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Pressing triggers
A three-part session which develops players’ awareness around out-of-possession pressing triggers. Session structure: Practice 1, Practice 2, Small-sided game
Practice 1
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.
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Players are divided into four equal lines and divided as shown
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The player in possession passes to the player to their right or left
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The player not receiving the ball must close down the receiving player
Practice 2
WHY USE IT
This practice encourages defenders to coordinate their pressing and screening/sliding efforts.
Set-up
Mark out an area relative to the age, ability and number of your players. Divide the area into two equal squares with a narrow channel in between. Divide players into three equal teams.
HOW TO play
One team starts in each half, with the third team (defenders) starting in the middle channel. One team starts with the ball and aim to make five successful passes before transferring to the team in the other half. The defending team can send two players into the area to try and win possession, with the remaining defenders staying in the central channel to block through balls.
ADAPTATIONS & progressions
Progress so as teams can make any number of passes before transferring possession. Every three passes, the defence can send an additional player into the area to press.
COACHING POINTS
Can the defenders use their body shape to force attacking play into a particular area? Can those waiting to press read the triggers for the switch of play, so they can be pressing the receiving team on their first touch?
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Players are in three equal teams. There is one team in each half, with the third team in the middle channel
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The team that starts with the ball aims to make five passes before transferring to the team in the other half
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Two defenders from the middle team press, while the others block through balls
Small-sided game
WHY USE IT
This small-sided game challenges players to win the ball back in specific areas of the pitch, and rewards doing so.
Set-up
Mark out an area relative to the age, ability and number of your players. Divide players into two equal teams and divide the pitch into equal thirds.
HOW TO play
Play a normal small-sided game, with goalkeepers. Select a third for each team in which, if they win possession back, they earn three points. You can change their focus third during the game to see how this alters mindsets and strategies.
COACHING POINTS
Remind players of the triggers related to body shape (shoulders and hips) which will indicate where the next pass is intended. Can players use other triggers to press eg a poor touch, a slow pass or a backwards pass?
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Play a normal small-sided game with goalkeepers
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Select a third for each team in which, if they win possession. back, they earn three points
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Change the third focus during the game to see the effect this has
Women's Soccer Coaching
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