Gafferbook
Pressing ยท U13 to adult

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 adultAges
14 to 20 plus a keeperPlayers
Half pitchArea
20 minsTime

Your assistant coach: turn this drill into a full session, plan the weeks around it and tell me how it went.

โž• Put it in tonight's session๐Ÿ—“ Build my season around itโœ๏ธ Make my own version

Set-up

  • Opposition back four, keeper and two midfielders build up.
  • Pressing team in a 4-4-2 shape.

Equipment: Goal, cones, bibs, balls

How it works

  1. Keeper plays to a centre-back.
  2. Near striker presses with a curved run; the other screens the 6.
  3. Midfield four push up and mark; win it and finish quickly.

Coaching points

  • Strikers decide when: on a pass to a centre-back's weaker foot or a bad touch.
  • Wide midfielders jump to the full-backs.
  • Back four squeeze up behind.

Formations this drill suits

4-4-2 (11v11) drills

Add this drill to a session plan โ†’

Make it easier

  • Build-up team two-touch

Make it harder

  • Build-up team adds a dropping midfielder

AttackersDefendersKeeper / neutral- - โ†’ Passโ†’ Runใ€ฐโ†’ Dribble

Questions about this drill?

Free AI coaching help from Gafferbook. Ask anything about coaching your team.

More pressing drills

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.

See the drill โ†’

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.

See the drill โ†’

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.

See the drill โ†’

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.

See the drill โ†’

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.

See the drill โ†’

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.

See the drill โ†’