Turn and Press

Objective

• -Press immediately after a loss
• -Force play in one direction
• -Win the ball back close to goal

Setup

1. 1Create a 20 x 18 yard box with a cone line down the middle.
2. 2Put a small team in one half and a pressing pair in the other half.
3. 3Give the attacking team a ball to start.
4. 4Use bibs to mark the pressing players clearly.

How to play

1. 1The attacking team keeps possession in their half.
2. 2If the pressers win it, they have three seconds to attack the opposite side of the box.
3. 3If the attackers break out, they keep the ball and the coach starts a new round.
4. 4Swap the pressing pair after each attempt so all players work hard.
5. 5Keep the rounds short and sharp.

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 alone
• -Backing off too much
• -Not reacting after a loss