Football/Soccer Session (Academy Sessions): Pressing (9v9)
Penn Fusion Soccer Academy
James Morris
See the guidance at the top of this page to understand why you are not seeing interactive Football/Soccer images.
See the guidance at the top of this page to understand why you are not seeing interactive Football/Soccer images.
20 mins
Pressing Rondo
Area split into 3 zones: end zones 20x20 middle zone 8x20 (Adjust to skill set of group).
Split the group into 3 teams - two groups of 5 and one group of 4.
The group of 4 will be the defensive / pressing team to start.
Rotate teams after 3-4 minutes.
Keep Score!
The coach will feed the ball into one of the two team of 5 who look to connect 3-5 passes (based upon the level of the group) before switching the ball to the opposite team of 5 to score a point. The opposite team of 5 now look to achieve the same thing.
The defending team press the opposition with 2 players and look to win the ball back as quickly as possible. The other 2 defenders must remain in the central zone and look to stay connected to the press to screen any passes that the opposition look to play through.
Upon winning the ball back the defending team look to finish in either of the two mini goals. The team that lost possession can counter press to win the ball back.
See the guidance at the top of this page to understand why you are not seeing interactive Football/Soccer images.
20 mins
Game Situation
7v5 Build vs Press
- Pressing team (reds) scores 1 point per disruption, 3 for a goal.
- Build out team scores 1 point per goal on small goals.
- GK, Back 2, midfield 3, and a FWD are building out.
- Front 3 + midfield 2 are defending.
- Balls can start with coach at half-line serving or goal kicks.
- Rotate in extra players to keep players fresh in the press - switch roles after 7-8 minutes.
- Keep the score!!
Objectives
- Press with high intensity
- Make the space as small as possible (take away passing lanes whilst pressing the ball and looking to dictate play and set traps)
- Win the ball back or force opposition mistakes.
Coaching Points
- Forward / Striker sets the tone of the press and forces the build to one side, don't allow the defenders to play together!
- Can the wide players force opposition attacks inside?
- Midfielders get tight enough to win the ball on the flight of the ball or force the opposition backwards.
- If late and unable to challenge for the ball, use proper technique with small steps to adjust and cover the largest lane possible, forcing to teammate.
- Read and identify the most dangerous space as the second defender and communicate to teammate closing down the player in possession.
See the guidance at the top of this page to understand why you are not seeing interactive Football/Soccer images.
25 mins
Conditioned Game
Normal game 5v5 + GK's in 2-3 formation, when a team loses the ball encourage them to win ball back quickly.
Target players can be used next to the goals to allow quick transitions when the press is not effective or during transitions.
Team gain 3 points for winning ball in attacking third and scoring.
2 points for winning ball in middle third and scoring.
1 point for winning ball in defensive third and scoring.
Encourage intense pressing to win ball back in the attacking 3rd when possible.
Coaching Points
- Immediate reaction to the flight of the ball (pass from the GK).
- Keep lines connected in the within the press.
- Angle and speed of the press to dictate play.
- Role of the 1st, 2nd and 3rd defender.
- What is our reaction to when we lose possession?
Play animation
Play step-by-step
Repeat (toggle)
Full Screen
Pause
Stop
10 mins
Warm Up Phase
This is a quick possession / high pressure game played in a 25x25 area (adapt for level of players). Each team have a ball each to start, they look to move around the grid keeping possession with their color. On the coaches command the color that he calls out look to score on any of the 4 goals around the area. The other 2 teams leave their ball and begin to press quickly in order to stop the team in possession from scoring.
1 point for each goal score by the possession team.
The pressing teams score each time play is disrupted or the ball goes out of play.
Progression
Coaching Points