Relational play is becoming ever more popular and thanks to the likes of Jamie Hamilton’s article, ‘what is relationism?’, our understanding of these emergent patterns within the style is ever improving. But how do we coach them?
Firstly let’s have a look at what each of these interactions look like in practice.
‘‘Toco y me voy means ‘I play and I go’. It is the immediate movement of the player following the release of a pass.’’ – Jamie Hamilton
Escadinha is a diagonal structure, in which players use to ‘climb’ up the pitch.
‘‘The ability to identify Escadinhas reveals doors where before there were only walls’’ – Jamie Hamilton
These opportunities emerge through players being in close proximity to one another and in of the ball. But how should we coach these emergent interactions?
Below is a constraints led approach to toco y me voy and escadinha. It is important not to force these patterns, as the patterns are emergent and different every time. We may be tempted to ‘coach’ them in a traditional passing pattern structure, however that would not sit well with how these patterns emerge and are formed in the performance environment.
Instead, we are looking to create an environment where these structures will emerge. It will be up to the players to find solutions to win the game and notice opportunities for toco y me voy and escadinha.
A narrow and long pitch size is used for more progressive play and the constraints on the left are there to be added gradually, not at the same time. They are there to be used as and when you and your players need them.
Different halfway lines have been added for different defensive structures to emerge, giving the in possession team different problems to solve.
If you want to know more about relationism, toco y me voy and escadinhas, I highly recommend Jamie’s article below:
the Raumdeuter. 