Individual pressing

WHY USE IT

Improves players’ awareness of when and how to press. They will work on anticipating a pass into an opponent and closing them down quickly before attempting to win the ball.

SET UP

Use a rectangular pitch of a size relative to the age, ability and number of your players. Split it into thirds. At one end, set up two gates and at the other end place a small goal in a corner. A defender starts at this end, with an attacker at the opposite end by the gates. A server is positioned along one side of the area.

HOW TO PLAY

The server plays a pass into the attacker, who enters the area and looks to play the ball into the small goal. As soon as the server starts the action to play the pass, the defender can begin to press the attacker.

If the defender wins possession, they look to drive through one of the gates. The number of points the defender wins will depend on which third of the area they win the ball in. The further away they are from the small goal, the more points they win.

Coaching points

• How can you anticipate when the ball is going to be played into the attacker?
• What speed should you close the player down at?
• What body shape should you take up?