Breakthrough Balance
Breakthrough Balance
Breakthrough Balance
Breakthrough
Balance
A
quantitative
analysis
on
how
to
optimize
scoring
opportunities
and
at
the
same
time
minimize
the
risks
of
a
counter
attack
Denise
Reddy
Copenhagen,
2015
2
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Summary
This
paper
comes
from
the
idea
that
the
higher
up
on
the
pitch
a
team
sets
press,
the
higher
up
they
will
win
the
ball
and
hence
create
more
goal
scoring
opportunities.
Through
a
quantitative
analysis
of
goals
scored
at
top
international
level,
I
wanted
to
look
at
the
correlation
between
where
the
teams
started
their
defensive
press
and
from
that
press
how
goals
were
scored.
I
divided
the
length
of
the
pitch
into
Areas
1
to
4,
whereas
Area
1
is
closest
to
the
opponent’s
goal,
and
4
is
closest
to
the
defending
team’s
own
goal.
My
impression
was
that
the
defending
team
would
score
more
goals
off
of
a
ball
win
when
the
press
is
sat
high
and
won
in
Area
1
or
2.
This
was
not
the
case,
as
my
data
shows
that
the
majority
of
goals
scored,
were
after
ball
winnings
low
on
the
defending
team’s
own
half
in
Area
4.
If
the
breakdown
of
my
evaluation
and
these
results
are
transferrable
to
soccer
in
general,
there
are
some
strong
trends
in
top
international
football
to
argue
that
defending
higher
up
the
pitch
leads
to
more
goals.
Of
136
goals
analyzed,
only
a
few
came
as
a
result
of
high
pressure
resulting
in
ball
winning
in
Area
1
or
2.
61
of
the
goals
came
from
winning
the
ball
all
the
way
back
in
the
defending
teams
own
end,
Area
4.
These
results
led
me
to
think
that
it
was
due
to
the
team’s
high-‐organized
pressure
that
teams
won
ball
possession
through
for
example
forced
long
balls
and
clearances.
After
a
new
analysis
of
the
61
goals
that
were
scored
from
winning
the
ball
in
Area
4,
this
theory
was
also
proven
wrong.
This
DENISE
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forced
me
to
do
a
new
diagnosis
on
why
the
teams
in
possession
in
the
opponent’s
Area
4
were
most
vulnerable
to
being
scored
upon
after
losing
possession.
By
analyzing
the
61
goals
scored
after
ball
wins
in
the
team’s
own
lower
half,
I
was
able
to
see
the
trends
and
habits,
leading
up
to
losing
possession
and
getting
scored
upon.
My
data
clearly
shows
that
most
attacking
teams
lost
possession
when
entering
the
“breakthrough
phase”
of
their
attack,
the
final
phase
where
they
try
to
penetrate
the
opponents
defense
line.
Through
dissecting
each
goal
and
what
the
team
in
possession
did
prior
to
losing
possession,
the
trends
are
that
teams
are
most
likely
to
be
scored
upon
when
entering
this
breakthrough
phase
on
a
dribble,
especially
in
the
central
zone.
According
to
the
data,
it
is
clear
that
when
the
attacking
team
is
entering
this
breakthrough
phase,
they
are
at
their
most
vulnerable
to
getting
scored
against
because
of
the
spaces
they
are
leaving
vacant.
This
knowledge
needs
to
be
emphasized
at
a
greater
range
in
our
coaching
philosophy
and
training
methods.
I
discovered
that
having
a
balance
in
your
team
when
going
from
possession
to
the
breakthrough
phase
is
vital.
To
achieve
this
balance
when
attacking,
there
are
three
aspects
that
need
to
be
taking
into
consideration:
organization,
decision-‐making
and
re-‐
press.
The
decisions
being
made
by
the
players
during
this
breakthrough
phase
-‐
both
when
it
comes
to
scoring
a
goal
and
regaining
possession
DENISE
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when
lost
-‐
are
built
on
trained
awareness
and
reading
the
“climate”
of
the
game.
The
moments,
in
which
possession
is
lost,
the
players
need
to
know
how
to
re-‐press
the
opposing
team
based
on
the
remaining
organization.
When
the
decision
is
made,
and
the
re-‐press
phase
has
begun,
there
needs
to
be
a
base
of
balance
built
on
the
organization.
This
organization
is
based
off
of
knowing
where
we
want
to
have
players
in
order
to
create
a
goal
scoring
opportunity
and
not
give
up
areas
susceptible
to
transition.
Introduction
Football
tactics
have
become
extremely
complex
and
with
the
rise
of
technology
and
innovations
our
eyes
become
more
open
to
all
facets
of
the
game.
The
more
we
study
and
break
down
the
different
stages
in
a
game,
the
more
complex
and
advanced
it
becomes.
Data
and
analysis
give
us
probabilities
and
trends
in
most
areas
of
the
pitch.
To
work
as
a
manager
in
today’s
age
you
need
to
be
able
to
decode
all
the
information
and
come
up
with
your
own
solutions
and
strategies
that
fit
your
specific
team.
Football
has
become
about
numbers,
percentages
and
patterns,
and
how
they
all
lead
to
predictability.
Through
this
analysis
I
wanted
to
see
if
I
could
find
some
patterns
when
it
came
to
goal
scoring
at
the
absolute
highest
level,
and
if
there
were
surprising
or
interesting
results
I
could
use
on
a
broader
aspect
in
my
own
coaching
philosophy.
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I
decided
to
use
the
2014
World
Cup
in
Brazil
as
my
database.
If
we
are
going
to
study
any
particular
part
of
football,
it’s
important
to
do
it
at
the
most
elite
level.
When
the
technical
capabilities
of
the
individual
players
are
so
sufficient,
we
are
then
able
to
look
further
into
the
organizational
deficits.
I
will
analyze
all
of
the
136
goals
scored
in
the
group
play
of
the
2014
World
Cup.
In
the
modern
day
32-‐team
group
play,
136
are
the
most
goals
ever
scored.
It
is
only
9
goals
shy
of
the
total
amount
of
goals
scored
in
the
2010
World
Cup
in
South
Africa.
My
first
part
of
the
analysis
will
look
and
define
where
on
the
pitch
the
teams
that
scored
a
goal
first
won
possession
of
the
ball.
Before
my
analysis
I
was
convinced
there
would
be
a
high
number
of
balls
won
on
the
opponents
half
of
the
pitch
after
high-‐organized
pressure.
I
was
sure
I
would
be
using
the
data
to
prove
that
most
goals
were
scored
due
to
efficient
organization
in
defensive
pressure.
When
this
was
proven
wrong,
I
went
on
to
analyzing
how
possession
was
won,
and
the
vulnerability
of
the
teams
entering
the
breakthrough
phase.
This
led
me
to
the
study
of
what
I
call
Breakthrough
DENISE
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Balance
-‐
in
lack
of
any
other
terms
regarding
this
condition-‐,
and
how
teams
would
be
able
to
attack
100%
but
still
keep
some
sort
of
defensive
balance.
From
the
beginning
throughout
the
analysis
I
will
change
my
course
of
attack.
I
will
shift
my
focus
from
the
defending
aspect
of
the
game
to
the
teams
in
possession.
I
will
with
the
data
identify
areas
of
concern
as
teams
go
from
possession
to
the
breakthrough
phase.
It
will
be
evident
that
teams
going
into
the
breakthrough
phase
of
their
attack
were
most
vulnerable
to
being
scored
on,
and
based
off
of
this
fact
I
will
discuss
tactical
solutions
and
important
aspects
regarding
this
subject.
I
will
research
what
the
tendencies
were
for
the
team
possessing
in
the
breakthrough
phase
prior
to
losing
the
ball
and
conceding
a
goal.
I
am
looking
to
see
if
there
could
be
a
formula
to
reduce
the
number
of
goals
scored
off
of
loss
of
possession
high
up
on
the
pitch.
And
the
data
collected
will
bring
me
specifically
to
researching
the
breakthrough
phase
of
the
team’s
attack,
where
they
are
most
vulnerable
to
being
scored
upon
when
possession
is
lost.
The
balance
in
the
breakthrough
phase
of
the
attack
will
consist
of
the
organization
and
decision-‐making
both
in
the
attack
and
when
possession
is
lost.
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Problem
definitions
I.
Goals
scored
in
the
2014
World
Cup
group
play
were
due
to
the
team’s
defensive
organization
prior
to
them
winning
possession.
A) Did
most
goals
come
as
a
result
of
high-‐organized
pressure
and
gaining
possession
in
Area
1
or
2.
B) Were
the
goals
scored
off
of
ball
winning
situations
in
Area
4
a
result
of
the
team’s
high-‐organized
pressure
forced
long
balls
and
clearances
into
Area
4.
II.
Analyzing
the
trends
both
regarding
the
attacking
team
and
the
team
winning
possession
prior
to
a
goal.
C) How
can
the
attacking
team
enter
the
breakthrough
phase
of
their
attack
and
at
the
same
time
have
a
defensive
balance
to
minimize
the
chances
of
conceding
a
goal
if
they
lose
possession.
D) By
analyzing
the
trends
of
the
defending
team
winning
possession,
can
we
find
better
ways
to
prevent
a
counter-‐attack
against
during
the
breakthrough
phase.
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Limitations
In
this
assignment,
I
am
analyzing
the
balance
of
the
attacking
team
when
they
enter
the
breakthrough
phase
and
directly
after
they
lose
possession.
This
means
they
will
be
able
to
create
scoring
opportunities
without
offering
vulnerable
defensive
areas.
I
have
therefore
analyzed
the
attack
up
until
ball
possession
is
lost
before
conceding
a
goal.
To
understand
the
data
I
needed
to
look
at
the
defending
team
winning
possession,
and
their
defensive
breakouts
–
where
were
the
spaces
they
took
advantage
of,
and
how
could
they
have
been
closed.
I
have
not
taken
into
consideration
the
loss
of
possession
leading
to
goal
scoring
opportunities,
only
the
ones
leading
up
to
an
actual
goal.
There
were
many
situations
where
the
possessing
teams
regain
the
ball
quickly
after
losing
it
through
well-‐organized
defending
and
good
balance.
This
data
was
not
collected,
but
it
could
be
interesting
to
look
at
and
study
the
successful
situations
in
the
moments
after
losing
possession.
I
did
not
focus
on
how
the
team
winning
possession
went
to
goal
other
than
if
they
did
so
through
transition
or
possession.
This
means
there
is
data
on
how
the
ball
winning
team
went
to
goal,
to
see
their
use
of
areas,
but
not
if
they
went
to
goal
through
long
passes,
short
passes,
clearances
etc.
The
amount
of
time
it
took
for
teams
to
actually
score
after
winning
possession
was
also
not
taken
into
consideration.
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To
get
a
better
perspective
on
the
first
part
of
my
analysis
–
where
the
possession
is
won
–
I
split
the
pitch
into
zones
and
areas
and
specifically
examined
how
the
teams
in
possession
lost
possession
of
the
ball
and
in
what
zones
of
the
pitch.
In
my
analysis
I
have
all
the
data
collected
from
all
the
zones
as
well
as
the
areas
4A,
4B
and
4C
that
are
representing
the
last
zone’s
middle
and
outside
areas.
4A
would
be
to
the
left,
4B
central
and
4C
to
the
right.
Because
of
the
amount
of
data,
the
final
analysis
in
itself
will
only
be
concentrating
on
balls
lost
in
all
of
Area
4.
The
loss
of
possession
in
Area
4
can
also
be
looked
at
from
a
defensive
perspective.
To
get
a
fully,
clear
perspective
of
the
attacking
teams’
tendencies,
the
defending
teams’
tendencies
would
need
to
be
taken
into
a
greater
consideration.
Were
there
any
specific
ways
teams
shut
down
crucial
areas,
and
therefore
forcing
the
attacking
team
into
central,
well-‐
defended
areas?
Did
the
defending
team
tactically
force
teams
to
dribble
instead
of
pass
while
entering
the
breakthrough
phase?
These
questions
will
not
be
part
of
my
analysis,
due
to
the
amount
of
data
that
would
require.
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Restforsvar
The
way
in
which
you
position
the
team
in
attack
when
going
from
phase
2
into
phase
3(breakthrough
phase),
in
order
to
prevent
counter-attack.
Re-press
The
players
involved
in
the
attack
are
positioned
so
that
when
losing
the
ball
a
transition
is
stopped
as
quickly
as
possible.
Transition-Possession
Teams
winning
possession
in
Area
4
after
defending,
quickly
transition
the
ball
out
of
their
defensive
end
to
establish
possession
higher
up
the
pitch
with
players
in
attacking
positions.
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Method
I
I
reviewed
all
136
goals
of
the
World
Cup
group
stage
and
diagrammed
where
possession
was
won
prior
to
scoring
the
goal.
The
goal
could
come
from
transition,
possession,
free
kicks,
corners
or
penalties.
As
long
as
the
team
did
not
lose
possession
before
they
actually
scored.
In
this
context,
possession
would
mean
when
the
team
wins
and
regains
control
of
the
ball.
Control
can
mean
having
the
ball
on
the
dribble
or
connecting
a
pass.
Example:
A
cross
comes
into
the
box
and
is
headed
by
the
defending
team
in
area
4B
and
then
recovered
in
4A
by
the
same
team;
possession
won
is
documented
in
4A.
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Like
mentioned,
I
split
the
pitch
into
12
areas,
4
Areas
dividing
the
length
of
the
pitch
and
3
Zones
dividing
the
width.
The
areas
are
numbered
1-‐4,
1
starting
closest
to
the
opponents
goal
and
4
closest
to
the
defending
team’s
goal.
The
width
is
divided
into
3
zones,
A-‐C.
Zone
A
is
the
left;
B
is
central
and
Zone
C
is
to
the
right.
The
areas
then
become
A1
through
A4,
which
indicated
the
ball
was
won
on
the
left
side
of
the
pitch
and
either
closest
to
opponents
goal
or
closest
to
the
goal
of
the
defending
team.
The
same
would
apply
for
the
middle,
B1-‐B4
and
the
right
side
of
the
pitch
being
C1-‐C4.
Results
I
Most
goals
were
scored
in
the
group
stage
of
the
2014
World
Cup
when
the
defending
team
in
the
area
closest
to
their
own
goal,
Area
4,
first
won
possession.
The
numbers
show
that
61
goals
out
of
the
136
goals
-‐
45%
-‐
were
originated
from
gaining
possession
in
Area
4.
Possession
won
in
Area
3
before
scoring
was
the
second
highest
with
43
out
of
136
goals
-‐
32%.
The
majority
of
the
balls
won
in
Area
4
are
from
the
team
being
in
low
pressure
and
winning
the
ball
when
the
attacking
team
goes
from
possession
into
the
breakthrough
phase
of
their
attack.
There
were
only
7
out
of
61
times
that
possession
was
gained
in
Area
4
due
to
a
Clearance.
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FEDERATION
2015
16
Theory
II
Attacking
teams
entering
the
breakthrough
phase
are
giving
up
spaces
that
make
them
vulnerable
to
getting
scored
upon.
There
needs
to
be
a
way
of
organizing
the
teams
into
having
a
better
balance
during
their
own
attacks,
minimizing
the
risks
of
goal
against
when
they
lose
possession.
Method
II
I
will
look
at
the
61
ball
possessions
won
in
Area
4
that
led
to
a
goal,
and
see
if
there
were
any
trends
both
regarding
the
attacking
team
and
the
first
actions
of
the
team
winning
possession.
I
will
analyze
how
possession
in
Area
4
was
lost,
if
it
was
through
for
example
a
pass,
a
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cross,
on
a
dribble,
etc.
This
is
done
to
specifically
look
for
trends
when
it
comes
to
decision-‐making
and
the
organization
in
attack,
specifically
during
the
breakthrough
phase.
As
part
of
the
organizational
analysis,
I
will
look
to
the
team’s
positioning
as
they
enter
the
breakthrough
phase
in
regards
to
re-‐press.
I
want
to
see
how
the
players
were
positioned
to
support
both
the
attack
and
the
defense
upon
losing
possession.
Results
II
Teams
that
won
the
ball
in
their
own
end
after
defending
another
team’s
possession
scored
the
most
goals
in
the
Group
stages
of
the
2014
World
Cup.
It
is
clear
that
teams
entering
the
breakthrough
phase
of
their
attack
are
vulnerable
to
having
a
turnover
result
in
a
goal.
Going
into
the
breakthrough
phase
on
the
dribble
was
the
leading
cause
of
loss
of
possession
resulting
in
a
goal.
There
were
a
total
of
19
lost
possession
on
the
dribble
in
Area
4.
20
18
How
possession
was
lost
in
Area
4
16
14
12
10
A
8
B
6
C
4
Total
2
0
Dribbling
(dead
ball)
Cross
Corner
Other
Passing
Clearance
Shot saved
Free
kick
Goal
Kick
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Analysis
As
I
researched
the
goals
I
noticed
there
was
a
common
dominator:
teams
entering
the
breakthrough
phase
in
the
opponents
end
were
not
in
balance
when
they
lost
possession.
The
more
I
researched
the
goals
the
more
I
was
convinced
it
was
not
only
positioning
or
their
re-‐press
that
needed
attention,
but
a
balance
between
decisions
and
organization
with
the
ball
that
would
allow
teams
to
be
in
better
balance
when
they
lost
the
ball.
The
positioning
of
the
attacking
players
in
the
final
third
during
a
breakthrough
and
the
decision-‐making
of
the
players
in
this
phase,
both
on
the
ball
and
off,
are
vital
to
prevent
the
opponent’s
offensive
transition.
The
decision-‐making
of
the
players
both
on
the
ball
and
off
also
contributes
to
creating
the
balance.
In
analyzing
how
the
teams
lost
the
ball
prior
to
being
scored
upon
you
can
see
that
there
were
a
total
of
19
lost
possessions
while
dribbling
in
Area
4.
It
is
also
evident
that
most
turnovers
occur
in
Area
B4,
the
central
Zone
of
the
pitch.
Out
of
all
recovered
possessions
39
out
of
61
were
won
in
B4.
In
accordance
to
the
data
teams
should
look
to
enter
the
breakthrough
phase
on
the
outside
areas:
A4
and
C4
and
avoid
taking
it
on
the
dribble.
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16 Passing
14
Cross
12
Clearance
10
8
Goal
Kick
(dead
ball)
6
Shot
saved
4
Free
kick
2
0
Corner
A
B
C
Total
Basing
the
analysis
on
these
results
being
valid,
it
is
clear
that
teams
need
to
implement
better
tactics
in
their
attack
in
order
to
create
a
better
balance
when
entering
the
breakthrough
phase.
Teams
possessing
the
ball
in
the
opponents
end
should
look
to
avoid
entering
the
breakthrough
phase
on
the
dribble.
In
analyzing
how
the
teams
lost
the
ball
prior
to
being
scored
upon,
you
can
see
that
it
is
evident
that
most
turnovers
not
only
occur
on
dribbling,
but
also
that
they
occur
in
Area
B4,
the
central
area
of
the
pitch.
Out
of
all
recovered
possessions,
39
out
of
61
were
won
in
B4.
The
goal
is
located
centrally
on
the
pitch,
and
naturally
there
will
be
a
high
number
of
balls
lost
in
that
area.
This
does
not
mean
that
teams
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need
to
enter
the
breakthrough
phase
centrally.
After
dissecting
the
data,
teams
entering
the
breakthrough
phase
should
avoid
dribbling
and
look
to
breakthrough
on
the
outside
areas,
A4
and
C4.
This
picture
shows
Bosnia
going
from
possession
to
a
breakthrough
on
the
dribble
in
Nigeria’s
Area
B4.
Nigeria
then
gains
possession
and
is
able
to
advance
the
ball
forward
without
pressure.
Nigeria
eventually
is
able
to
find
and
exploit
the
break
out
area
in
front
of
the
last
defenders.
[Video
Nigeria-‐Bosnia]
Breakout
Teams
losing
possession
during
the
breakthrough
phase
need
to
be
aware
of
what
areas
they
are
leaving
vacant.
The
majority
of
the
goals
were
not
scored
off
of
direct
transition,
but
rather
a
transition
phase,
which
enabled
them
to
advance
quickly
into
the
opponents
end.
While
documenting,
I
used
the
term
transition-‐possession
to
label
this
situation,
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the
team
being
able
to
break
out
of
numbers
in
their
defensive
end
and
then
establish
possession
but
higher
up
the
pitch
with
players
in
attacking
positions.
[Chart
1,
left:
The
chart
shows
the
number
of
times
possession
was
won
in
an
Area
when
the
result
was
direct
transition
resulting
in
a
goal.]
[Chart
2,
right:
The
chart
shows
the
number
of
times
possession
was
won
in
an
Area
when
the
result
was
possession
resulting
in
a
goal.]
What
I
found
to
be
interesting
is
that
most
goals
scored
started
with
what
I
would
call
a
defensive
breakout.
The
majority
of
the
time
when
possession
was
won
in
Area
4,
there
was
a
clear
breakout
by
the
defending
team.
Meaning
the
teams
winning
possession
in
Area
4
after
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defending
were
successful
in
finding
vacant
areas
where
they
could
advance
the
ball
whether
on
the
dribble
or
the
pass.
These
defensive
breakout
areas
are
between
the
attacking
players
in
the
re-‐press
and
the
remaining
players
in
restforsvar
that
were
not
involved
in
the
attack.
Both
the
Teams
going
in
direct
transition
to
goal
and
those
who
scored
after
attacking
a
more
organized
defense
found
these
breakout
areas.
This
picture
shows
the
breakout
areas
Belgium
was
able
to
exploit
after
winning
possession
in
Area
B4.
Algeria
loses
possession
dribbling
centrally
during
the
breakthrough
phase.
Belgium
is
able
to
find
a
breakout
area
and
go
in
direct
transition
to
scoring
a
goal.
[Video
Belgium-‐Algeria
WC2]
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This
picture
depicts
Japan
winning
the
ball
in
Area
4
and
finding
the
breakout
areas
where
they
can
advance
the
ball
quickly
up
field.
Columbia
loses
possession
by
attempting
to
dribble
centrally
during
their
breakthrough.
Japan
starts
their
attack
in
transition
attacking
the
open
space
with
numbers,
but
score
in
transition-possession.
[Video
Japan-‐Columbia
WC1]
Breakthrough
Balance
Throughout
my
assignment,
I
felt
like
there
was
not
one
terminology
that
could
express
or
cover
all
the
aspects
of
this
attacking
balance
I
am
trying
to
establish,
so
I
have
decided
to
call
it
“Breakthrough
Balance”.
Breakthrough
balance
will
mean
the
balance
between
where
and
when
we
go
into
the
breakthrough
phase
and
how
we
prevent
the
opponents
from
having
defensive
breakouts
when
we
lose
the
ball
during
that
phase.
Through
thorough
analysis
of
the
presented
data,
I
have
found
three
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elements
in
which
I
feel
are
most
crucial
in
order
to
keep
this
balance;
3
Elements
of
Breakthrough
Balance
1. Organization:
where
do
we
want
to
have
numbers
in
order
to
create
a
goal
scoring
opportunity
and
not
give
up
goal
scoring
opportunities
when
we
lose
possession.
2. Decision-making
what
are
the
decision
being
made
during
the
break
through
phase
both
in
order
to
score
and
prevent
the
opponents
from
scoring
opportunities.
3. Re-Press:
The
players
involved
in
the
attack
are
positioned
so
that
when
losing
the
ball
a
transition
is
stopped
as
quickly
as
possible
Organization
(1)
Most
teams
are
very
strategic
when
it
comes
to
organizing
players
in
certain
areas
in
the
build
up
phase
and
while
having
and
keeping
possession.
This
was
also
the
case
when
teams
possessed
the
ball
in
Area
4.
When
we
decide
to
enter
the
breakthrough
phase,
the
‘organization’
around
the
ball
tends
to
break
down.
Often,
players
are
making
the
same
runs
into
the
same
areas
as
well
as
players
on
the
same
line
as
they
enter
the
breakthrough
phase.
The
attacking
organization
during
the
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breakthrough
phase
is
vital;
teams
out
of
balance
become
more
susceptible
to
being
scored
upon.
The
attacking
organization
must
be
able
to
mirror
your
defensive
organization.
It
is
common
for
coaches
to
state
that
they
want
to
see
numbers
in
the
attack.
Numerical
balance
in
the
attack
means
having
numbers
in
order
to
defend
or
maintain
the
opposing
team.
Positional
balance
is
having
attacking
players
in
positions
they
can
maintain
or
regain
possession.
The
team’s
attacking
organization
as
they
enter
the
breakthrough
phase
needs
to
be
in
order
with
their
defensive
organization
when
they
lose
the
ball.
Organization
will
not
consist
of
numbers
but
players
in
orchestrated
positions
creating
balance.
This
balance
will
enable
better
opportunities
in
the
breakthrough
phase
and
at
the
same
time
have
players
in
positions
to
regain
possession.
I
have
found
that
Pep
Guardiola
has
a
philosophy
reminding
of
this
breakthrough
balance
I
am
seeking;
that
while
attacking
there
needs
to
also
be
a
focus
on
the
defensive
organization.
In
the
book
“Pep
Confidential”,
Pep
Guardiola’s
physical
trainer,
Lorenzo
Buenaventura,
is
describing
this
philosophy
well:
“All
of
this
is
the
result
of
the
analysis
Pep
carried
out
on
German
Football:
who
played
counter-‐attack
football,
how,
and
how
to
protect
against
it.
It
meant
reaching
the
opposition
penalty
box
in
numbers
and
all
at
the
same
time,
and
always
vigilant
not
to
suddenly
be
caught
on
the
counter.
If
it’s
already
tough
to
coordinate
a
good,
efficient,
balanced
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attack,
imagine
how
hard
it
is
to
add
the
fact
that
we
need
to
have
half
our
minds
on
what
would
happen
if
the
attack
broke
down
and
how
to
be
prepared
for
the
opposition
counter-‐attack!”
(Perarnau2014)
Prevent
defense
is
a
defensive
alignment
in
American
Football
that
seeks
to
prevent
the
offense
from
completing
a
long
pass
or
scoring
a
touchdown
in
a
single
play.
The
goal
of
this
strategy
is
to
prevent
the
offense
from
gaining
any
significant
yardage
or
scoring
a
touchdown
in
a
single
play,
hence
the
name
of
the
strategy.
This
tactical
strategy
is
very
similar
to
the
defending
aspect
of
Restforsvar,
where
we
protect
the
space
behind
the
remaining
defenders
more
so
than
in
front.
In
looking
at
the
analysis
of
the
goals
scored
from
Area
4
there
needs
to
be
a
balance
in
the
organization
to
also
deny
the
break
out
areas
in
front
of
the
remaining
defender.
Decision-making
(2)
We
need
to
closely
look
at
the
decision-‐making
both
when
in
possession
and
when
we
lose
the
ball
in
Area
A.
The
decisions
made
from
both
the
ball
holder
and
fellow-‐attacking
players
in
the
breakthrough
phase
and
the
moments
following
a
loss
of
possession
will
become
the
essence
of
finding
the
balance.
Attacking
awareness
to
create
scoring
opportunities
while
being
able
to
prevent
transition
and
regain
possession
in
the
attacking
third.
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for
a
breakthrough?
Where
are
the
areas
that
become
vacant
by
our
own
players
and
are
we
able
to
recognize
and
cover
them
in
order
to
maintain
or
regain
possession
and
at
the
same
time
protect
against
a
counter-‐
attack.
The
attacking
team
in
no
way
can
control
what
the
defending
team
will
do
but
they
can
be
in
control
of
their
decision
making
during
the
breakthrough
phase.
Looking
at
the
chart
on
page
19,
we
can
see
that
the
most
turnovers
in
Area
4
came
from
trying
to
go
into
the
breakthrough
phase
on
the
dribble.
It
is
also
evident
that
most
of
the
lost
possessions
were
gained
in
Area
4B
which
is
the
most
central
zone.
Based
on
this
information,
teams
should
look
to
avoid
dribbling
in
the
center
Areas
of
the
pitch
when
entering
the
breakthrough
phase.
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In
this
picture
Ecuador
are
in
the
last
minute
of
stoppage
time
with
an
opportunity
in
Switzerland’s
Area
B4.
The
ball
holder
for
Ecuador
decides
to
take
on
the
back
on
the
dribble
and
loses
possession.
Switzerland
is
able
to
win
possession
with
a
defensive
breakout
and
score
in
the
final
seconds.
[Video
Ecuador-‐Switzerland
WC2]
Re-Press
(3)
Restforsvar
The
way
in
which
you
position
the
team
in
attack
when
going
from
the
possession
phase
to
the
breakthrough
phase,
in
order
to
prevent
counter-‐
attacks.
Restforsvar
is
divided
into
two
parts:
defending
and
re-‐press.
Defending
The
players
that
are
not
part
of
the
attack
are
positioned
according
to
the
players
the
opponents
are
leaving
higher
on
the
pitch.
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Re-‐press
The
players
involved
in
the
attack
are
positioned
so
that
when
losing
the
ball
a
transition
is
stopped
as
quickly
as
possible.
When
it
comes
to
the
defending
aspect
of
“restforsvar”,
we
tend
to
have
a
greater
emphasis
on
positional
organization
than
we
do
during
the
re-‐
press.
The
data
is
telling
us
that
there
needs
to
be
a
better
organization
when
we
discuss
the
re-‐press
aspects
of
restforsvar.
The
positioning
of
the
attacking
players
in
the
final
third
during
the
breakthrough
phase
and
the
decision
making
of
the
players
in
this
phase,
both
on
the
ball
and
off,
are
vital
to
preventing
the
opponents
defensive
breakouts
and
transition.
When
we
speak
about
re-‐press,
the
organizational
aspect
of
the
players
is
not
emphasized
as
much
as
the
pressure
on
the
ball.
The
term
re-‐press
seems
to
carry
with
it
an
aggressive
tone
with
the
number
one
priority
to
win
the
ball
back.
Protect,
Predict,
Press…
These
are
the
words
of
the
defensive
guru
Dick
Bates.
He
has
these
three
words
to
explain
and
remember
the
importance
and
relevance
to
basic
defending.
The
most
important
part
of
defending
a
lost
ball,
is
to
protect
the
vacant
areas.
The
second
most
important
aspect
is
to
make
the
play
predictable
to
the
remaining
defenders.
The
third
most
important
part
of
the
defending
then
becomes
pressure
on
the
ball.
There
are
clear
areas
the
attacking
team
has
left
vacant
in
their
attempt
to
score
and
are
not
able
to
fill
quickly
enough
when
the
ball
is
lost
during
the
breakthrough
phase.
The
majority
of
goals
are
scored
when
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the
team
winning
possession
are
able
to
find
breakout
areas
that
they
can
advance
the
ball,
either
on
the
pass
or
the
dribble,
forward
and
away
from
players
that
were
just
in
the
attack.
Breakout
areas
are
vacant
space
left
after
the
opponents
attack
in
front
of
the
remaining
defenders.
This
picture
depicts
the
breakout
areas
left
vacant
by
Argentina
after
entering
the
breakthrough
phase
on
the
dribble.
Nigeria
is
able
to
quickly
advance
the
ball
up
field
in
front
of
the
remaining
defenders.
[Video
Nigeria-‐Argentina
]
The
data
is
telling
us
a
bigger
emphasis
should
be
put
on
the
attackers
positions
in
order
to
take
away
the
opponents
breakout
areas
after
losing
the
ball
in
Area
4
on
the
breakthrough.
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Organization
(1)
Decision-making
(2)
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Re-press
(3)
These
pictures
depict
Japan
having
possession
and
balance
prior
to
going
into
the
breakthrough
phase.
You
can
see
in
picture
2
when
Japan
decide
to
take
an
extra
touch
past
the
Columbian
defender,
there
are
7
players
even
or
ahead
of
the
ball.
In
this
last
picture
you
can
clearly
see
that
Japan
has
lost
their
positional
balance
after
losing
possession,
which
gives
Columbia
an
opportunity
to
transition
out
of
pressure.
[Video
Japan-‐Columbia
WC2]
Perspective
After
accumulating
and
analyzing
the
data
I
believe
that
having
balance
in
your
attack,
especially
in
the
breakthrough
phase,
is
vital
to
minimize
the
opponents
goal
scoring
opportunities.
The
research
has
opened
my
eyes
to
an
important
aspect
of
the
game
that
before
had
not
received
enough
attention.
I
will
put
a
bigger
emphasis
on
breakthrough
balance
in
my
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coaching
philosophy
and
training
practices.
The
fact
that
so
many
goals
are
scored
after
a
breakthrough
proves
that
breakthrough
balance
needs
to
be
implemented
and
practiced
to
become
part
of
the
player’s
routines.
During
the
process
of
writing
this
paper
I
have
also
come
to
see
the
importance
of
balance
when
it
comes
to
changing
from
attack
to
defense
or
vice
versa.
Attacking
balance
is
a
little
harder
to
orchestrate
than
just
defensive
organization,
especially
when
teams
enter
the
breakthrough
phase.
Teams
entering
the
breakthrough
phase
seem
to
have
a
more
“all
in-‐approach”
and
sacrifice
their
balance
for
an
opportunity
to
score.
By
organizing
the
attacking
balance
we
create
better
opportunities
to
keep
or
regain
possession
and
to
be
in
positions
to
take
away
the
breakout
areas.
This
also
means
for
the
players
less
energy
spent
on
running
back
to
a
defensive
position
60
meters
the
other
way.
Order
in
the
Play
One
of
Pep
Guardiola’s
tactical
terms
defined
as:
“The
passing
sequences
need
to
balance
the
team’s
positioning.
If
properly
effected,
from
beginning
to
end
it
means
their
attack
will
be
ordered
and
if
the
ball
is
lost
it
can
be
won
back
quickly,
with
little
wasted
effort”
(Perarnau2014)
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After
analyzing
the
data
it
is
certain
that
I
would
spend
time
implementing
breakthrough
balance
into
my
playing
and
coaching
philosophy.
It
will
then
become
vital
that
these
concepts
and
ideas
are
trained
and
become
part
of
the
player’s
routines.
I
have
illustrated
below
a
specific
session
on
how
to
train
the
breakthrough
balance.
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The
emphasis
will
be
on
attacking
balance:
positioning
players
and
discussing
their
decision-‐making
in
possession
and
entering
the
breakthrough
phase.
Players
will
be
instructed
to
keep
possession
and
pick
and
choose
when
the
best
opportunities
arise
to
go
into
the
breakthrough
phase.
They
will
avoid
entering
the
break
through
phase
on
the
dribble
or
in
the
most
central
areas
of
the
pitch.
We
will
look
to
attack
through
passing
with
numbers,
final
balls,
crosses
low
behind
the
back
line
or
cut
backs.
The
players
will
be
accountable
to
be
aware
of
their
movement
and
decisions
in
relation
to
the
other
players
in
attack.
If
possession
is
lost,
players
will
be
challenged
to
be
aware
of
the
break
out
areas
and
decide
when
the
re-‐press
is
to
win
the
ball
back
or
when
it
is
to
prevent
passes
into
this
area.
What
specific
player
will
be
responsible
for
setting
pressure
on
the
ball,
and
what
players
will
be
responsible
for
closing
the
breakout
areas.
We
will
not
take
chances
in
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trying
to
win
the
ball
back
if
in
return
we
give
the
opponents
breakout
space.
When
there
is
a
loss
of
possession
the
emphasis
will
be:
1. The
balance
of
the
team
when
possession
is
lost
2. Closing
the
defensive
breakout
areas
as
quickly
as
possible
3. Winning
the
ball
back
The
players
defending
in
Area
A
will
try
to
quickly
advance
the
ball
to
find
the
small
goals
representing
the
breakout
areas.
The
balance
of
the
attacking
team
when
possession
is
lost
will
be
the
main
focus.
The
Team
that
lost
possession
will
then
have
to
make
decisions
based
off
of
the
organization
they
are
in
when
they
lose
the
ball.
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Conclusion
The
data
collected
in
this
research
analysis
is
telling
us
that
the
transitional
phase
from
defending
in
Area
4
to
winning
possession
in
Area
4
was
responsible
for
45%
of
the
goals
scored
in
the
group
stage
of
the
2014
World
Cup.
Possession
being
lost
while
entering
the
breakthrough
phase
in
Area
4
accounted
for
the
majority
of
these
goals.
When
examining
the
attacking
team
in
the
breakthrough
phase
there
are
specific
variables
that
lead
to
loss
of
possession.
These
same
variables
leave
the
Team
vulnerable
to
a
counter-‐attack.
Through
this
analysis
it
is
clear
that
teams
that
were
scored
on
following
the
breakthrough
phase
were
not
in
positional
balance.
Statistically,
teams
entering
the
breakthrough
phase
on
the
dribble
were
most
susceptible
to
being
scored
upon
when
losing
possession.
Most
loss
of
possession
occurs
in
B4,
the
middle
area
of
the
pitch.
When
entering
the
breakthrough
phase
on
the
dribble
in
the
central
areas,
it
makes
it
more
difficult
to
have
a
well-‐
organized
re-‐press
when
possession
is
lost.
Breakthrough
balance
enables
players
to
create
goal
scoring
opportunities
and
be
able
to
re-‐gain
possession
or
prevent
a
counter-‐
attack
when
possession
is
lost.
It
is
keeping
defensive
balance
when
teams
are
in
the
attack,
specifically
during
the
breakthrough
phase.
The
balance
consists
of
Organization
(1),
decision-‐making
(2)
and
re-‐press
(3)
and
how
they
all
need
to
be
considered
going
into
the
breakthrough
phase
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References
Pernarau,
M.
2014,
Pep
Confidential
–
inside
Pep
Guardiola’s
first
season
at
Bayern
Munich.
Publisher:
Backpage
Press,
Great
Britain
Merriam
Webster
2014,
[online]
Dictionary,
breakthrough,
URL:
http://www.merriam-‐webster.com/dictionary/breakthrough
(04.03.2015)
Collins
Dictionary
2014,
[online],
balance,
URL:
http://www.collinsdictionary.com/dictionary/english/balance
(05.03.2015)
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Breakthrough
“An
offensive
thrust
that
penetrates
a
defensive
line
in
warfare.
Advancement.”
(Merriam
Webster2015)
Balance
“To
compose
or
arrange
as
to
create
a
state
of
harmony.”
(Collins2015)
“All
men
can
see
these
tactics
whereby
I
conquer,
but
what
none
can
see
is
the
strategy
out
of
which
victory
is
evolved.”
Sun
Tzu
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