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.
Your assistant coach: turn this drill into a full session, plan the weeks around it and tell me how it went.
Set-up
- Attacking team: 2 centre-backs, a six, 2 full-backs, keeper; they score through mini-goals on the halfway line.
- Defending team: striker, 2 wingers and a midfielder; they score in the big goal after a win.
Equipment: Cones, mini-goals, bibs, balls
How it works
- Keeper starts every attack.
- Striker and midfielder hide the six; wingers wait for the pass to the full-back.
- When it goes wide, press hard on the full-back with the winger and nearest midfielder.
Coaching points
- Striker: stand in the six's passing lane, not on the centre-back.
- Wingers: start narrow, jump on the pass.
- Cut the way back, force it down the line.
Formations this drill suits
Add this drill to a session plan โ
Make it easier
- No full-backs, just the six and two centre-backs
Make it harder
- Add a second six
AttackersDefendersKeeper / neutral- - โ Passโ Runใฐโ Dribble
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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.
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See the drill โMidfield trap: show inside, double up
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See the drill โ