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Coaches Hub

Practices and articles to help you coach the game.

Wimborne · Poole · Bournemouth

PracticesArticles
All practicesIn PossessionOut of PossessionTransition
Topic:AllPressingSwitching Play

Out of Possession · Pressing

Pressing Practice

Aim

To understand when to press, who presses, and how to press the next pass, while staying connected as a unit.

Numbers

  • Teams can be matched or overloaded.

How it works

  • The in-possession team works around the outside of the square.
  • To unlock a shooting opportunity, they must complete either 6 passes or 2 passes through the square.
  • For added realism, once the 6th pass or 2nd pass through the square is completed, the in-possession team may only score in the goals in the opposite half.
  • The in-possession team may not enter the square unless they've lost the ball and are trying to win it back.
  • The pressing team are allowed to leave the square.

Pressing team's decisions

  • When to press and who presses the ball.
  • Everyone else must decide their role: press the next pass, screen passing lanes, cover, etc.

Transitions

  • If the pressing team wins the ball, they can attack any goal immediately.
  • The team that lost possession must then counter-press to win it back.
  • If they win it back, play continues.

Progressions

  • Give the in-possession team an extra player so the pressing team is overloaded.
  • Make the playing area larger.

Regressions

  • Match the numbers, or give the pressing team an extra player.
  • Make the playing area smaller.

Videos

Video 1: In-possession team complete 6 or more passes and scores
Video 2: In-possession team completes 2 passes through the square and scores
Video 3: Successful press and score

In Possession · Switching Play

Switching Play Practice

Aim

To create a shape that allows the ball to be moved quickly from one side of the playing area to the other.

Numbers

  • 4v4, with a 2v2 in the middle. Can also be played with higher numbers.
  • If numbers are odd, use neutral players for the in-possession team.

How it works

  • 2 players from each team are positioned on the outside, opposite each other on different sides of the pitch.
  • The aim is to get the ball from one side to the other.
  • The outside players can move along their line and act as bounce players for their team.
  • A point is scored each time the ball is successfully played from one side to the other.

Transitions

  • If the opposing team wins the ball, they must switch it from their player on one side to their player on the other.

Progressions

  • Overload one team.

Videos

Video 1: Switching play from one side of the playing area to the other