"The more conditions you have to face the game, the more options, the more answers you have to its unpredictability, the better prepared you are." RUI FARIA Num momento os treinadores são confrontados com um conjunto de novos desafios e novas ferramentas, Rui Faria traz-nos uma visão poderosa e disruptiva sobre o que realmente é importante no treino e no futebol. Com 17 anos ao mais alto nível ao lado de José Mourinho, Faria defende que tudo começa com uma ideia clara de jogo — sem isso, não há treino, não há [...]

Fatigue, Injuries, and Adaptation in Modern Soccer: A Tactical Periodization Perspective DAVID TENNEY Soccer is evolving, and with it, new challenges arise for players, coaches, and sports scientists. One of the biggest issues today? The alarming increase in injuries. But why does this happen? Is it just about playing more games, or is there something deeper going on? One of the clearest patterns we’ve seen is how changes in competition schedules directly impact injury rates. Take Major League Soccer (MLS), for example. In 2023, the introduction of the Leagues Cup—a tournament played alongside [...]

"O Meu Caminho até à Periodização Táctica: De Jogador a Treinador” MASTERCLASS RENATO PAIVA EN: I believe there are many ways to reach Rome: by boat, by plane, by bike, on foot, or by car. I believe in my own ways, and fortunately, many of them — almost all, in fact — are based on what my contact with Tactical Periodization has given me from the very beginning. My start was an interesting one. I wasn’t even a coach yet, but I was already thinking about becoming one, which led me to seek [...]

Breaking Myths in Sports Training: The Perspective of Jorge Reis Today, we’ll explore the most commonly misunderstood concepts in sports training, based on Jorge Reis' research and insights. How do these misconceptions impact training, and how could global awareness of these ideas transform the way we train? One of the key points revolves around physiology. Traditionally, university programs and coaching courses approach physiology in a very analytical way, focusing on bodily and energy systems in isolation. In recent years, however, alternative perspectives have gained traction. For example, studies by Professor Billat in France [...]

Brett Uttley, holder of Tactical Periodisation Certificate, and coach with experience ate Inter Miami FC and currently head coach at Austin FC II. PT: The propensity principle, which is one of the three methodological principles of Tactical Periodization, is often the first door that gets people interested and excited about Tactical Periodization. How did you first approach Tactical Periodization, thinking about this idea of training your game every day? Uttley: Passion for player development and the coaching process is what drives many coaches to pursue this career. Reflecting on my own experience, I realize that one of the things that most [...]

Rui Sá Lemos, Certified Trainer at our school, and coach with experience ate FC Porto, Vizela FC and Portimonense SC. PT: Looking at human beings, they benefit from a certain consistency, such as the circadian cycle or the same number of days between games. But nowadays all that doesn't exist. Looking at your experience, what do you take into account to try to minimize the impact of these constant changes? Rui Sá Lemos: Yeah, I think, first of all, it's very related to what you do in the drill and the message you send to the players. [...]

Rui Sá Lemos, certified trainer at our school, and coach with experience ate FC Porto, Vizela FC and Portimonense SC. PT: Can you tell us about your experience of understanding the theoretical side of Tactical Periodization and then moving on to the practical side? Rui Sá Lemos: I think that when people think about and read Tactical Periodization, Miguel, they really need to – like there is a video of a Chinese kid doing this. You know that video where he's in school, doesn't want to learn, and does this to try to put information in. And [...]

Bruno Oliveira Assistant Football Coach in Al-Arabe SC, Al-Duhail Sports Club, Leicester City FC, Swansea City AFC, Queens Park Rangers FC, FC Porto, Lekhwiya, Beijing, Renhe FCCo-author of “Mourinho – why so many wins?” He as a Degree in Physical Education and Sports by University of Porto – Sports Faculty (focus Football). TP: How you deal with this reality of the Performance Departments? Like everything, it's a lot of common sense and a lot of man management skills. You cannot arrive, in my opinion, or if you are Mourinho, Guardiola or Klopp, you arrive and you do whatever [...]

Bruno Oliveira Assistant Football Coach in Al-Arabe SC, Al-Duhail Sports Club, Leicester City FC, Swansea City AFC, Queens Park Rangers FC, FC Porto, Lekhwiya, Beijing, Renhe FCCo-author of “Mourinho – why so many wins?” He as a Degree in Physical Education and Sports by University of Porto – Sports Faculty (focus Football). TP: Could you explain to us what is mainly your role with the coaches you worked with so far? Yeah, I think the other day I was doing the maths and I think it's eight or nineth coach now. So obviously each one of them has [...]

David Tenney is the High Performance Director of Austin FC, in MLS, a former Master’s Student and a Certified Coach by the Official School of Tactical Periodisation®, and currently is finishing our Training for Trainers Course.  He talked with us about this new age that football is currently living, where data and Performance Departments are consolidated in Football reality. TP: Have you ever felt that Tactical Periodization® didn’t work in this group and how you manage that if it ever happened? In my perspective, obviously I'm only 15 months into feeling like I'm using it. I think [...]