Steering Game

Objective

• -Guide play into a chosen area
• -Press with purpose
• -Win the ball near the touchline

Setup

1. 1Divide the pitch into a middle zone and two wide zones.
2. 2Play 4v4 or 5v5 with teams in bibs.
3. 3Use cone gates on the wide edge as pressing targets.

How to play

1. 1The team out of possession tries to force the ball into a wide zone.
2. 2Once there, the nearest defender presses and the rest squeeze in.
3. 3A win in the wide zone scores double.
4. 4After a goal or out of play, restart with the coach.
5. 5Let players work out the best pressing triggers.

Progressions

• +Switch To Score: two switches before scoring
• +Five Second Counter-Press: three seconds to win it back
• +Target Zone Bonus: only goals started from a pocket count
• +Add a competitive scoreline for the last round

Regressions

• -Switch To Score: switch earns a bonus point rather than being compulsory
• -Five Second Counter-Press: eight seconds and fewer opponents
• -Target Zone Bonus: widen the pocket zones
• -Simplify the area or the service until success returns

Variations

• -Switch To Score — A goal only counts after the ball has been switched from one side of the pitch to the other.
• -Five Second Counter-Press — On losing the ball the team has five seconds to win it back before dropping into shape.
• -Target Zone Bonus — Extra points for playing into marked pockets between the lines before finishing.
• -Overload Rotation — One team plays with an extra player for two minutes then the overload rotates.
• -Restart Realism — All restarts are played as in a match — throw-ins, goal kicks and corners rather than a coach ball.
• -Two-Goal Decision — Each team attacks two small goals, so defenders must decide which threat to cover.
• -Limited Touch Build-Up — Maximum three touches in your own half, unlimited once you pass the halfway line.
• -Flip the practice to the opposite side of the pitch

Common mistakes

• -Pressing without cover
• -Letting the ball escape inside
• -Arriving too late to help