Step by step
- Their keeper has it. Stay compact and wait for the trigger: the short pass to a centre-back.
- Go together. The striker curves the run to show the ball wide; the far winger blocks the pass back across.
- Trapped by the touchline. Press the ball, cut off the inside pass, and win it high up the pitch.
When to use it
Use it when the other team likes to play out from their keeper, when your players are fit and fresh, or when you need a goal. Most teams press in spells rather than for a whole game.
Coaching points
- Agree one trigger everyone recognises: a pass back to the keeper, a pass to a centre-back, a bad touch or a player facing their own goal.
- The first presser curves their run so the ball can only go one way, usually towards the touchline.
- The next player jumps onto the player the ball is being forced towards. Everyone behind pushes up so the gaps stay small.
- The defenders step up too. A high press with a deep back line leaves a huge space in midfield.
- If the press is beaten, everyone sprints back into shape. Pressing and recovering go together.
With younger players
With 5v5 and 7v7 teams, keep it to one idea: when the ball goes back to their keeper, our front players stand on the nearest opponents. Many leagues use a retreat line, so check your rules before pressing a goal kick.