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.
Your assistant coach: turn this drill into a full session, plan the weeks around it and tell me how it went.
Set-up
- Wide channel next to the touchline.
- Three attackers v three pressers.
Equipment: Cones, bibs, balls
How it works
- Attackers try to dribble or pass to the end of the channel.
- Pressers show them to the line and squeeze.
- Win it and pass to the coach in the middle.
Coaching points
- Press from the inside, showing them outside.
- Second presser blocks the line pass.
- Third presser covers the inside escape.
Add this drill to a session plan โ
Make it easier
- Attackers can't pass backwards
Make it harder
- Four attackers v three
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)
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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