Pressing
Pressing
Players should learn how to press the ball effectively using the coaching points of pressing
Activity 1:
Recovery Drill - Transitions
10 mins
Method:
Teaching Points:
Equipment:
Empty the Circle - Passing Game
Activity 2:
15 mins
Method:
- You will need 2 teams of approximately 6 or 7 players
- Mark out a square playing area approximately 30m x 30m and then within that square mark out a circle ensuring there is around a minimum of around a 3m gap at the narrowest points at the edge of the square.
- Each team should choose one player who starts the game on the outside of the circle. Everyone else starts inside the circle.
- Players on the outside cannot go inside the circle and players inside the circle cannot go outside of the circle.
- In order to get a player out of the circle, the ball must be passed from an outside player, to a player on the same team on the inside of the circle (the ball can then be passed as many or as little times as you want or need within the circle as long as you keep posession), then it needs to be passed back to the teammate on the outside of the circle. The player that made the pass out then comes out of the circle
- Players on the outside of the circle can tackle other players on the outside of the circle
- Players inside the circle can tackle other players inside the circle
- The game is over when everyone has left the circle by one of the teams
Teaching Points:
- Players need to continually look for space when their team is in posession to be available for a pass. Body shape is crucial with the shape of the game meaning the game evolves all around you. Open your body to be able to scan as much of the area as possible
- Out of posession, you need to mark your player. They'll be on the move constantly. Think about where you need to be to stop the easy pass back out of the circle. Try to force them to play the extra pass within the circle if you can.
Equipment:
- Marker cones
- Bibs
- Football
Activity 3:
Win Your Team - Possession v Pressing Drill
15 mins
Method:
Mark out a football pitch, doesn't have to be big, you could play this on half a 5 a-side pitch
Split your group into teams - You ideally want around 5 or 6 players per team
Each team should have a captain to choose who starts on the pitch and who enters the pitch each time your team achieve the set number of passes.
Start the game with 2 players on the pitch per team
Select a number of passes that your team will have to make before the next player enters (3 for low ability and 5 for high ability is about right)
Start the game with a drop ball
The coach (or captains) should count the number of passes out loud, captains to send the next player in when needed
As soon as you have 'won' every player on your team and they are all on the pitch playing, you are allowed to score a goal. The other team continues to try to win the ball back and make more passes. The first team to score, gets the point and then you reset the game with 2 new players starting the game
Teaching Points:
Pressing the Ball:
The player nearest the ball carrier should close their space down
Decelerate when approaching the ball carrier and look for a mistake or miscontrol to pounce on in order to make a tackle
If you are not the one nearest the ball carrier, you should close down/mark the nearest player in your territory so they can't accept a pass easily
Reactions are key. A split second of switching off, not reacting, sulking because you got tackled, being half hearted with your effort will cost you dearly in this game!
Equipment:
Football
Bibs
Goals
