Aggressive pressing

 

1. Two teams start in their respective areas. The coach plays a ball into one team
2. Two defenders run into the area to try to get the ball out of the area for a point
3. Defenders get three points if they win possession and can switch play to the other team

 

Practice 2

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.

 

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.

 

1. Set up with two teams. The in-possession team (Yellows) start with a goal kick and aim to play out and score in a mini-goal
2. Out-of-possession team (Reds) work together to press high, win possession and score in the main goal

 

Practice 3

Why use it

This activity simulates what can happen if a high press is unsuccessful. Players are committed in advanced positions and the defensive line may be outnumbered and need to drop and delay the attack to allow time for the midfielders to make recovery sprints.

Set up

Place three mannequins 6m from the halfway line; one central and one on each flank. Place three markers 12m from the halfway line in front of the mannequins. 

Have a supply of balls at each mannequin and use an assistant coach to monitor offsides.

 

How to play

The Reds’ right full-back starts with the ball at the wide mannequin. The Yellow attacking midfielder starts at the marker 6m in front of the mannequin.

 

The Red defender passes to the Yellow midfielder and immediately sprints to get goal-side. This creates a temporary 4v3 attacking situation for the Yellows and encourages them to play quickly to exploit the overload and finish the attack.

 

Aim for each action to last no longer than 6-10 seconds and stop once the forward momentum of the attack is halted.

 

The objective is to train the recognition and reaction to an underload situation in defence and the importance of recovery sprints.

 

The coach can act as a target for the Reds once they regain possession. This trains the transition for both teams.

 

Progressions

Change the point of attack to the centre and opposite flank.

 

Coaching points

Defending team (Reds)

• Defend compact and collectively

• Drop when there is no pressure on the ball, step up when there is pressure on the ball

• Protect centre and show to the sidelines

• Mark players close to the ball and mark space further from the ball

• Track and recover to fill space behind ball

• Transition from zonal to player-marking in defensive third

• Transition to attack: Play first pass forward to coach or play back to goalkeeper.

Attacking team (Yellows)

• Play forward as precise as possible and as fast as necessary

• Create as much space as possible to receive

• Take as few touches as possible

• Use space behind opponent before they drop

• Be aggressive and ruthless around the goal

 

1. Set up with two teams
2. Reds’ full-back starts by passing to a Yellow midfielder, before making a recovery run
3. Reds aim to delay the attack to regain a 4v4 situation. If they win possession, they can play to the coach, aim to hit a mannequin or dribble beyond the halfway line