Pressing drills
Pressing is a team skill, not running hard. These practices teach when to go and how to go together.
Pressing is winning the ball back quickly as a group. Good pressing drills teach a trigger (a bad touch or a back pass), the angle of the first presser, and the team squeezing up behind them.
Pressing triggers game
A 5v5 (or 6v6) game where the defending team scores a bonus goal for winning the ball within five seconds of a trigger: a back pass, a bad touch, or a pass to the touchline.
U11 to adult · 10 to 14 players · 20 mins
See the drill →High press in a 4-3-3: front three shape
The front three press a back four and keeper: the striker curves to show the ball one way, the far winger tucks in, the near winger jumps the full-back. Win it and finish on the big goal.
U13 to adult · 12 to 16 including keepers players · 20 mins
See the drill →3v3 press and win (pressing in threes)
Three players keep the ball in their half; three pressers enter on the coach's pass and must win it within ten seconds. Teaches first presser, cover and balance in a small group.
U9 to U14 · 6 to 12 players · 15 mins
See the drill →Curved runs: cut off the switch (2v3)
Two strikers press three defenders with curved runs that block the switch, forcing play one way. Teaches the most important pressing technique for forwards.
U11 to adult · 5 to 10 players · 12 to 15 mins
See the drill →Pressing the goal kick
The team sets up to press the opposition's short goal kick, marking the short options and trapping the receiver. Turns the opponent's build-up into your chance.
U11 to adult · 12 to 18 plus a keeper players · 15 to 20 mins
See the drill →Midfield trap: show inside, double up
Midfielders show the opponent into the middle where a second player doubles up to win the ball. Teaches a coordinated trap rather than chasing alone.
U12 to adult · 8 to 12 players · 15 mins
See the drill →Touchline trap
Pressers force the ball carrier towards the touchline and use it as an extra defender to win the ball. A simple, effective team pressing idea.
U11 to adult · 6 to 10 players · 12 mins
See the drill →4-4-2 high press: the two strikers' cues
The two strikers press the centre-backs with clear cues and the midfield four push up behind them. A full-team pressing practice for 4-4-2 teams.
U13 to adult · 14 to 20 plus a keeper players · 20 mins
See the drill →3-5-2 press: wing-backs jump
In a 3-5-2 press, the wing-backs jump forward to press the opposition full-backs while the back three shift across. Teaches a high press without leaving gaps.
U13 to adult · 14 to 20 plus a keeper players · 20 mins
See the drill →7v7 pressing shape (2-3-1)
The 2-3-1 presses with the striker on the ball, the midfield three on their nearest players and the two defenders squeezing up. Simple pressing for the 7v7 format.
U10 to U12 · 14 plus keepers players · 15 to 20 mins
See the drill →9v9 pressing with a front two
A 9v9 game focusing on the front two pressing the back three and the midfield three locking the middle. Pressing as a team in the 9v9 format.
U12 to U13 · 18 plus keepers players · 20 mins
See the drill →High-turnover game (bonus for winning it high)
A normal game where goals scored within 10 seconds of winning the ball in the attacking third count triple. Rewards aggressive, coordinated pressing.
U10 to adult · 10 to 16 plus keepers players · 15 to 20 mins
See the drill →Cover shadow pressing
Pressers learn to block the pass behind them with their body (the cover shadow) while pressing the ball. Pressing that takes away options, not just the ball.
U12 to adult · 6 to 10 players · 12 mins
See the drill →Press and cover in pairs
Two defenders face two attackers plus two outside targets; one presses, one covers, and they switch roles as the ball moves. The building block of team pressing.
U9 to adult · 8 to 16 players · 12 mins
See the drill →Press or drop (coach's call)
During a game, the coach calls 'press!' or 'drop!' and the team must switch between a high press and a compact mid-block. Teaches a team to change pressing height together.
U12 to adult · 12 to 18 plus keepers players · 15 to 20 mins
See the drill →Back-pass trigger press
Whenever the attacking team passes backwards, the pressers must press immediately and step up. Teaches one of the clearest pressing triggers.
U11 to adult · 8 to 14 players · 12 to 15 mins
See the drill →Stop the turn: pressing a target player
A defender presses a target player from behind to stop them turning, while teammates block the lay-off options. Teaches how to defend the striker or 10 receiving with their back to goal.
U10 to adult · 6 to 12 players · 12 mins
See the drill →Hunt in packs 4v4 (+2)
A 4v4 with two neutrals; the defending team must press as a group of four, with three players within 10 metres of the ball at all times. Teaches compact, aggressive pressing.
U10 to adult · 10 players · 12 mins
See the drill →Pressing the keeper
When the ball goes back to the keeper, the striker presses with a curved run to force the kick one way, while teammates mark the short options. A key part of a high press.
U11 to adult · 6 to 10 plus a keeper players · 12 mins
See the drill →4-2-3-1 press: the 10 on their 6
In a 4-2-3-1 press, the number 10 marks the opposition's holding midfielder while the striker presses the centre-backs. Takes away the opponent's most important build-up player.
U13 to adult · 12 to 18 plus a keeper players · 15 to 20 mins
See the drill →Press one, screen two (3v5 keep-ball)
Three defenders work as a pressing unit: one presses the ball, two block passing lanes behind. Five attackers try to keep it. Teaches young players that pressing is a team job, not a chase.
U10 to adult · 8 (5 v 3) players · 15 mins
See the drill →Pressing waves (two pressing teams)
Two teams of three take turns pressing a team of four or five. When the first wave is broken, the next wave goes. Short, sharp, high-energy pressing with built-in rest.
U11 to adult · 10 to 14 players · 15 mins
See the drill →Trap zones: win it by the line
Coloured wide zones are 'trap' areas. Wins in a trap zone are worth double. Teams learn to let the ball go wide, then shut the door.
U11 to adult · 12 to 16 plus keepers players · 15 mins
See the drill →Middle press: cut out the six
The defending team's striker and a midfielder block the opponent's holding midfielder so the ball has to go wide, where the press springs. Teaches pressing from the front with a plan.
U12 to adult · 11 to 15 players · 20 mins
See the drill →Counter-press boxes (win it in 5)
Two possession boxes side by side. When a team loses the ball, everyone near it has five seconds to win it back before the other team can switch boxes. A game for the habit of reacting instantly.
U10 to adult · 8 to 12 players · 15 mins
See the drill →Pressing triggers: traffic lights
A young players' game to learn when to press: a bad touch, a backwards pass, a player facing their own goal. Coach calls the colour, players learn to see it themselves.
U9 to U14 · 8 to 14 players · 12 mins
See the drill →Press the build-up (7v7 and 9v9)
A phase for small-sided football: the attacking team plays out from the keeper; the defending team's front players try to win it in the first third. Respects the retreat line, then presses once it's crossed.
U9 to U13 · 10 to 18 plus keepers players · 20 mins
See the drill →Screen and steal gates
Attackers score by passing through gates; defenders score by intercepting. Teaches defenders to stand in passing lanes and read the pass rather than diving in.
U10 to adult · 6 to 10 players · 12 mins
See the drill →Building a session?
Tell the free session planner your age group, numbers and what to work on, and it builds a full session from drills like these.
Coaching guides
Free AI coaching help from Gafferbook. Ask anything about coaching your team.