Busquets Breakdown: Coaching the Pivot with 3 Free Training Drills

“You watch the game, you don’t see Busquets. You watch Busquets, you see the whole game.” — Vicente del Bosque

There are players who define eras, and then there are players who refine them. Sergio Busquets belongs in that second category — a footballer who quietly elevated the most understated role on the pitch into one of the most complex and valuable positions in the modern game.

As Busquets closes the final chapter of his career, this week’s Modern Soccer Coach Breakdown looks at how he changed football — not through power, pace, or goals, but through intelligence, timing, and total control of space. You can watch the full breakdown below, plus 3 exercises

Exercise 1: 5v2 Transfer Rondo

Seven players are organized into three teams of two players each and one neutral player. The playing area is two 10x10x10 yard triangles, with a 5-yard median in the middle. Two teams organize themselves on each side of the triangles, with one neutral in the middle (in yellow). The defending pair positioned themselves in the middle of each triangle. The objective of the game is to use the neutral player to create two 3v1 pictures and transfer the ball between each triangle. After six consecutive passes in one triangle, the ball can be transferred through the neutral player, who must scan and find the free player on the other side. Each player is limited to two touches. If either defenders win the ball, the game simply restarts from a coach service into the other triangle. Play 9x2 minute games and continually switch the roles of the team.

Exercise 2: 8v6 Beat The Press

The exercise takes place in a 30x30 yard area with two 5-yard End Zones. Fourteen players are used in total. The possession team (in red) are set-up with a back four and one holding midfielder (#6) in the central zone, plus two attacking midfielders in the End Zone. The defensive team (in blue) are set-up with a five pressing players in the central zone and one defensive midfielder in the End Zone.

The objective of the game is for the possession team to transfer the ball from the goalkeeper into their attacking midfielders (#8 and #10) in the End Zone who can use their 2v1 advantage to score in the mini-goals.

If the defensive team wins the ball, they are looking to score in the other mini-goals immediately.

Exercise 3: 9v5 Build and Unbalance

This exercise takes place in a 25x20 yard area with four mini-goals in the corners. Fourteen players are organized into one possession team of nine players (in red) and one defensive team of five players (in blue).

The possession team (in red) are lookingto circulate possession and transfer it from one half to the other for one point. The defensive team (in blue below) are looking to press and win the ball back immediately. If the defensive team win the ball, they can score in any of the mini-goals for two points. If the defensive team do win possession, the possession team can transition to defend and prevent the goal.

For every successful transfer, the red team are awarded one point. The possession players on the outside are limited to two touches.