This practice focuses on defending with the outnumbered teams instructed to press furiously for a limited amount of time. The session is an excellent practice for physical conditioning and determination.

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About the Video

In the video below, Dave will talk you through the structure of the practice, various outcomes and how you can adapt it for your players.

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Practice Overview

Topic: Defending (Pressing)

No. of Players: 8 – 16

Goalkeepers: Yes

Practice Type: Small Sided Game

Offsides: No

Age Group: U13+

Pitch Size: 30 x 30

Timing: 15 mins

Interpreting the Diagrams

The key below outlines what the images mean on the diagrams.

If you have questions about the practices, contact the PDP Team or share your views on the PDP Coaching Community.

Key For Diagrams
soccer training diagram

Diagrams

Set up a small pitch of around 30 x 30 (or smaller). Teams play 6v3+2 GKs with blues trying to keep possession and reds trying to press and score as many times as they can within 90 seconds (or the allocated time).
Blue team aim to keep the ball 6v3 or 6v3+2 for as long as possible. Reds are trying to press to win the ball back quickly and score.
This example shows reds successfully locking on player to player and preventing a forward pass. This aggression has created a 3v3 (or 3v4 if GKs are in play) and presents an opportunity to successfully press.
This example shows blues trying to keep the ball but reds successfully jumping out to secure the ball and create a goal scoring chance.
After successfully pressing as a group of 3, the reds score. From here, blues get the ball back and aim to keep it again while reds press. Rotate players around into various roles at the end of each timed set.

Objectives

This practice focuses on defending with the outnumbered teams instructed to press furiously for a limited amount of time. The session is an excellent practice for physical conditioning and determination.

Organisation

Set up a small pitch with two goals and two goalkeepers. Be mindful of the distances, best to start small and make it bigger if need be. Players are set up in groups of 3-4 so a total of 9-12 players plus two goal keepers is ideal. The defending team press for a set period – e.g. 90 seconds and score as many goals as possible. The attacking team keep possession. Attackers can be restricted to 2 or 3 touches and it’s up to the coach whether the attackers can use the goalkeepers.

Observations & Interventions

What you might see

  • Players taking too many touches (slow ball speed)
  • Player’s fatiguing

Actions you might take

  • Restrict players to 1, 2 or 3 touch depending on their ability
  • Manage the timing of sets and size of the area

Adaptations:

Is the session too easy?

  • Add an extra player in possession
  • Allow GKs to play with outfielders

Is the session too hard?

  • Don’t allow GKs to play with outfielders
  • Reduce the space or restrict team in possession

Would you like to know more about planning sessions?

You might be interested in our foundations of session design course created by UEFA A Licensed Coaches, Dave Wright and Dan Wright. They will teach you everything you need to know about designing world-class sessions that your players will love. PDP Members get 40% off all courses.

Foundations of Session Design
Dave Wright
Dave Wright Dave is a UEFA A licensed football coach and Co-Founder of Player Development Project. He has 19 years’ coaching experience in England, Australia and New Zealand with players at all levels. During five years in the UK, Dave worked for Fulham FC and Brentford FC. On his return down under, he coached at A-League club, Melbourne Victory FC with the U20's. More recently Dave has worked as an Athlete Development Consultant at High Performance Sport New Zealand & supported NZ Football with their U17 program. Dave’s eBook, Performance Soccer Coach: A Guide to Positive Player Development is available on Amazon.
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