1. Marcelo Bielsa Training Sessions
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Say Bielsa, and you say details.
In January 2019, during a press conference, Marcelo Bielsa offered a rare glimpse into the wealth of detail he tracks as a coach. Anyone who has worked with him will tell you: Bielsa's attention to detail is unmatched. For example, he distinguishes roughly 30 different types of one-two combinations, and five distinct ways to lose your marker and get free.
These details are often small, simplified moments drawn from actual match situations. Through this lens, Bielsa tries to bring structure to the complex nature of football.
In this book you will find more than 25+ training sessions.
One of Bielsa’s most praised qualities is his ability to translate those micro-moments into specific training forms — drills that replicate or emphasize the situation he wants players to master. These exercises are often very short, lasting only a few seconds, allowing them to be trained at maximum intensity.
Example
According to Bielsa, a defender in a 1v1 duel may need to drop back when an attacker accelerates — but ultimately should aim to face the attacker again.
“As a coach, I need to create that exact situation in training so the player learns how to solve it. That’s what I call a training form.”
These are often highly specific drills, focused solely on one element: a cross, a first touch, or the timing of a run. Bielsa’s training exercises are usually easy to organize, making them suitable for use at any level of the game. It’s said that Bielsa has developed over 500 different drills in this way — ensuring great variety in his training.
His exercises typically involve small groups, so only the key players in a scenario are involved. He works with multiple assistants, each responsible for a small group of players.
Edition 1, June 2024
