The 4-4-2 high press is one of the oldest and best. The two strikers take the two centre-backs while one of them keeps their holding midfielder in their cover shadow. When the ball goes to a full-back, our wide midfielder jumps, our full-back steps onto their winger, and our central midfielders squeeze across. Two compact banks of four make the trap.
Step 1 of 4
They play out in a 4-3-3. Our strikers block their holding midfielder; our banks of four are compact.
Drawn for 11v11 4-4-2. Pick your own format and shape and every step is redrawn for your players. Then present it or send it to your team.
Step by step
They play out in a 4-3-3. Our strikers block their holding midfielder; our banks of four are compact.
Trigger: the pass out to their full-back. Our wide midfielder jumps; the near striker cuts the way back.
Their full-back looks for the winger. Our full-back steps on him; our central midfielder slides across.
Two against one by the touchline. Win it and break.
When to use it
Against teams playing out with two centre-backs and a holding midfielder (a 4-3-3 or 4-2-3-1). Press in spells; drop into a 4-4-2 mid block when beaten.
Coaching points
Strikers start between their centre-backs and holding midfielder, so the pass into the 6 is blocked.
Trigger: pass from a centre-back to their full-back. Our wide midfielder jumps as the ball travels.
The near striker blocks the way back to the centre-back; the far striker covers the 6.
Our full-back steps onto their winger; our central midfielders slide to the ball side.
The back four push up so the team is no more than 35 metres long.
Who does what
Position
Their job
Strikers
Block the 6, press the centre-backs, cut the way back.
Wide midfielders
Start narrow, jump onto the full-back on the trigger.
Central midfielders
Mark their 8s; slide to the ball side.
Full-backs
Step onto their wingers when the ball goes wide.
Centre-backs
Push up and win anything long.
When they change it
If they…
You…
Their 6 drops between the centre-backs
One striker presses the 6, the other and a wide midfielder take the outside centre-backs.
Their full-back goes long down the line
Our full-back defends it; the wide midfielder recovers to double up.
They play through the middle
Central midfielders step onto the receiver from behind; the strikers press back.
Common mistakes
Strikers standing flat, leaving the 6 free.
Wide midfielders starting too wide, opening the middle.
Back four not pushing up behind the press.
At 7v7, 9v9 and 11v11
7v7
At 7v7, a 2-3-1 presses with the same wide-midfielder jump.
Yes. Two strikers can take two centre-backs while blocking the 6, and two banks of four cover the width.
How do two strikers stop the holding midfielder?
By standing in front of them, between the passer and the 6 (a cover shadow), while still pressing the centre-backs.
Should we press from goal kicks?
Only if your league's rules allow it (many younger formats use a retreat line) and only as a team. A goal kick is a good trigger because everyone can get set before the ball is played.
