Guus Hiddink's Methods

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Hiddinks 3-4-3 System

The main features of this system as played by Hiddink are: The main features of this system as played by Hiddink are:

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1. When in When in possession of possession of the the ball the ball the first first priorities if priorities if available was available was to pass to pass to one to one of the of the threethree forward players which are either a left or right winger or a striker who is capable of dropping back forward players which are either a left or right winger or a striker who is capable of dropping back of pushing forward off the last defender. If this is not possible then the ball would be passed to of pushing forward off the last defender. If this is not possible then the ball would be passed to either the left or right midfield player. The forward players would the move constantly in search of either the left or right midfield player. The forward players would the move constantly in search of a forward ball. The emphasis of attacking was constant high pressure combined with aggressively a forward ball. The emphasis of attacking was constant high pressure combined with aggressively pushing on the penalty area. Forward players were also to anticipate lost balls by the defenders. pushing on the penalty area. Forward players were also to anticipate lost balls by the defenders.

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2. When not When not in possession in possession of the of the ball of ball of the ball the ball the the emphasis was emphasis was on aggressive on aggressive high pressure high pressure withwith closing down on the man with the ball and his neares passing options. The focus was defending to closing down on the man with the ball and his neares passing options. The focus was defending to win ball back as quickly as possible. If the ball is advanced through the pressure or the opponent win ball back as quickly as possible. If the ball is advanced through the pressure or the opponent manages to keep composed possession forward players can drop into midfield to constrict space manages to keep composed possession forward players can drop into midfield to constrict space and overload the area of the ball.

and overload the area of the ball.

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3. On On immediately regaining immediately regaining the the ball a ball a pass pass is is made to made to best best available forward available forward player, midfield player, midfield playersplayers are to overlap and make fast forward runs where possible to make sure the opponent withdraws are to overlap and make fast forward runs where possible to make sure the opponent withdraws facing their own goal and always has a player to cover.

facing their own goal and always has a player to cover.

The coaching approach of Hiddink is focused on 2 areas: The coaching approach of Hiddink is focused on 2 areas:

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1. Improving the Improving the players ability players ability to to use use techniques techniques and tand tactics actics to to “solve “solve problems” on problems” on the the pitch.pitch.

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2. Compensating Compensating for for technical technical and and tactical tactical weaknesses weaknesses by by maximising maximising fitness.fitness.

The aim is to have simple tactics executed at maximum intensity for as long and aggressively as possible The aim is to have simple tactics executed at maximum intensity for as long and aggressively as possible during the match.he believes this will give his team the best chance of winning the game.

during the match.he believes this will give his team the best chance of winning the game.

The following programme is designed to maximise physical performance of the above system and provide a The following programme is designed to maximise physical performance of the above system and provide a format for building problem solving into small sided games.

format for building problem solving into small sided games.

Periodization Programme: Periodization Programme:

The fitness work for this contains four areas: The fitness work for this contains four areas:

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1. Maintaining Maintaining the the ability ability to to recover recover quickly quickly between between moments moments of of action action on on the the pitchpitch

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2. Maintaining Maintaining explosiveness explosiveness of of action action for for longer longer during during playplay

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3. Maximising Maximising recovery recovery abilityability

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Training to maintain quick recovery:

Extensive Endurance Training= 3-9 games of 10 minutes 11v11 2 minutes rest between games

Intensive Endurance Training= 5-9 games of 8 minutes 7v7 2 minutes rest between games

Training method to maintain explosiveness of action:

This is done to raise the pace of the game for longer periods.

Repeated Short Sprinting= 2-4 series of 6-10 sprints of 15 m with opponent + finishing on goal 10 seconds rest between sprints with 4 minutes rest between series.

Training method for maximising recovery procces:

Extensive Interval Training=2 series of 6-10 games of 3 minutes 3 v 3 with 3-1 minutes rest between games and 4 minutes rest between series

Training method to maximise explosiveness:

Sprinting Speed= 2-4 series of 8-10 sprints of 5 m with opponent + finishing on goal with 30 seconds rest between sprints and 4 minutes rest between series

Periodizing training:

After builing the base of fitness above the focus is then periodization of training. This again uses global problem solving drills designed with Hiddinks two pronged approach in mind.

All training methods contain elements like:

– duration of work

– number of repetitions

– number of series

– rest between repetitions

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These elements within a training method can be used to develop overload during training. Forexample, a longer duration of work or a higher number of repetitions. The remaining questionis: which element do you change in what sequence and in what moment of time?

Extensive Endurance Training:

3-9 games of 10 minutes 11 v 11 2 minutes rest between games.

step 1. 10 min / rest 3 -2 min

step 2. 10 min / rest 4- 2 min

step 3. 10 min / rest 5- 2 min

step 4. 10 min/ rest 6 -2 min

step 5. 10 min/ rest 7- 2 min

step 6. 10 min /rest 8- 2 min

Intensive Endurance Training:

5-9 games of 8 minutes 7 v 7 with 2 minutes rest between games.

step 1. 8 min/rest 5- 2 min

step 2. 8 min / rest 6 -2 min

step 5.8 min /rest 9 -2 min

Extensive Interval Training:

2 series of 6-10 games of 3 minutes 3v3 with 3-1 minutes rest between games and 4 minutes rest between series.

step 1. 3 min/ 6 games 3 min rest /2- 4 min

step 2. 3 min/ 6 games 2.5 min rest/2 -4 min

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step 4. 3 min/ 6 games 1.5 min rest / 2- 4 min

step 5. 3 min/ 6 games 1 min rest /2- 4 min

step 6. 3 min/ 7 games 1 min rest /2 -4 min

step 7. 3 min/ 8 games 1 min rest / 2- 4 min

step 8. 3 min/ 9 games 1 min rest /2 -4 min

step 9. 3 min /10 games 1 min rest / 2- 4 min

Repeated Short Sprinting:

2-4 series of 6-10 sprints of 15 metres with opponent + finishing on goal with 10 seconds rest between sprints and 4 minutes rest between series.

step 1. 15 m /6- 2 reps/10 sec /4 min

step 2. 15 m /7 -2 reps/10 sec/ 4 min

step 3. 15 m /8 -2 reps/10 sec /4 min

step 4. 15 m/ 9 -2 reps/10 sec /4 min

step 5. 15 m /10- 2reps/ 10 sec/ 4 min

step 6. 15 m /10 -3reps/ 10 sec /4 min

step 7. 15 m /10- 4 reps/10 sec /4 min

Sprinting Speed:

2-4 series of 8-10 sprints of 5 metres with opponent + finishing on goal with 30 seconds rest between sprints and 4 minutes rest between series

step 1. 5 m /8 2 reps/ 30 sec /4 min

step 2. 5 m/ 9 2 reps/30 sec /4 min

step 3. 5 m /10 2 reps/30 sec /4 min

step 5. 5 m /9 3 reps/ 30 sec /4 min

step 6. 5 m /10 3reps/ 30 sec/ 4 min

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step 9. 5 m/ 10 4 reps/30 sec /4 min

Guide lines for effective training sessions:

As well as following the above concepts there are certain guidelines for effective training sessions which Hiddink follows:

1. Only football activities should be used as the main ways to increase fitness.

2. Intensity should not be allowed to drop during training there should always be some form of over load present.

3. The coach has the final say on all training sessions based on what his targets are i.e he decides which areas should be worked on more intensely depending on what need improving the most.

4. Every player must do exactly what they are instructed to do in order for the system to run properly. This provides the organisational base on which problem solving and initiative can be allowed. Tactical rules are kept very simple.

5. As the session progresses tactical rules are taken more strictly to improve the ability to function effectively tacticly when fatigued, the coaches role is to point out where players make mistakes when they fatigue and then direct how to improve this area.

6. If there is a solution to a problem decided upon the every aspect of performance relating to that solution must be performed with full discipline and work rate, as allowing players to become slack in skipping good habits is damaging to the team discipline and organisation.

7. Rest sessions should be used for problem solving questions which relate to the tactical situations the team are facing.

8. Interventions are made only up to the point where the tactical aims are performed effectively for a given situation after this the exercises will be repeated for habit building and fitness.

9. The aim of tactical games is to focus on reading the situation, solving problems and decision making as these areas when trained properly create a dramatic improvement in performance.