Practice 1: Pressing as a team

WHY USE IT

This session works on matchday preparation for when the team is out-of-possession.

SET-UP

Set up 11v11 (we have shown Blues v Reds in our illustration) on a full-size pitch.

Place a pole on either touchline, midway between the top of the centre circle and the D - this denotes the line of press for the Blue team.

Brief the Blues to play with a counter- attacking intent - they should attempt to score as quickly as possible on regain of possession.

Place a number of balls next to the Reds’ goal and on either side of the halfway line.

HOW TO DO IT

Blues (out of possession) set-up in a 4-4-2 against the Reds (the opposition), who initially set-up in a 4-3-3 with one midfield pivot. Play will always restart with the Reds’ goalkeeper unless the ball goes out for a throw-in for the Blues.

Set the Blues a problem - the Reds’ wide forward has taken a position outside the full-back in possession, in an attempt to receive against the touchline.

COACHING POINTS

Blues’ number 11 forces the full-back to play a line-pass, taking up a defensive shape that blocks a pass into the near-side advanced midfield player.

Blues’ number 9 moves into a position between the opposition defensive and midfield lines, threatening the pass back to the near-side centre-back.

The Blues’ number 3 must protect the outside shoulder of number 5; they mustn’t ‘cheat’.

As the ball travels from full-back to wide- player, number 3 must press aggressively, showing the ball-carrier the line and making an attempt to win the ball.

As the Blues’ number 3 travels to press the ball, the number 5 must adjust their position to better prepare to cover the outside channel if number 3 is beaten.

Blues’ number 6 and number 2 must react to moment-to-moment changes in number 5’s positioning.