Front-foot defending

PRESSING ACTIVATION

We set up on the edge of the box to encourage high pressing.

The idea here is to develop individual pressing actions. Red 2 initiates the game with a short burst of speed to “touch” the mannequin. The blue 6 on the ball passes to 9 and 9 to 7. These passes should be two-touch (control and pass) with the red 2 pressing each pass [1a].

When the ball lands with blue 7, then it becomes a 2v1, with blue 9 and 7 against red 2. The blues look to score in the mini goals [1b].

We are looking for fast, aggressive pressing as well as double-pressing (ie pressing more than once in one action), plus body orientation and closing off passing lanes, and shadow defending by blocking receivers in pressing actions.

We run this for four reps of four minutes, with a one-minute break in between sets.

[1a]

1. Red 2 initiates the game with a short burst of speed to “touch” the mannequin

2. The blue 6 on the ball passes to 9 and 9 to 7

3. These passes should be two-touch (control and pass) with the red 2 pressing each pass

[1b]

1. When the ball lands with blue 7, then it becomes a 2v1, with blue 9 and 7 against red 2

2. The blues look to score in the mini goals

POSSESSION WITH PRESSING

We set up in a space at the coach’s discretion; it can happen anywhere from the central zone to higher up in the opposition half.

The idea behind this activity is to bring it closer to game-like moments and creating game situations. It is an 8v4 (blue v red) possession game. We are taking the dual approach of possession and pressing, with pressing as our priority. The blue team keeps possession, and with every ten passes they win one point. The red team starts outside the playing zone, and once the ball is live from the coach, then they start their press [2a]. 

[2a]

1. Coach puts ball live

2. Reds move into playing area and begin to press

3. Blues get one point for every ten passes completed

When the red team win possession, they score in the mini goals [2b]. When the reds win the ball and score, they swap out and another set of four players press.

Teams receive two points for a one-touch finish, playing out of the pressure area, and one point for a normal goal.

We are looking for unit cohesion and communication, working together and coaching each other. We want good organisation and position, plus immediate reactions to force mistakes and delay the offensive actions. Players should be pressing to score, and playing out of pressure.

We run this for five sets of three minutes, with a one-minute break between reps. 

The progression to this session becomes more team tactical structure-based, focusing on our positioning, identifying pressing moments and recreating game like situations. This means instead of probably starting with individual actions, we will start with pair and group pressing.

[2b]

1. When the red team win possession, they score in the mini goals

DIRECTIONAL TACTICAL GAME

We set up on a half pitch, 30-40x50-60yds, in a 9v9 with two full size goals, two mini goals, and goalkeepers. The team in possession looks to start the ball from the back while the other presses them high, blocking off the central zone and forcing them wide. Each team defends the two mini goals and central gates (with mannequins).

The first phase is looking to score in the mini goals [3a], then passing through the gates created by the mini goals to find a team-mate [3b], then seeking to score in the full size goal [3c].

Points are awarded as follows: initiating build-up and scoring in mini goals, one point; passing through the gates and finding a team-mate, one point; scoring in the full size goals, one point.

We are looking for awareness and good timing for identifying the moments to press, effective communication, directional pressing, and scoring goals.

We run this for two reps of eight minutes with a break in between.

[3a]

1. Reds build up from the back

2. Blues press
3. Reds look to score in mini goals in first instance

[3b]

1. Red now looks to go through the “gates” and pass to a team-mate

2. Blues press

[3c]

1. Red looks to score in full size goal against goalkeeper

2. Blues press

coaching points

What are the key things to look out for?

There are two main components, physical and mental. We look for the desire from the player to do it. Cognitively we look for strategies players have to press, timing and identifying pressing moments. Technically we are looking for body posture/orientation to block receivers and passing lanes.

What are the typical mistakes players might make and how do I avoid them?

The session has high physical and mental demands, players struggle to maintain high physical demands to press and repress. In some moments they are required to double-press and that demands high mental strength.