Football / Soccer is a game of ‘Transitions’ – teams are constantly moving in/out of possession and therefore attacking or defending. The ‘transition moment’ from defending to attacking can be decisive in creating scoring chances.
By Pressing high up on the pitch – IF your team can win possession the distance to the opponents goal is greatly reduced; also during this transition moment of losing possession the opponent is slightly disorganized for a few seconds. Your team can take advantage of these few seconds by developing the habit of fast transitions to attack!
The following activities teach the roles + responsibilities at the individual + team level of Pressing High; the habit of quick transitions to attack is constantly reinforced through repetition of game realistic scenarios!
Give it a try and, remember, adjust according to the level / ability / age of your players!
1. PRESSING HIGH / TRANSITIONS TO ATTACK
Setup:
Players organised as follows: White Buildup team – Goalkeeper + 2-2-3 / Red Defending Team – 2-3-3. **Red team plays without a Goalkeeper in the full-sized goal + 2 mini-goals.
Instructions:
Play begins each time with a pass from Goalkeeper; this is the ‘cue’ for the Red team to Press. Red team must apply immediate pressure on the ball as well as close passing options and ability for opponent to play long balls.
White team scores by –
- 10 consecutive passes
- Passing into either mini-goal
- Long-ball into full-sized central goal (3 points)
On winning possession, Red team is encouraged to attack immediately – develop the ‘habit’ of being direct to goal! Scoring within 6-seconds = 2 goals.
Play is continuous / change roles after designated time
Coaching Points:
Immediate pressure on opponent – deny long-ball option to central goal
Team must shift as a unit to close passing lanes as well as position themselves ball-side of their direct opponent
On winning possession – BE DIRECT!!! Avoid too many passes back or sideways!
2.
Setup:
Players organised as follows: White Buildup team – Goalkeeper + 2-2-3 / Red Defending Team – 2-3-3. **Red team plays without a Goalkeeper in the full-sized goal + 2 mini-goals.
Instructions:
In the Diagram – White #4 has attempted a vertical pass to White #10 – this pass has been intercepted by Red #8.
Immediately Red #8 has options to pass forward to #9.
Other support players now break forward while the opponent is disorganised. Scoring within 6-seconds = 2 goals.
Coaching Points:
- Immediate pressure on opponent – deny long-ball option to central goal
- Team must shift as a unit to close passing lanes as well as position themselves ball-side of their direct opponent
- On winning possession – BE DIRECT!!! Avoid too many passes back or sideways!
3.
Setup:
Players organised as follows: White Buildup team – Goalkeeper + 4-2-3-1 / Red Defending Team – 4-3-3. **Red team plays without a Goalkeeper in the full-sized goal + 2 mini-goals.
Instructions:
Progression from Previous Activity –
Playing area increased to full width of pitch.
*Addition of Fullbacks + Striker for White team
*Addition of Central Defenders for Red team
Play begins with a pass from Goalkeeper – this is the ‘cue’ for the Red team to Press.
White team must attempt to score in the mini-goals or with flighted long-balls to the central full-sized goal.
Red team must win possession and immediately transition to attack.
Coaching Points:
- Immediate pressure on opponent – deny long-ball option to central goal.
- Question of WHO goes to Press? Depending on positioning of opponent, passing options etc – who can press Central Defender? #9 / #8 / #11 etc? Players must be coached the ‘cues’ and roles for each situation
- On winning possession – BE DIRECT!!! Avoid too many passes back or sideways!