Practice 1: Pressing triggers

WHY USE IT

This practice gets players to start reading triggers about when to press.

Set-up

Mark out an area relative to the age, ability and number of your players.

Divide players into four equal lines with a line each starting at north, south, east and west points of a cross, facing the opposite group.

HOW TO play

Player A starts with the ball and passes to player B. Player C acts as the pressing player to close down player B. Player B passes to player D, with the new player A closing down, and so on.

ADAPTATIONS & progressions

Player A starts with the ball and can now choose to pass to either player B or C. The player (B or C) not receiving the ball then closes down the receiving player. The receiving player can again choose whether to pass left or right, with the non receiving player then closing down - and so on. Players then need to read the triggers to know if they are the next player to press.

COACHING POINTS

Read the triggers. Which way is the passing player’s shoulders and hips facing? This is a clue to where their pass I going. Which way is the current pressing player showing them?

Close down as the ball is travelling so you arrive on the receiver’s first touch. Close down quickly but slow as you approach, stopping arm’s length from the receiver.