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.
Your assistant coach: turn this drill into a full session, plan the weeks around it and tell me how it went.
Set-up
- Possession team of 5 keeps the ball; 3 or 4 defenders.
- Coach holds red, amber and green cones.
Equipment: Cones, bibs, balls, coloured cones
How it works
- Green: a trigger happens (bad touch, back pass, player turned away). Everyone presses.
- Amber: get compact and screen. Red: drop and protect the goal area.
- After a few rounds, coach stays quiet and the team calls it themselves.
Coaching points
- Look for the trigger, then go together.
- Call it loudly: 'Go!' or 'Hold!'.
- Pressing at the wrong time leaves gaps.
Add this drill to a session plan โ
Make it easier
- Coach calls every time
Make it harder
- Points only for presses on a real trigger
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
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See the drill โ3v3 press and win (pressing in threes)
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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