Marcelo Bielsa Book PDF

What is the main
purpose of attack.
It is to reach a
destination on the
pitch that the
opponent does not
expect you to arrive
- Marcelo Bielsa

How it works
Marcelo Bielsa has a reputation of being a meticulous coach,
obsessed with the fitness of his players in order for them to play
the intense pressing game he demands.!
Murder Ball
!
He’s lived up to that billing as Leeds boss, as many of his players
would testify. That’s something the 'murderball’ game fits into.!
What is it?
!
Mateusz Klich who has starred for Bielsa at Leeds United gave an
inside insight as to what exactly the famous murder ball game
involves.!
!
“It’s basically playing 11 v 11 with no stops,” said Klich.!
!
“Constantly running around and sprinting, and you have all the
coaches on the pitch basically screaming all the time and
basically you can’t stop running.!
!
It’s just a normal game with normal rules, 11 v 11 on a big pitch.
You just play, but you can’t stop running. It’s tough, but it’s the
most important session in the week.!
!
It depends on the training how long he wants us to play. It could
be five times six minutes, or one times 20 minutes. It just depends
what Marcelo wants.!
!
Even if the ball goes out, there’s a member of staff waiting with
another ball to put it in. You can’t stop.!
!
That’s the way he wants us to be, to play his football you need to
be very fit, you need to run a lot”!
!
See PDF session plan or video animation for example. !
www.keepitonthedeck.com!
How it works
Murder Ball This is an 11v11 game practice with no stops in

Session 1 play demanding a high intensity throughout..!
!
The rules of the practice are: Play begins with a
11v11 on a full sized pitch. Coaches are placed
on the pitch and on sidelines in order to
constantly restart play where needed. As seen
on the training ground of Leeds United Football
Club the game is used either as a twenty minute
game or split into periods with set times and
small breaks between play.!
!
This session has a high emphasis on work rate
and intensity.!
!
Session Plan 1! Murder Ball!
Number of Players Intensity
22! Very High!
Time in Play Dimensions
Allocated! Full Pitch!
OBJETIIVE
Normal 11v11 game with both teams

attempting to win.!
RULES
Play never stops (Constant continuation of the

game). Players must be moving and working at
all times. Normal 11v11 rules apply.!
Player Key
Team 1 (In Play)!

Team 2 (In Play)!
Info@keepitonthedeck.com! @Keepitonthedeck! @Keepitonthedeck! /Keepitonthedeck !

How it works
Marcelo Bielsa during his
Chile
time as Chile national team
Movement Triggered
manager used a pattern of
What is it?
play designed to time
forward movement in line
with time and space on the
ball for teammates. The
pattern was often used in
multiple zones made up of
four players per zone.!
!
.!
See PDF session plan or video animation for example
How it works
This is a pattern of play designed to build habits

Movement Triggered of creating forward movement in sync with
teammates having time and space on the ball to
Session 2 play forward passes.!
!
!
The set up of this practice is: Two players begin
passing back and fourth from a serving area.
The players are only permitted one touch whilst
passing back and fourth. There will be a 1v1 in
the receiving zone. The attacking player must
lose his marker and seek to receive a first time
pass from one of the two serving players before
finishing in one of two target goals.!
!
Emphasis on timing of runs, timing of pass and
movement to receive. !
!
Session Plan 2! Movement Triggered!
4! High!
Open! 8x12!
OBJETIIVE
The attacking player will attempt to score in one

of two target goals.!
RULES
Players in serving zone are restricted to one

touch. Players in receiving zone are restricted to
their zone.!
Player Key
Team 1 (In Play)!

Team 2 (In Play)!

Valuable people
are not those who
suffer defeats,
but those who
retain the ability
to rebuild after
the pain of defeat
- Marcelo Bielsa

How it works
Up Back Through Marcelo Bielsa during his

Leeds Finishing time as Leeds United
What is it? manager went viral with a
YouTube clip showing a
finish on goal during this up
back through finishing set
up. The practice worked on
patterns of play designed to
exploit space beyond
opposition defensive lines.!
!
How it works
Up Back Through This is a pattern of play designed to exploit

Finishing space beyond an opposition backline. !
!
Session 3 The set up of this practice is: Three players
combine in an up back through passing
sequence while a fourth player times a run to
advance onto a through pass on goal.!
!
The objective is to finish the move with a first time
shot where possible.!
!
Emphasis on timing of runs.!
!
Session Plan 3! Up Back Through - Finishing!
5! High!
Open! Half Pitch!
OBJETIIVE
The attacking player will attempt to score

on goal.!
RULES
Three players must combine in the

set sequence before the through
pass is made.!
Player Key
Team 1 (In Play)!

How it works
Marcelo Bielsa during his time
Pressure Cover at Athletic Bilboa used a
Conditioning unique combination of
What is it? common football specific
movement for defenders
during his conditioning
sessions. In this next example
we will see pressure cover
patterns used as conditioning
runs described by Bielsa as
specific football movements.!
!
How it works
Pressure Cover This is a pattern of play designed to mix

conditioning with defensive specific movement/
Conditioning running. !
Session 4 !
The set up of this practice is: Four players take
part in the practice. Two players pass from side
to side in the sequence seen in the video
belonging to this session plan while two
opponents chase the ball in pressure cover
movements throughout.!
!
Emphasis on pressure cover movements as the
ball travels. !
!
Session Plan 4! Pressure Cover - Conditioning!
4! High!
Open! 10x20!
OBJETIIVE
Sequence of the combination is

followed until practice is complete.!
RULES
Players must follow the passing

sequence outlined. !
Player Key
Team 1 (In Play)!

Team 2 (In Play)!

A great team is
one that is not
conditioned by
the rival
- Marcelo Bielsa

How it works
Marcelo Bielsa during his
Half Yard
time at Athletic Bilboa
Movements
frequently featured a 1v1 set
What is it?
up with focus on creating a
half yard to finish/cross. The
set up was predominantly
used as part of his
conditioning sessions with a
high demand on intensity
throughout. !
!
How it works
Half Yard This is a physically demanding 1v1 session

designed to replicate game specific moves in
Movements order to create space when shooting or crossing.!
Session 5 !
The set up of this practice is: Players begin 1v1
at end lines. The objective for the player in
possession is to create space in order to finish in
one of the two opponent targets goals. If the
defender wins the ball they will attempt to score
in one of two target goals at the opposite end of
the playing zone.!
!
Emphasis on ball mastery and explosive
movements.!
!
Session Plan 5! Half Yard Movements!
6! High!
Open! 16x35!
OBJETIIVE
Players in possession attempt to score in

one of two goals.!
RULES
Defenders are permitted to tackle and

score in opponents goal when they win
possession. !
Player Key
Team 1 (In Play)!

Team 2 (In Play)!

How it works
Marcelo Bielsa during his time
as Argentina national team
Attacking Intensity manager used a final third
What is it? practice designed to
encourage high intensity
support play when exploiting
spaces in wide areas.!
!
The session was designed to
encourage high intensity runs
with purpose when attacking
towards the penalty box.!
!
How it works
This is a practice designed for the final third of

Attacking Intensity the pitch with focus on support runs when
Session 6 playing into spaces in wide areas.!
!
The set up of this practice is: Players begin 4v2
in a rondo zone. The objective for the players in
possession is to complete five passes before
switching play to a wide player. When the ball is
switched to a wide player play will become live
as a 6v6. The attacking team will look to score
goals while the defending team must deny goals. !
!
Emphasis on support runs and movement to
receive. !
!
Session Plan 6! Attacking Intensity!
12! High!
Open! 1/3 Pitch!
OBJETIIVE
Players in possession attempt to complete five

passes before switching play and attacking goal.!
RULES
Players in possession must complete

five passes before switching play.!
Player Key
Team 1 (In Play)!

Team 2 (In Play)!

The facts are more
significant than the words.
Demonstrating is much more
important than speaking
- Marcelo Bielsa

How it works
Overlap Pattern Marcelo Bielsa during his

Triangulations time at Leeds United used
What is it? this pattern of play
frequently as a
conditioning set up during
pre season. The pattern
works overlap movement
and directional runs.!
!
How it works
Overlap Pattern
Triangulations This practice is a pattern of play that!
Session 7 incorporates overlaps and directional runs.!
!
The set up of this practice is: Three players
begin the practice as outlined in the
accompanying video with this session plan and
follow a set sequence in a closed practice.!
!
!
Emphasis on high intensity movements.!
!
Session Plan 7! Overlap Pattern - Triangulations
3 Per Set! High!
Open! 8x30!
OBJETIIVE
Players follow the set sequence as outlined in the

video accompanying this session plan.!
RULES
Players touches are limited upon

progress in order to add more
technical base challenge.!
Player Key
Team 1 (In Play)!

How it works
Marcelo Bielsa’s famous wall !
passing patterns have featured!
Wall Pass Pattern on training ground pitches
throughout the world.!
What is it? !
The idea is to replicate a wall !
pass movement, but focus on
developing good defensive
movement habits when defending.
Bielsa often will place emphasis
on getting across the path of the
attacking player before turning to
defend the wall pass.!
!
How it works
This practice is a pattern of play that was
designed by Bielsa to focus on developing good
habits when defending a wall pass.!
Wall Pass Pattern !
Session 8 The set up of this practice is: Three players
begin the practice as outlined in the
accompanying video with this session plan. The
objective is for the attacking player to score by
playing a one two around the defending player.!
!
The defending player begins outside of the
yellow start zone. When the first cross field pass
is made the defender must enter the yellow zone
to defend 1v1. The serving player is restricted to
the red serving zone.!
!
Emphasis on defensive movement to get across
the attackers path when defending. Emphasis on
the defenders approach run.!
!
Session Plan 8! Wall Pass Pattern
3! High!
Open! 10x25!
OBJETIIVE
Player receiving the pass in the yellow start zone

will attempt to score in one of two target goals.!
RULES
The defender must enter the yellow start

zone when the first pass is made. Server!
is restricted to the red serving zone.!
Player Key
Team 1 (In Play)!

Team 2 (In Play)!

Little I say is
original, I have
learned almost
everything from
watching or
taking from
others
- Marcelo Bielsa

How it works
Marcelo Bielsa’s famous wall pass
patterns have featured on training
Wall Pass Pattern ground pitches throughout the
Progression world. This version of the wall
What is it? pass practice is a progression
from the one previously reviewed
in session eight of this download.!
!
The idea in this version of the
practice is to force defenders into
pressing which will allow the
attacking player run beyond to
finish on goal during a second
through ball phase of play.!
!
How it works
This practice is a pattern of play that was

Wall Pass Pattern designed by Bielsa to focus on developing good
Progression habits when attacking using a wall pass.!
!
Session 9 The set up of this practice is: Two servers begin
in the yellow serving zone. The first server will!
pass into the attacker in the red zone. The
objective for the attacker is to make space away
from the defender before returning a pass into
the server. The defender will attempt to intercept
the pass. As the first pass is made a second
server will dribble out through cones before
playing a through pass immediately after the
attacker in the red zone plays a return pass.!
!
Emphasis on quick transition to exploit a through
ball on goal.!
!
Session Plan 9! Wall Pass Pattern - Progression
5! High!
Open! 1/3 Pitch!
OBJETIIVE
The attacking player in the red zone will attempt to lose their marker and play a return
pass to the serving player during phase one. In phase two the attacking player will
react quickly to a through ball and attempt to finish on goal.!
RULES
Servers are restricted to their zone. The

attacking player and defender are restricted to
the red zone until phase two of the practice when
an attempted through pass will be made. !
Player Key
Team 1 (In Play)!

Team 2 (In Play)!

How it works
Finishing Under Marcelo Bielsa used this finishing

Pressure under pressure set up for many
What is it? years. !
!
As seen in the image opposite the
practice was first recorded on the
Argentinian training ground back
in the late 1990’s. A mark of how
Bielsa over twenty years ago was
already changing the game.!
!
How it works
Finishing Under This practice is an open practice that replicates

Pressure defensive pressure when finishing in a one
versus one scenario.!
Session 10 !
The set up of this practice is: A serving player
begins in the yellow zone. The objective for the
server is to pass beyond the defender in the red
zone into their teammate. !
!
The teammate wearing number 9 will then attack
the goal in an attempt to score. The defender
from the red zone will be permitted to chase back
in a attempt to help the goalkeeper deny a goal.!
!
Emphasis on movement to receive, screen play,
recovery runs and finishing.!
!
Session Plan 10! Finishing Under Pressure
4! High!
Open! 12x25!
OBJETIIVE
The serving player in the yellow zone will attempt to

pass into their teammate in order to advance on goal.!
RULES
All players are restricted to their zones with

the exception of the defending player who is
permitted to chase back as a recovery run
when the number 9 receives the ball.!
Player Key
Team 1 (In Play)!

Team 2 (In Play)!

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What is the main

Murder Ball This is an 11v11 game practice with no stops in

22! Very High!

Time in Play Dimensions

Allocated! Full Pitch!

Normal 11v11 game with both teams

Play never stops (Constant continuation of the

Team 1 (In Play)!

Info@keepitonthedeck.com! @Keepitonthedeck! @Keepitonthedeck! /Keepitonthedeck !

This is a pattern of play designed to build habits

Time in Play Dimensions

The attacking player will attempt to score in one

Players in serving zone are restricted to one

Team 1 (In Play)!

Info@keepitonthedeck.com! @Keepitonthedeck! @Keepitonthedeck! /Keepitonthedeck !

Up Back Through Marcelo Bielsa during his

Up Back Through This is a pattern of play designed to exploit

Time in Play Dimensions

Open! Half Pitch!

The attacking player will attempt to score

Three players must combine in the

Team 1 (In Play)!

Info@keepitonthedeck.com! @Keepitonthedeck! @Keepitonthedeck! /Keepitonthedeck !

Pressure Cover This is a pattern of play designed to mix

Time in Play Dimensions

Sequence of the combination is

Players must follow the passing

Team 1 (In Play)!

Info@keepitonthedeck.com! @Keepitonthedeck! @Keepitonthedeck! /Keepitonthedeck !

Half Yard This is a physically demanding 1v1 session

Time in Play Dimensions

Players in possession attempt to score in

Defenders are permitted to tackle and

Team 1 (In Play)!

Info@keepitonthedeck.com! @Keepitonthedeck! @Keepitonthedeck! /Keepitonthedeck !

This is a practice designed for the final third of

Time in Play Dimensions

Open! 1/3 Pitch!

Players in possession attempt to complete five

Players in possession must complete

Team 1 (In Play)!

Info@keepitonthedeck.com! @Keepitonthedeck! @Keepitonthedeck! /Keepitonthedeck !

Overlap Pattern Marcelo Bielsa during his

3 Per Set! High!

Time in Play Dimensions

Players follow the set sequence as outlined in the

Players touches are limited upon

Team 1 (In Play)!

Info@keepitonthedeck.com! @Keepitonthedeck! @Keepitonthedeck! /Keepitonthedeck !

Time in Play Dimensions

Player receiving the pass in the yellow start zone

The defender must enter the yellow start

Team 1 (In Play)!

Info@keepitonthedeck.com! @Keepitonthedeck! @Keepitonthedeck! /Keepitonthedeck !

This practice is a pattern of play that was

Time in Play Dimensions

Open! 1/3 Pitch!

Servers are restricted to their zone. The

Team 1 (In Play)!

Info@keepitonthedeck.com! @Keepitonthedeck! @Keepitonthedeck! /Keepitonthedeck !

Finishing Under Marcelo Bielsa used this finishing

Finishing Under This practice is an open practice that replicates