Practice 2: Aggressive pressing

WHY USE IT

This exercise is position-specific and can be adapted to train high pressing in any system. Players transfer the concepts from Practice 1 into a phase of play.

 

Set-up

Set up three mini goals across the halfway line as targets for the attackers. 

Put a supply of balls in the goal and with the coach.

 

HOW TO play

Play begins with a goal-kick. The attacking team’s objective is to score in the mini goals or to dribble over the halfway line. 

The defending team’s objective is to press high, win possession and score.

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progressions

Vary the starting point of the exercise. Begin with a throw-in or the coach can play a deep pass in behind the defence to simulate a turnover from the Reds.

 

COACHING POINTS

Defending team (Reds)

• Establish starting point to press: who, when, where and how. Yellow attackers are set-up in a 1-4-3-3 (three forwards omitted) and the Red pressing team in a 1-4-4-2 (goalkeeper and back four omitted).
• Starting positions of the two strikers are directly in front of the centre-backs, to make a straight run once the first pass is played.
• As pressing team is underloaded, players must be prepared to press at least two players. Here, the right-sided striker must press the left centre-back and the left full-back, who is in a low starting position, making the distance too far for the right midfielder to press. The left-sided striker comes over to be in position to cut off the pass to the right centre-back, and press the goalkeeper or the left centre-back if the full-back plays a return pass.
• Four midfielders are positioned far enough from their direct opponent to give impression they can receive a pass, but close enough to press the receiver’s first touch or prevent a turn. They must also be prepared to sprint across to press a second attacker.
• If the attacking team breaks the press, the Reds must drop to cover the mini goals or prevent a dribble over the halfway line.
• Counter-attack directly following transition. Show awareness to play penetrating passes and finish effectively.

Attacking team (Yellows)

• Quality of pass: Appropriate weight, accuracy and ball speed
• Open body position, scanning and awareness of pressing players
• Find spare player. Use goalkeeper to switch play and utilize numerical superiority.
• Create space by coming short to make deep runs in behind or long to come short
• Be prepared for the transition to defence – anticipate the turnover, close the space and cut off forward passing lanes. Win possession as quickly as possible or drop into a low block to protect the goal.