Gafferbook
Pressing · 9v9 2-4-2

How to press in a 9v9 2-4-2

A 2-4-2 presses like a small 4-4-2: two strikers on the ball, wide midfielders jumping to the wide players, and a central pair that marks the middle. With only two at the back, the press must be quick and together, and the centre-backs must push up to keep the team short.

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Step 1 of 4

They play out. Our strikers screen the middle; the wide midfielders wait.

Drawn for 9v9 2-4-2. 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

  1. They play out. Our strikers screen the middle; the wide midfielders wait.
  2. Trigger: pass to their right centre-back. Our left striker presses; the right one blocks the switch.
  3. Down the line: our wide midfielder jumps, our centre midfielder covers inside.
  4. Trapped. Win it and go.

When to use it

When the opponent plays out short and you have energy. With two at the back, press in shorter spells than a back-three team.

Coaching points

  • The strikers start between their centre-backs, blocking the middle.
  • Trigger: pass to a wide centre-back. The near striker presses; the far one blocks the switch.
  • The wide midfielder on the ball side jumps onto their winger or full-back.
  • The central pair mark their midfielders tight.
  • The two centre-backs push up and one marks their striker.

Who does what

PositionTheir job
StrikersPress and screen in a pair.
Wide midfieldersJump onto their wide player when the ball goes there.
Central midfieldersMark tight so the middle is closed.
Centre-backsPush up; one marks the striker, one covers.

When they change it

If they…You…
They go over the pressCentre-backs drop as soon as the passer looks up.
They have three forwardsOne central midfielder drops in to make three at the back; the press is shorter.
They switchSlide together and press the other side.

Common mistakes

  • Pressing with only two at the back and nobody covering the striker.
  • Wide midfielders jumping without the central pair sliding over.
  • Strikers pressing in a straight line.

At 7v7, 9v9 and 11v11

7v7
At 7v7, the 2-3-1 is the small version.
9v9
The board: 9v9 2-4-2.
11v11
At 11v11, a 4-4-2 high press. See its board.

See the full 9v9 2-4-2 formation guide for the shape, positions and drills.

Drills to practise it

9v9 pressing with a front two

U12 to U13 · 18 plus keepers

Open the drill →

4-4-2 high press: the two strikers' cues

U13 to adult · 14 to 20 plus a keeper

Open the drill →

Press and cover in pairs

U9 to adult · 8 to 16

Open the drill →

Cover shadow pressing

U12 to adult · 6 to 10

Open the drill →

Touchline trap

U11 to adult · 6 to 10

Open the drill →

Questions coaches ask

Can a 2-4-2 press high safely?

In short spells, with the centre-backs pushing up and one of them always on their striker.

What's the trigger for a 2-4-2 press?

Most teams use the pass from the keeper to a centre-back, or a pass back.

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.

More tactics boards

Without the ball

High press

How to press high as a team: the trigger, the curved run, trapping them on the touchline, who covers, and what to do when they play around you.

Watch it →With the ball

Playing out in a 2-4-2

Building from the back in a 9v9 2-4-2: a central midfielder drops between the centre-backs to make three, the wide midfielders go high. Animated board.

Watch it →Without the ball

Pressing in a 4-4-2

How a 4-4-2 presses against a 4-3-3: strikers split their centre-backs and block the 6, the wide midfielder jumps, the back four pushes up. Animated board.

Watch it →

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