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.
Your assistant coach: turn this drill into a full session, plan the weeks around it and tell me how it went.
Set-up
- Keeper and two centre-backs plus full-backs.
- Striker and two wide pressers.
Equipment: Goal, cones, bibs, balls
How it works
- Centre-back passes back to the keeper.
- Striker curves the run to cut off one centre-back.
- Wide pressers mark the full-backs; keeper must kick long or into the trap.
Coaching points
- Curve the run to block the easy pass.
- Don't sprint straight at the keeper: they'll pass round you.
- Pressers react to where the keeper looks.
Add this drill to a session plan โ
Make it easier
- Keeper can't use hands
Make it harder
- Keeper can play to a dropping midfielder
AttackersDefendersKeeper / neutral- - โ Passโ Runใฐโ Dribble
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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 โHigh 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 โ3v3 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 โCurved 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 โPressing 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 โMidfield 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