Football/Soccer Session (Academy Sessions): Pressing unit Game

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Format:  Use the whole width of a full sized pitch roughly 60 yards x 40 yards with the pitch split into thirds to act as reference points for each unit. Two goalkeepers have a marked area they cannot come out. To score the team in possession have to play into the goalkeeper who catches the ball successfully.

Key Points: 

Reaction on Transition: As soon as the team in possession lose the ball, there should be a direct focus on regaining the ball as quickly as possible. The aim of this practice was to recover the ball in 6 seconds. This is a team effort to press with intensity by all working as one to close down the opposition. The team must work together to close gaps between the units on the transition to make it hard for the team in possession to play out and break the press. The nearest person should press the ball and the other players react from this to support and cover.

Angle of Approach: When pressing it’s important the angle of approach forces the player in possession one way. This means an angled run to close down cutting off passing lanes. This approach should force them to the touch line or inside into where the defending team have a superiority of numbers. 

Support & Cover: After the nearest player has pressed, the other players must react accordingly. This means supporting this player by covering with some depth ready to tackle or intercept. Whole units must slide across the pitch or squeeze up to reduce the space to play in locking onto opponents to force errors or play longer balls that favour the defensive unit. Good communication is needed here to help players and units be organised with information. For example the defensive unit telling the midfield unit to slide across, move right, move left to block passing lanes.

Securing Possession: When regaining the ball, the team must play with composure and try to put some passes together to gain control. Being aware of what is around them when pressing will help the player make the first pass on the regain.