Identity Game - Strasbourg Koenigshoffen 2025 - Papa Malickou Diakhate (Patreon)

This exercise is designed to develop all key game principles: possession play, pressing, and transitions, both sectorally and intersectorally.

Setup & Rules

• The drill takes place in a 15x20m grid where the team in possession plays a 5v3 + 1 joker setup.

• Their objective is to complete four passes before finding a player in the upper grid, where another 5v3 + 1 joker situation is taking place.

• Once the ball is played into the upper grid, the final action consists of either one pass or a progressive first touch (if positioned high within the grid) to enter the disruptive space and attack the central mini-goal.

Defensive Structure & Transitions

• The defending team is split into two groups of three:

  • Three press high in the grid where the team in possession is circulating the ball.

  • Three others stay lower, adjusting their positioning according to the ball's movement to block passing lanes.

• This team also has two players positioned in each grid’s high zone:

  • These wide players become targets when the ball is recovered and aim to score in side mini-goals.

  • In the lower zone, the defenders must react immediately, provide cover, and prevent a goal in the central mini-goal.

Rotations & Game Dynamics

• Since the drill is played in a 10v10 format, rotations are simple.

• After a set time, the team in possession becomes the defending team and vice versa.

Key Objectives & Focus Areas

• The tight spaces are deliberately reduced to emphasize:

  • Body orientation

  • Information processing

  • First touch & ball control

  • Passing quality & delivery

  • Movement coordination & positional adjustments

• For the pressing defenders:

  • In the high grid: Coordinated pressing, covering each other, aggressive pressing on the sides to force mistakes centrally.

  • In the lower grid: Adjusting based on ball position, blocking passing lanes, and maintaining compactness.

Coaching Staff & Club

🔹 Club: Strasbourg Koenigshoffen
🔹 Head Coach: Papa Malickou Diakhate [@PMDiakhate]
🔹 Assistant Coach & Analyst: Rémi Dendani [@rmdendani]

This drill is a pure technical exercise, challenging both possession teams and defenders to develop cognitive speed, positioning, and execution under pressure.