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The evolution of zone occupation and its impact on positional play.
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⚽Zonal Division
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⚽Zonal Division
To help players position themselves better, the division of the playing field into zones has proven effective. The fundamental idea is that smart zone occupation automatically implements the principles of positional play. Players need only focus on effectively occupying their assigned zone. The most original zone division originates from Johan Cruyff, who, as the FC Barcelona coach in the 90s, introduced zone play by dividing the field into 30 zones: six horizontally and five vertically.
Guardiola learned as a player under Cruyff and later as his coach, further developed the zone division. His ball possession zones divide the field into 20 areas: horizontally into six and vertically into five. In the center and the half-spaces, there are only four areas - the two penalty areas and the area in between, separated by the halfway line. On the wings, there are six zones each.
In a match against Tottenham, Guardiola's zone division is evident in practice. City stands optimally, as each zone between the penalty areas is occupied by at most one player. The players don't have to constantly keep all principles in mind - these emerge automatically when they occupy their zones correctly.
Assistance for Zone Occupation:
Guardiola's instructions for zone occupation are clear: At no time should two players be in the same zone, as this would undermine the fundamental idea of optimizing the distances between players. Also, there should never be more than two players in a line to keep passing lanes open. Therefore, players occupying adjacent zones should be staggered to avoid blocking each other. This is crucial to prevent mutual obstruction. Within the zones, players should try to distance themselves from their opponents, especially between the opposing defensive lines.
Anything is possible:
Guardiola's zone division is just one example. While many coaches adopt his concepts, there are countless ways to divide the field into zones. Every coach can create their own variation as long as it implements the principles of positional play and is feasible for the players. Ultimately, the goal is to assist players in optimal spatial arrangement.
Positional play as a means of security:
A comprehensive view of positional play would be incomplete without mentioning the benefits of zone division following a loss of possession. The even distribution of players across the field aims to exert immediate pressure after losing the ball. Regardless of where the ball is lost, players are strategically positioned near it due to clever field connections. For instance, if City were to lose possession, players could promptly attempt to regain it. They would then depart from their zones to pressurize the opponent. An effective possession structure must allow for a quick transition into a robust defensive formation after a loss. This stands as one of the major advantages of positional play: with clear instructions, players precisely know which spaces to occupy in each phase of the game. They can swiftly shift from an offensive to a defensive position without needing a new orientation. Ideally, these movement patterns have become routine.
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