David Kelly is currently assistant coach with the Central Connecticut State University men’s soccer program. Prior to CCSU he spent two seasons as an assistant at Southern Connecticut State University as well as six seasons at the University of Hartford.
Kelly also currently serves as the head coach of the Connecticut Football Club – AZUL, which plays in the Premier Development League. He is a staff instructor for the Connecticut State Coaching Education Program. He was also a former head coach with the US Olympic Development Program.
Kelly played 10 years of professional soccer. He spent nine years in the A-League (now the USL Division I) and one season in the National Professional Soccer League, while also making reserve appearances for both Carlisle United and Burnley in England. During his time in the A-League, Kelly was also an Assistant coach with the Connecticut Wolves.
He holds “A,” and “National Youth” coaching licenses from the United States Soccer Federation and the “Advanced National Diploma” from the National Soccer Coaches Association.
Regaining possession quickly and successfully requires a structured strategy within the team playing style; simply running to ‘press’ an opponent in a random / chaotic manner will have minimal success over the course of a game.
‘Counter-Pressing’ if used effectively (especially in advanced areas of the pitch) can result in turnovers quickly while the opponent is disorganized leading to the possibility of goal-scoring chances.
The following is a full session with progressions to develop an understanding of the fundamentals of ‘Counter-Pressing’
Activity 1:
Set up:
15 players organised in three teams of five as shown.
Instructions:
BALL POSSESSION – EMPHASIS ON COUNTER-PRESSING:
Two teams play together versus the 3rd team – When possession is lost to the defending team, the team responsible for the loss of possession must press the ball immediately to attempt to regain it, while the two attacking teams look to secure possession and open the game up. In this example, Player (A) has intercepted a pass from the Red team; Red has given the ball away and must immediately press as a team to win it back.
Time 3×3 minutes
Coaching Points:
- On transition to Defence – immediate pressure on ball and support players immediately close the space to deny passing options.
- Teams in possession: Quick movement and ball circulation – 1 + 2-touch play
Activity 2:
Set up:
A 10v7 is organised as follows: 10 (4-2-3-1) v 7 (1-2-3-1) Back-4 (Yellow) and Red play together.
Instructions:
TACTICAL GAME – COUNTER-PRESS DEVELOPMENT:
Ball starts with the Coach (C) each time with a pass to any of the Back-4. Red + Yellow (10 players) must attempt to create goalscoring opportunities. Red may not pass back to Yellow. If possession is lost, Yellow an Red counterpress immediately. Black team counters by trying to get the ball (with pass or a dribble) in possession into the end zone.
If possession is regained by the Yellow/Red team, they must counter to the goal, or keep possession and open the game up, with no restriction on touches until the next repetition.
1 x 12-15 minutes
Coaching Points:
- Yellow can move forward across the halfway line to press, closing off passing lanes, and cutting out the pass to the forward.
- Immediate pressure on the ball
Progression 1:
Set up:
An 11v7 is organised as follows: 11 (1-4-2-3-1) v 7 (1-2-3-1) Back-4 (Yellow) and Red play together.
Instructions:
TACTICAL GAME – COUNTER-PRESS DEVELOPMENT:
Add Goalkeeper and fullsized goal. Ball starts with the Goalkeeper (A) each time with a pass to any of the Yellow Back-4. Red + Yellow must attempt to create goalscoring opportunities through quick ball circulation and movement. Red may not pass back to Yellow. If possession is lost, Yellow and Red counterpress immediately – in the Diagram, the Right Fullback (Yellow) has sprinted forward to apply pressure on the ball while teammates close other options.
1 x 10-12 minutes
Coaching Points:
- Yellow can move forward across the halfway line to press, closing off passing lanes, and cutting out the pass to the forward
- Immediate pressure on the ball
- Addition of the Goal increases the demand to Press immediately to deny any shooting opportunities
Progression 2:
Set up:
An 11v8 is organised as follows: 11 (1-4-2-3-1) v 8 (1-3-3-1) Back-4 (Yellow) and Red play together.
Instructions:
TACTICAL GAME – COUNTER-PRESS DEVELOPMENT:
Add third Defender for Black team. Ball starts with the Goalkeeper (A) each time with a pass to any of the Yellow Back-4. Red + Yellow must attempt to create goal scoring opportunities through quick ball circulation and movement. Red may not pass back to Yellow. If possession is lost, Yellow and Red counterpress immediately.
1 x 10-12 minutes
Coaching Points:
- Yellow can move forward across the halfway line to press, closing off passing lanes, and cutting out the pass to the forward.
- Immediate pressure on the ball
- Third Defender introduction forces the lone Striker to Press and steer the ball to areas of the pitch to force turnovers
Progression 3:
An 11v8 is organised as follows: 11 (1-4-2-3-1) v 8 (1-3-3-1) Back-4 (Yellow) and Red play together.
Instructions:
TACTICAL GAME – COUNTER-PRESS DEVELOPMENT:
Goalkeeper now acts as a passing Target (T) for Black Team.
Ball starts with the Goalkeeper (A) each time with a pass to any of the Yellow Back-4. Red + Yellow must attempt to create goalscoring opportunities through quick ball circulation and movement. Red may not pass back to Yellow. If possession is lost, Yellow and Red counterpress immediately.
1 x 10-12 minutes
Coaching Points:
- Yellow can move forward across the halfway line to press, closing off passing lanes, and cutting out the pass to the forward.
- Immediate pressure on the ball
- Black team can score by playing long-balls to the Target (T) – therefore immediate pressure must be applied to prevent this
Final Game:
Set up:
An 11v11 is organised.
Instructions:
TACTICAL GAME – COUNTER-PRESS DEVELOPMENT:
Ball starts with the Goalkeeper (A) each time. If possession is lost, Yellow and Red counterpress immediately.
*Coach can introduce a second ball into play to give the pressing team more repetition – defending team must react and press the new ball.
1 x 10-12 minutes
Coaching Points:
- All previous coaching points to be reinforced
- If the pressing team has pressure broken, they must drop back and get their shape in behind the ball
- If the pressing team can’t effectively pressure the ball, the Back-4 must adjust by dropping to prevent the ball in behind them
- When the pressing team regains possession but can’t go to goal, they must secure possession and open the game up