José Tavares: Currently is the Head Coach in Charlotte FC NP, USA. He worked also in FC Porto, Boavista FC, FC Paços de Ferreira.

TP: Are players generally not used to this type of training, where they have to stay focused on almost every proposed exercises?

José Tavares: Yes, indeed. The main challenge I’ve encountered is that many players aren’t accustomed to an environment where they need to be focused every single day. They need to be fully prepared for training, which varies each day. While they may understand the methodology, the necessity to maintain concentration and focus at every moment is a significant challenge.

I’ve noticed that many players easily disconnect or lose focus, which is something we cannot afford. They must stay engaged with the game. Finding the right balance for them to switch off momentarily, perhaps during intervals or repetitions of exercises, is crucial.

Their tendency to drift away and play their own game when they should be focused on team principles is something I’ve addressed with them. I emphasize the importance of being focused and making decisions based on game principles rather than personal preferences. It’s an ongoing process, and I’m constantly monitoring it. One of the starting points is their positioning and interaction on the field. I’m not aiming for overly complex interactions but rather simple ones. Occasionally, their creativity and freedom emerge within this framework. Prioritizing macro principles allows us to delve into the finer details as needed.

TP: This transitioning to training the game from day one, from the first exercise, must be a significant challenge for them. How have they reacted to this shift? Do they welcome this type of approach?

José Tavares:Today, I had a conversation with a player who is going to stay with us. He’s from Europe, a small country, and at just 23, he has already been in a professional environment. He mentioned that he wasn’t used to training every single day with the need to maintain focus. So, every day, they need to be prepared as if they were gearing up for a game. We understand that sometimes they’re tired, and sometimes we focus on the recovery process. We manage these factors internally. The players don’t relax; we dictate the timing of breaks, the intensity levels, the areas of focus, and everything else. Their sole responsibility is to perform at their best, at maximum intensity, as we emphasize in our methodology.

We always demand their maximum effort, but we also recognize the need for management. It’s not solely their responsibility but ours. Once they understand this, they realize why. When they’re playing, they need to be focused—it’s as simple as that. Again, it’s not about completing exercises successfully for the sake of it. It’s about understanding the principles we want to instill and actively implementing them. I’m constantly monitoring this. After some time, when they deviate from the principles or fail to fully comprehend them, I pause and speak with them. I ask, “What are we trying to achieve here?” Often, they realize they’ve lost focus. When they’re focused, it’s easy; but when they’re tired or haven’t fully developed these habits, they revert to their old ways. This is where we establish a common language.

It’s about their talent, their ability to produce their highest quality game. It’s fascinating because I’ve noticed an increasing need to stay true to the principles we’re trying to instill and to maintain focus at every moment, even more so now.

TP: How does that affect the sensitivity you need to have on recovery, especially with so many habits changing?

Don’t miss coach José Tavares’ response, in next week’s article.

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KEYWORDS: PRE-SEASON; TACTICAL PERIODIZATION; TRAINING; FOOTBALL; SOCCER; GAME MODEL.