Pressing

Counter Pressing Trigger Grid

Recognise the trigger to press

Pressing
Defending
Transition

Counter Pressing Trigger Grid is a 20-minute pressing drill for 8-18 players, suitable for Under 10 to Adults at intermediate, advanced level. You need balls, cones, bibs. 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
Defending
Transition
Skill Practice
Intermediate
Advanced
Full Squad
Minimal Equipment
Youth Friendly
Adult Suitable
Counter Attack

Duration

20 min

Players

8-18

Pitch size

40 x 32 yards

Ability levels

Intermediate / Advanced

Pitch diagram

Pitch set-up: Counter Pressing Trigger Grid12340 x 32 yards

Counter Pressing Trigger Grid — Marked area · 40 x 32 yards

Step 1 of 5The build-up team plays out and the pressing team waits for the trigger.

  1. 1. The build-up team plays out and the pressing team waits for the trigger.
  2. 2. A backwards pass or heavy touch triggers the press.
  3. 3. Pressing team scores by winning the ball inside the zone.
  4. 4. The team in possession starts each rep in their own half and must build forwards.
  5. 5. Turnovers earn a direct counter at the mini goals worth two points.
  • Cones mark the area
  • Dashed lines = zones / thirds
  • Ball
  • Solid arrow = pass, thick = shot, dashed = run / dribble

Objectives

  • -Recognise the trigger to press
  • -Press as a connected unit
  • -Win the ball high up the pitch

Setup

  1. 1A grid with a build-up zone and a pressing zone in a 40 x 32 yards area.
  2. 2Place two mini goals on the halfway line for the counter-attacking side to aim at.
  3. 3Balls in the build-up zone, two sets of bibs.

Coaching instructions

  1. 1The build-up team plays out and the pressing team waits for the trigger.
  2. 2A backwards pass or heavy touch triggers the press.
  3. 3Pressing team scores by winning the ball inside the zone.
  4. 4The team in possession starts each rep in their own half and must build forwards.
  5. 5Turnovers earn a direct counter at the mini goals worth two points.

Coaching points

  • -Press on the trigger, not before it
  • -First presser sets the angle, others follow
  • -Close the pass backwards
  • -Counter in a straight line — the first pass forward beats the recovery run

Common mistakes

  • -Pressing individually and leaving gaps
  • -Missing the trigger completely
  • -Dribbling into traffic when the counter is on

Where this drill fits

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