Football/Soccer Session (Academy Sessions): Pressing

Screen 1

Pressing Session Description

Set-Up

·       The field is divided into three vertical zones with white lines marking the central lanes.

·       Red begins in possession on one half of the field.

·       Yellow plays as the receiving/connecting team.

·       Blue is the pressing team.

·       One yellow forward is locked to the white line, moving only laterally to find pockets to receive.

How It Works

1. Phase 1 – Build & Trigger

·       Red starts with the ball and must play forward into a yellow player.

·       As soon as the ball is played in from a coach, blue begins pressing.

2. Yellow Forward Movement

·       The central yellow player stays on the white line, sliding side to side to create a passing lane.

·       Red’s goal: connect to yellow, then progress.

3. Blue Pressing Structure

Central Pressers (3 Blue Players):

·       These three can move into the central blue vertical line (the middle channel).

·       Their job is to create a compact vertical press:

o   One steps to mark the yellow receiving forward.

o   The other two position themselves in passing lanes to block the next action.

Wide Yellow Option:

·       When yellow drops a player into the wide space (in front of the blue central line),

o   One blue player can follow to pressure/mark,

o   While the remaining two maintain lane blocking and cover.

4. Red-Side Blue Pressers (2 Blue Players)

·       The other two blue players press aggressively into the red half, cutting off red’s escape options.

·       Their job:

o   Hunt the ball back

o   Close down receivers

o   Force Red to play into traffic, where Blue has numerical advantage.

5. Interchanges & Freedom of Movement

·       Players within each team can interchange roles/positions, creating fluidity and forcing the pressing team to constantly readjust.

·       The main structure remains:

o   3 blue in central line

o   2 blue pressing high

o   Yellow forward locked to the line

o   One yellow free to step into wide space

6. Repeat to the Opposite Side

·       After the action finishes (blue wins ball, ball goes out, or red escapes), reset and repeat the same pattern mirrored on the other side of the pitch.

Coaching Points

For Blue (Pressing Team):

·       Press on the pass, not after the touch.

·       Compact vertical distances three in the central line must stay connected.

·       First defender engages, second and third defenders block lanes.

·       Recognize trigger to step wide when yellow enters the wide space.

·       High two must cut red's backward passing options.

For Red/Yellow (Possessing Team):

·       Use the locked yellow forward to bounce or switch.

·       Move early to open passing windows before pressure arrives.

·       When the wide yellow drops, look for quick combinations around the blue front line.