Sideline Squeeze

Objective

• -Force play wide
• -Use touchline as an extra defender
• -Work in units behind the press

Setup

1. 1Make a long narrow pitch with a wide channel down each side.
2. 2Place mini goals at both ends.
3. 3Split into two teams with bibs and start one ball with the coach.
4. 4Ask each team to defend and attack in the same direction for short rounds.

How to play

1. 1Play a normal game but encourage the pressing team to steer play to the touchline.
2. 2When the ball goes wide, the nearest player presses and the second player covers inside.
3. 3If the ball is forced out or won, the team counter-attacks straight away.
4. 4Restart quickly from the coach so the pressure stays constant.
5. 5Rotate the teams after each short game.

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

• -Letting play escape inside
• -Pressing with no cover
• -Arriving late to the wide area