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.