Pressing

Two-Touch Counter Press Box

Win the ball back within seconds of losing it

Pressing
Transition
Possession

Two-Touch Counter Press Box is a 18-minute pressing drill for 8-16 players, suitable for Under 11 to Adults at intermediate, advanced level. You need balls, cones, bibs, mini goals. Below you will find the objective, the set-up, how to run it, coaching points, common mistakes, progressions, regressions and variations.

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Pressing
Transition
Possession
Small-Sided Game
Intermediate
Advanced
Full Squad
Youth Friendly
Adult Suitable
Goals Needed
Two Touch

Duration

18 min

Players

8-16

Pitch size

30 x 24 yards

Ability levels

Intermediate / Advanced

Objectives

  • -Win the ball back within seconds of losing it
  • -Coach the reaction of the closest players
  • -Prevent the opposition's first forward pass

Setup

  1. 1A compact box with mini goals at each end in a 30 x 24 yards area.
  2. 2Place a marker at every receiving position so players know where to set the ball before it arrives.
  3. 3Balls with the coach, two sets of bibs.

Coaching instructions

  1. 1Normal small-sided rules with a six-second counter-press window.
  2. 2Winning the ball back inside six seconds scores a point.
  3. 3If the window passes, the team must drop into shape.
  4. 4Ball enters from the coach and the first receiver is on two touches from that moment.
  5. 5Count completed sequences under the touch limit — best of three 3-minute rounds.

Coaching points

  • -Nearest player presses instantly
  • -Block the forward pass first
  • -Recognise when to stop pressing and drop
  • -First touch out of the feet and into the direction of the next pass

Common mistakes

  • -Standing and complaining after losing the ball
  • -Everybody pressing the same player
  • -Taking a settling touch that kills the tempo

Where this drill fits

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