Pressing ยท U11 to adult

Trap zones: win it by the line

Coloured wide zones are 'trap' areas. Wins in a trap zone are worth double. Teams learn to let the ball go wide, then shut the door.

U11 to adultAges
12 to 16 plus keepersPlayers
40 x 30 mArea
15 minsTime

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

Set-up

  • Small-sided game with keepers.
  • Mark a 6 m channel down each touchline as the trap zone.

Equipment: Cones, 2 goals, bibs, balls

How it works

  1. Normal game.
  2. A ball won inside a trap zone and scored within 10 seconds counts double.
  3. Coach can freeze play to show the trap shape: ball-side tight, far side tucked in.

Coaching points

  • Show them outside, don't invite them inside.
  • Nearest teammate steps across to double up.
  • Far side players tuck in, the touchline is your extra defender.

Add this drill to a session plan โ†’

Make it easier

  • Wider trap zones

Make it harder

  • Trap goals only count if scored in 8 seconds

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