Forwards Pressuring

Organization:   

Area: 15y x 10y

Place two small cones on each side, five yards from starting cone. Divide players in two groups. First player of each group jogs around the cone and jogs back diagonally to the other group. The second player starts as soon as the first player is at the small cone.  When the players meet in the center of the grid on the way back, they need to zipper. Demand a perfect zipper. Players cross each other evenly. Count the mistakes. One mistake, one push up. This encourages communication and sorting 'the zipper' out. After several times jogging, players perform variety of runs and dynamic stretches to the first cone and zipper on the way back. Knee lifts, butt kicks, karaoke steps, skipping with arm swings, side steps, backward jogging and running, and so forth.  

Variations: 

• After making the turn, players accelerate and sprint while still zippering when passing each other. 
• Players run with ball above their head or hold a stick. 
• Set up cones/ladder to add agility movements. 

Organization:

Area: 12y x 12y

Play a tag game whereby players are safe from the tagger when they jump on the back of another player, like a horse and jockey. They can only stay on the back of the horse for five seconds. When a player is tagged, he/she becomes the new tagger. Players cannot jump on the same horse twice in a row and the tagger is not allowed to wait next to a horse and jockey. With a large group, make the field bigger and add a second tagger.

Focus Points:

• Enthusiasm and fun. 

• Obey the rules.

Organization:

Area: Half field, less than full width.

The teams play 6v4, with the attacking team scoring in the two small goals on the halfway line. When the defenders win the ball, they attack the large goal with the GK. The attacking team plays with a goalkeeper, four defenders, and a central midfielder. The defenders play in a diamond formation. Play begins with a goal kick from the GK. From there, the attacking team builds up and tries to create scoring chances. Attackers re-start with a throw in, but the defenders can dribble or pass the ball back in. Switch roles after several minutes.

Game: Create two teams, switch roles after five minutes. Keep track of the score.

Coaching Points:

Tactical Attacking:

• Outside backs (2 and 3) go low or high depending on which central defender has the ball.

• Central defenders (4 and 5) tilt (drop) when the other central defender has the ball. Switch play, break the vertical line (BVL) or find a midfielder.

• Midfielder 6 tries to find the ball and moves the ball, opens up or goes forward.

Technique:

• Pass with the correct speed to the correct foot. Receive with the furthest foot to open up.

Team Defending:

• 9 makes an L-Run; gets in between the central defenders and then presses the ball.

• 11 and 7 start pinched in and invite a pass from the central defender to the outside back. Pressure the ball at that moment. Do not pressure the central defender.

• Midfielder slides over to the side of the ball and picks up 6 or 8 or cuts off the passing lane forward.

Organization:

Area: Half field

The attacking team plays with a GK, four defenders and two midfielders, trying to build up and score on the small goals. The defenders play with three forwards and two midfielders, looking to win the ball and score on the large goal. The game always starts with a goal kick from the goalkeeper. When the ball goes over the sideline, both teams must throw the ball back in. Switch roles after several minutes.

Game: Keep track of the score.

Coaching Points:

Forwards Pressing When Build Up Starts:

• CF 9 makes an L-Run when the goalie passes the ball to one of the central defenders; gets in between the central defenders and then pressure the ball.

• Wingers 11 and 7 start pinched in, leave the outside defender ‘fake’ open, and invite the pass from the central defender to the outside back. Pressure ball at that moment. Be on at the feet of the outside defender when he/she receives the ball.

• When the ball goes to the outside back, the winger on the weak side pinches to center of field. Another option could be that the winger goes towards the nearest central defender, but only if our midfield is strong and marking their midfielders. Wingers do not pressure the central defender when they build up.

• Midfielders mark their midfielders. Force turnovers, score goals.

Defenders + Midfielders Building Up:

• Movement as in W-passing. Create flow. Look to go forward and score, value the ball, be patient, keep ball possession.

Organization:

Area: From goalbox to goalbox, full width minus 7y on each side. 

Two teams play in 1-3-3-2, 1-3-2-3 or 1-4-3-1 formation. 

Game: Keep track of the score. 

Variations: Goal counts double when it is scored within ten seconds of turn over. Goal only counts when the whole team is on the opponent's half when the goal is scored. Dribble or pass the ball in when it goes out of bound.