In this session, we will coach our forwards and centre midfielders to press high a team that that builds up from the back. I have done this session with U12s, but it can definitely be adapted to older age groups.
Session’s objectives
- Encourage a team to press high and regain possession early
- Develop confidence and bravery out of possession
- Demonstrate the importance of playing at high intensity
- Encourage team work
Coaching points
On the ball:
- Identify and react to pressing triggers
- When pressing, runs MUST be at 100% pace
- Body shape to show the player wide
Around the ball:
- Mark players directly around the ball carrier to block short passes
Away from the ball:
- Get closer to the your teammates to restrict space
- Anticipate long balls/switch of play
Practice 1: Possession game
Organisation:
Pitch size depending on numbers and abilities. Increase the size if players find it too easy.
4v4+4 – 2 target players outside the pitch at opposite ends and 2 jokers in the middle playing with the team in possession. Target players can be pressed.
Rules:
Team in possession try to pass the ball from one target player to the other without being intercepted.
Team in possession can use both jokers.
All passes must be on the ground.
Target players can’t pass the ball to each other.
Scoring system:
In possession: 1 point for linking up both target players in a same possession phase.
Out of possession: 1 point for winning possession and passing the ball to a target player before the other team can either make 3 passes or link up the target players.
Coaching points:
- When to press? On any of the pressing triggers (soft pass, back-pass, poor first touch…), on the time of the pass to be as close as possible to the receiver on his first touch
- How to press? At full pace, slow down just before the receiver’s first touch, body shape to force the player into one direction
- How to support? Quick support, anticipate next pass based on teammate’s body shape, compress the area around the ball to block short passes
Practice 2: 5v5 directional game
Organisation:
A pitch 40x30m split in 2 halves
5v5+2
Rules:
Directional game – Team in possession scores by passing the ball to the target player defended by the other team (here, reds attack from left to right).
Team in possession can only score by passing from inside the target player’s half.
Target players can be pressed and tackled.
No offsides but all passes must be on the ground.
Scoring system:
Team in possession:
1 point for a pass to the target player
Team out of possession:
1 point for winning the ball in the target player’s feet
2 points for winning the ball in the other team’s half and completing a pass to their target player or making 3 passes
Coaching points:
- Know when to press – Identify pressing triggers. If the situation doesn’t allow press, hold positions to prevent forward play
- Press at pace – High intensity to close the receiver down as quickly as possible
- Force wide play – Body shape to force the opponent wide, curved runs to block central passes
- Quick support – React quickly to teammates movements to overload the area around the ball and restrict space to the ball carrier
- Balance – Player on the weak side tuck in to maintain compactness
Situations to coach:
Here are a few situations likely to happen during the game, which can give the opportunity for the coach to intervene and reinforce the coaching points.
- Ball in target player’s feet
#9: Do not press the target player unless you have close support to block short passes options. It is too easy here for the target player to pass the player even under pressure. Instead, wait for him to make a decision, and press on the time of the pass.
- Pass to the centre-back
#9: Curve your run to prevent switch of play and force the CB to play wide
- Winger drops to support CB
#11: Quick support when the CB is forced to play wide, mark your man to prevent short pass
- Cover
#8: Cover your teammates, block the space between #10 and #11 to prevent through ball and overload the area
- Balance
#7: On the weak side, tuck in to maintain compactness and anticipate a long ball
The team should be able to create the below situation:
Practice 3: Phase of play
Organisation:
Half a pitch
One goal and 3 gates
5v6+GK
Rules:
Red Team defends the goal and score by dribbling through one of the 3 gates
Blue Team tries to win the ball and score
Every time the ball goes off the pitch, the play restarts from the GK with a goal kick
Scoring system:
Red Team
1 point for dribbling through an orange gate
3 points for dribbling through the red gate
1 point every 5 passes completed
Blue Team
1 point for a goal
3 points for scoring a goal after regaining possession before the Red Team has completed 5 passes
Coaching points:
- Triggers – Identify the triggers and react quickly
- Force wide play – Isolate the ball carrier to restrict his options with the ball
- Compactness – The whole team must press together to remain compact and prevent play through the central channel
- Intensity and aggression – When the pressing is engaged, players around the ball must press at full pace and challenge the opponents with aggression
