Press And Recover

Objective

• -Improve high-intensity pressing
• -Build recovery runs after losing the ball
• -Develop teamwork in short efforts

Setup

1. 1Mark out a central square of 22 x 18 yards.
2. 2Set two end zones two yards deep at each end.
3. 3Split players into two teams, with one ball in play.
4. 4Place spare balls with the coach for quick restarts.

How to play

1. 1The team in possession tries to make three passes.
2. 2The defending team presses to win the ball quickly.
3. 3If the ball is won, play continues straight away in the other direction.
4. 4When the ball goes out, the coach restarts immediately.
5. 5Keep the rounds short and demanding.

Progressions

• +Progressive Tempo: add a fourth maximal round
• +Ball For Every Player: shrink the working area
• +Reaction Start: two cues, one a decoy
• +Add a competitive scoreline for the last round

Regressions

• -Progressive Tempo: stay at the first two tempos only
• -Ball For Every Player: bigger area, share a ball between two
• -Reaction Start: coach counts players in
• -Simplify the area or the service until success returns

Variations

• -Progressive Tempo — Three rounds: 60% pace, 80% pace, then match pace with full recovery between.
• -Ball For Every Player — Every player works with their own ball so no one waits in a queue.
• -Reaction Start — Every repetition begins from a visual or audio cue rather than a set count.
• -Partner Race — Players work in matched pairs and race each repetition, best of five.
• -Mobility Focus — Each round finishes with a controlled mobility hold for the hips, groin and ankles.
• -Change Of Direction — Add a 90 or 180 degree turn into every repetition before the finish.
• -Team Target — The whole group works to a shared score target and repeats the round if they miss it.
• -Flip the practice to the opposite side of the pitch

Common mistakes

• -Pressing alone
• -Jogging back after a loss
• -Losing shape when chasing