Tactical Periodization (TP) is a training methodology that has gained prominence in football coaching circles, with a tremendous influence from Portuguese Coaches, namely the multiple-title-winner Coach José Mourinho, originally influenced by Vitor Frade, a sports scientist and professor from Porto University. He worked extensively on understanding the tactical aspects of football and on how to integrate them into training. 

But, the question remains: What is Tactical Periodization?

“Tactical Periodization is a training methodology (…) with a tremendous influence from Portuguese Coaches, namely the multiple-title-winner Coach José Mourinho, originally influenced by Vitor Frade”

Although there are a decent variety of significant studies that have explored its impact on bridging the gap between game strategy and training, it seemed easier for me to set a few key considerations to better understand this concept.

• Game-Centric Approach: TP revolves around creating training sessions that mirror the dynamics of actual matches. This element of reality into the training sessions is the most relevant characteristic of this concept. Research indicates that this game-centric approach enhances players’ ability to translate training concepts into real-game situations. Therefore, if scouting systems evolved – in this case, observing opposing teams potential strengths and weaknesses collectively and individually – and get integrated in the week training plan, it seemed logical to have the training sessions adapted to what would be game-reality expected from Technical Staff.
• Integration of Tactical and Physical Elements: TP seamlessly integrates tactical, technical, mental and physical aspects of the game. The main principle of TP is that all work done must be aligned with the game model itself, and shouldn’t be categorized separately. Therefore, understanding that all involved concerns the game model proposed, there must a team understanding of the roles that each department can add up to the game model needs. Although studies emphasize that this holistic approach leads to more well-rounded players who can execute tactics efficiently throughout a match, there are certainly challenges to face when understanding the Club all-round departments, specially if the work was done differently before.
• Specificity and Context: TP emphasizes situational and context-specific training, making sure that all context is game-related and aligned with the Game Model of the team. These elements are crucial as research highlights that players exposed to various in-game scenarios during training become more adaptable and better decision-makers on the field. It comes obvious now, probably to you and all involved in Football, but a few years ago it wasn’t like that. We can assume that there was an element of unpredictability associated with what the game would eventually turn out to be, that also promoted creativity and certain elements of leadership. Arguably. But we must understand where we position ourselves’ beliefs in order to better explain it. Just as there are Models of Youth Development supported on the idea of self-discovery, where minimal guidelines are presented to the players and their experience of successful and error decisions/actions would eventually guide them into a set of actions that allow him/her to be successful in the Game. 
• Periodization and Progression: Proper periodization of training loads is a cornerstone of TP. Studies show that structured progression in training intensity and complexity helps players peak at the right moments and reduces the risk of injuries. The progress of these principles, very much related to the physical and mental load of the Training Sessions, supports the integration (once again) of all work done with the focus on the competitive moment, and nowadays is very common to have weeks counted reversely towards the game day. For example, say your team is playing on a Sunday and first Training Session of that week is on Tuesday. Tuesday becomes now the Training Session -5, Wednesday the -4, Thursday the -3, Friday the -2 and, finally, Saturday the -1, having the number of days that separate the Training Session from the Game as the main focus. Therefore, the progression of context, work load and information provided throughout the week planning sets instantly the need for a careful thought-process in order to have players reaching the competitive moment ready for every moments and expected oppositions strategies fresh in their minds.
• Consistency and Repetition: TP promotes consistency and repetition of tactical concepts throughout the training process. Research suggests that repetitive training aids in automating decision-making processes for players, making them more efficient on the field. Although we may look at this concept to a more professionalized Football, it can (and should) be applied to the Development Stages of the Youth Player, in Academies. I’ve worked under the microcycle (week on week planning) and mesocycle (periods of 4 to 6 weeks planning) approaches and providing space for consistency and repetition in younger stages had a definite impact on teaching Football.

“We understand the importance of the physical, the technical and the psychological,” he says, “but in this periodization what controls everything is the tactical. This is why it is called tactical periodization.

José Mourinho

• Coach Expertise: Effective implementation of TP relies heavily on the Coach’s expertise in managing different informations from different departments.These methodology states clearly the importance of Coaches understanding of the methodology thoroughly, to surround himself with Staff that add up to the teams evaluation and performance and, mainly, having the ability to adapt all of it into the team needs. These may require longer time into the implementation of the Game Model proposed, but there’s an element of greater game understanding and performance peaks that is more relevant to the Coach. For example, the progression of the physical work load throughout the Season, just as the intensity and complexity of the information provided, and consequently the Training Sessions individually and weekly, are key elements for those who defend the implementation of this methodology.
• Monitoring and Evaluation: TP encourages continuous monitoring and evaluation of players’ performances and progress. Like I have mentioned before, this methodology is supported on the continuous involvement of all departments of the Club towards a common goal. Research also underscores the significance of data-driven decision-making for coaches to fine-tune training plans, reinforcing the need to have a great team surrounding the Head Coach, providing care Analysis and data-supported arguments when making a decision.
• Player Understanding: Players’ comprehension of tactical concepts is vital and must be trained accordingly. Here again, the concept of progression is attached, specially when promoting the methodology in younger stages of development. Start small (Space, Time and Numerical Relationships) and progress accordingly. Don’t rush things. Find a nurtured shared understanding between players and coaches about the tactical approach to each game moment, and provide Training Sessions that effectively promotes and helps in executing your tactics and strategy principles.
• Tactical Flexibility: TP allows for tactical flexibility, enabling teams to adapt to different opponents and game situations. Consequently, well-drilled teams can adjust their tactics more seamlessly during matches, and this a competitive advantage that must be nurtured without the compromising of consistency and repetition concepts explained before. If your team has a set of behaviors defined that are independent of the existing tactical system, at any point, you have instantly arguments that are hard to defy in the same manner, as you’ll likely have an answer to all challenges that a team can provoke – and this is where the competitive advantage can be definite. However, regardless the beauty and how powerful you fell your team is when capable to perform when this is successfully implemented, this is the hardest task in hand, as it takes a really good proportion of time to be stable across the team. You may find that some players are ready to progress faster than others (consistency and repetition aligned with progression of complexity of information provided), and that is normal. But remember that, ultimately, you’re looking to improve collectively and having your game model implemented equally across the team and towards competitive moments.
• Long-Term Development: TP is viewed as a methodology for long-term player development and this is where I would like to end these considerations, as it may be very well applied into the Youth Development Stages that we also discuss at the blog. The TP principles complement a wide-range of sciences and disciplines that obey to one’s – the Coach – ideas and vision of the game, from where he/she can start implementing the Game Model. The benefits from using this Methodology in a Club or Academy are immense, as they provide a defined path of different context and behaviors that grow with time, in a transversal and sustainable way. And this is the most important when developing skills, to be in harmony, progressive and organized. We don’t have to defend all the same tactics and strategies, for sure, but individual behaviors in their foundation are very similar and those are the most important to share in younger stages.

Tactical Periodization has become a valuable tool in football coaching due to its game-centric, integrated, and context-specific approach. Implementing TP effectively requires a deep understanding of the methodology, a great commitment to consistency and progression, and the ability to adapt to the evolving needs of the team. Coaches who embrace TP principles can help players bridge the gap between training and real-game situations, ultimately leading to improved performance on the field.

As you may now be aware, there is a deep connection between the Game Model and Tactical Periodization, and should be that way. The Game Model is a manual of the desired behaviors for the team to execute in all moments of the game, and the more specific and complete they are, the better the connection to the Training Sessions is. Naturally, to be able to prepare adequate Training Sessions and to provide accurate feedback in order to achieve the coordinate movement of the players that will then allow your desired behaviors to become real in a match situation, preparation, visualization and experimentation are key elements.

“Make no mistakes, everyone wins and loses, regardless their tactics and strategies. For sure, some more than others.”

As we know, there must be a theory before practicality, and we all must prepare our theory. 

A tip? 

Spend a significant amount of time preparing your theory, mainly by visualization of the different game approaches, training methods and different exercises, and understanding exactly why you want to attack or defend in a specific way. 

Make no mistakes, everyone wins and loses, regardless their tactics and strategies.

For sure, some more than others.

And I’m one that believe that believe that the players’ quality individually is keen to success, and that a group of good players can promote an average Coach but an exceptional Coach would hardly get the Champion Crown with a group of average players.

But, ultimately, you must be prepared to be confronted why you support your theory in a certain way, and way to explain it in your terms.

If not, how could you explain what you want in detail?

How do you support your decisions?

Again, you must understand yourself first, and why you want your teams’ behaviors to be A or B in all moments of the Game, before trying to influence others with it.

Hope this helps!
Cheers!