Francisco Seirul·lo is one of the leading figures in the field of training in modern football. He was the director of methodology at FC Barcelona for many years, being the most representative figure of what is currently known as structured training.
Structured training is considered a unique process of optimisation of the athlete, seeking the improvement and enhancement of their performance. With this, Seirul-lo proposes that the football player should be understood as a complex structure made up of 8 structures or dimensions that interact with each other, which allow a comprehensive approach to training, beyond the traditional physical approach.
This means that training one structure of the player has an impact on the rest because they are all integrated and manifest themselves in the play. That is why it is important to take into account, more than the isolated characteristics of the players, the way in which they relate to their competitive environment in order to mould it as much as possible to enhance their main strengths, skills and abilities.
The main structures that Seirul-lo define are:
1. Coordinative Structure
It involves the development of motor competencies and the ability to adapt to rapid and varied changes in the sporting environment through motor skills with and without the ball. For example, it enables the footballer to execute actions with precision, such as controlling a difficult pass, driving the ball to overcome an opponent’s pressure or changing direction and accelerating quickly to avoid being beaten in a one-on-one duel.
It is therefore a structure that can be found in various player profiles in any position, from goalkeeper to centre forward.
Figure 1. Examples of actions linked to the coordination structure according to the different position and player profiles in each one. Source: MBP Coaches’ School
2. Cognitive Structure
It refers to the mental processes of the football player: perception, attention, anticipation, decision making and memory. In other words, the interpretation and understanding of the play in general and of ‘our game’ in particular. For example, it allows the player to read what is happening on the pitch, to anticipate plays and to decide what to do at any given moment.
Like the conditional structure, the cognitive structure is present in many of the profiles of each position in different game situations:
Figure 2. Examples of actions linked to the cognitive structure according to the different positions and player profiles in each one. Source: MBP Coaches’ School
3. Conditional Structure
Related to the development of basic physical skills, such as strength, endurance and flexibility. From the new training perspective, this structure will always be present in any playing action, as it is the basis for sustaining the effort during the match, winning duels, arriving before the opponent or maintaining intensity.
Figure 3. Examples of actions linked to the conditional structure according to the different positions and player profiles in each of them. Source: MBP Coaches’ School
4. Socio-Affective Structure
It focuses on developing interpersonal skills and strengthening relationships within and outside the team. In other words, how the player interacts with their teammates. As is logical, coordination between players in the same line and even in the same zone will be very important in order to enhance the collective performance of the team. Despite its significance, it will not be emphasised in as many positions as in the previous structures.
Figure 4. Examples of actions linked to the socio-affective structure according to some positions and player profiles in each one. Source: MBP Coaches’ School
5. Emotive-Volitional Structure
This structure implies the development of self-confidence, perseverance, resilience and the ability to face challenges and overcome adversity. Within this structure, willingness plays a predominant role, and it is considered to be an indispensable condition for ‘everything’. For this, several aspects will be taken into account: intentionality, desire, predisposition, commitment, emotion, optimism and motivation. For example, it enables the player to remain calm under pressure, to react to adversity and to persist in difficult moments.
Figure 5. Examples of actions linked to the emotional-volitional structure according to some positions and player profiles in each one. Source: MBP Coaches’ School
6. Bioenergetic Structure
These are aspects related to metabolism, such as aerobic endurance, anaerobic capacity, recovery and optimisation of energy performance. It is related to the energy input according to the effort to which the athlete is exposed in a given situation. In other words, the player needs energy to make decisions and carry them out. In this sense, it will be reflected in a few player profiles, especially those who are capable of sustaining great effort throughout the match.
Figure 6. Examples of actions linked to bioenergetic structure according to some positions and player profiles in each one. Source: MBP Coaches’ School
7. Creative-Expressive Structure
This structure is associated with the ability to recognise hidden patterns. In this way, it helps the player to open their mind to new possibilities and, therefore, to new solutions. Consequently, the new knowledge they acquire will allow them to self-organise in new situations of uncertainty and variability to which they are exposed and generate new ways of solving new situations.
This indicates the need to build and empower intelligent, creative subjects, capable of creating disruption and surprise at some point and of understanding the surprises of their peers (socio-affectivity) at others (Castaños, 2017). As a result, the subject becomes less predictable and incorporates, through different tasks, a greater number of resources in the changing environment in which he or she operates (competence). This can be seen in unexpected dribbles, surprise passes or improbable shots in complex situations.
Figure 7. Examples of actions linked to the creative-expressive structure according to some positions and player profiles in each one. Source: MBP Coaches’ School
8. Mental Structure
This structure refers to the ways in which the player is affected, the so-called unforeseen situations, and how they overcome the new unknown scenario that was not part of their mental planning. All this triggering of emergent actions arises while the ball is in play, that is, in full competition, so that this structure coexists and interacts in a functional way with the others. It is not specific to any particular position but is directly linked to the personality of each player. However, it is more common for it to appear in certain positions.
Figure 8. Examples of actions linked to mental structure according to some positions and player profiles in each one. Source: MBP Coaches’ School
Do you want to learn more about Individual Fundamentals by Position?
The ‘Specialist in Individual Fundamentals by Position’ course will allow you to study in depth the more than 90 individual fundamentals by player position. All these fundamentals are the result of an exhaustive study of each and every one of the most common and relevant situations in which each player finds themselves in during a match depending on their position on the field. Once these situations in the play have been identified, we study which are the optimal solutions that give the player the best chance of success.
