Pressure Wall

Objective

• -Close down short free kicks quickly
• -Hold a compact defensive shape
• -Force the attack away from goal

Setup

1. 1Mark a free kick spot and a five-yard defensive wall line.
2. 2Place one attacking pair and one defending pair on either side of the ball.
3. 3Use cones to show the safe side and the dangerous side.
4. 4Keep spare balls with the coach beside the start point.

How to play

1. 1The attack starts with a short free kick instead of a shot.
2. 2Defenders step up together and get close fast.
3. 3Attackers try to pass through or around the press.
4. 4If defenders win it, they clear to a target zone.
5. 5Rotate after each short break in play.

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

• -Leaving gaps between defenders
• -Running past the ball
• -Turning the back too early