.0293095