Football/Soccer Session (Advanced): U17 Pressing

Screen 1

16/18 players

11v11 Matrix league

1 set of 4 pinnes

 20 balls

Cones to mark off box

4 cones for dynamic warm up

Warm Up

- 30 x 20

- 6v3 Rondo

- 8-10 mins

- Dynamic warm up: 3-4 mins

Screen 3

• This practice is split into two distinct halves, with six players on the in-possession team (Team B) and three pressing players on the out-of-possession team (Team A). Four members of Team B are stationed around the outside of the playing area: one at each end and one on each side

.• In each half, two defenders (Team A) and four ‘in-possession players’ (Team B) are permitted, including three players on the outside of the playing area: two out wide and one deeper, playing on the practice’s end-line (an ‘end player’).

• In a 4v2 situation, Team B must attempt to transfer the ball from one half of the grid to the other. Crucially, the wide players are unable to play the final pass to the team-mate in the other half or the opposite ‘end player’.

• When the ball is transferred, the wide-players move with the ball to play the same role in the other half, while one defender moves over as well, creating a new 4v2, as shown in diagram one

.• The aim of the game for the pressing players is to steal possession and run the ball over the end-line in the half in which the ball is won. Focus is placed on the pressing pair’s ability to prevent transfers of possession, steal the ball and counter-attack effectively

.• If the pressing players win possession, the wide players are permitted to enter the grid in order to try and stop them reaching the end line