Practice 2: Press and counter-press

WHY USE IT

Develops players’ ability to use ball-side compactness, screening and squeezing to prevent opponents from penetrating centrally, with a further focus on winning, and retaining, possession, and finishing.

 

Set-up

Mark out an area relative to the age, ability and number of your players. Place a mini goal at each end. 

 

Divide players into two teams of six. One team has one player starting on the outside of each touchline, so centrally it’s a 6v4.

 

HOW TO play

The in-possession team has six players inside the area and seeks to play five consecutive passes for a point. 

 

The out-of-possession team has four players within the area trying to win the ball and score a goal for a point.

 

Two of their players can then switch with the two resting players on the outside. Play two balls (each ending if a goal is scored or the ball goes out of play), then switch team roles.

progressions & ADAPTATIONS

• Make the game directional, where the resting players become targets on the ends and the in-possession team must work the ball from one target to the other for a point.

 

COACHING POINTS

• Use pitch geography to squeeze.
• When non-directional, intensity is more important than direction.
• Pressing priorities: stop the most dangerous ball; support the squeeze; slide into defensive organisation
• Recognise numbers to squeeze (communication from behind).
• In-possession team to counter-press and prevent a goal being scored.