Football/Soccer Session (Academy Sessions): Pressing principles

Pressing practice (15 mins)

Focus + Session design

• Possession practice with an emphasis on pressing and reactive pressure on transition
• 5v5(+3) 
• 40 x 26 yard pitch with 8 mini goals positioned as seen in image - 8 yards off the pitch area
• Possession team to make 10 passes before being able to score
• Defending team to hunt the ball collectively and if they regain can score straight away
• 2 min games - 1min rest - high intensity
• First set of games, 1 team set as possession and 1 as hunters

Coaching detail

• In possession stretch the pitch, be patient, hold and appreciate the space
• Look to draw opposition in whilst maintaining ability to play away from pressure, through a longer pass or combinations
• Awareness is key
• On turn-over, immediate pressure to the ball to close the net and suffocate the space around the ball

• Out of possession, move together, engage the ball carrier and make contact. Get his head down. 
• Secondary defenders predict and effect the next pass. 
• Hunt the ball, have desire to win it. Put the work in. 
• On turnover, can we exploit the oppositions open shape quickly to score in a mini goal and play away from pressure

Progressions/Regressions

• Progression 1 - Hunting team must find a neutral player with a pass on regain before scoring
• Progression 2 - If you regain, you become possession team and have to make 8 passes to score. This focuses on team going form out to in and opening and stretching the pitch

Pressing SSG (20 mins)

Focus + Session design

• 6v6(+3)
• Possession team to make set amount of passes in their half before transferring over to opposition half
• Pressing team to win the ball and score

Coaching detail

• Pressing angles
• Going together
• Stopping the switch
• Transition