Pressure Halfway Line Game

Objective

• -Coach the whole team moving up and down together
• -Keep the shape compact between the lines
• -Reward organised, connected play

Setup

1. 1A pitch with a clearly marked halfway line in a 34 x 24 yards area.
2. 2Position a recovering defender behind each working player, starting two yards back.
3. 3Balls with the coach, two sets of bibs.

How to play

1. 1Goals only count when every attacking player has crossed halfway.
2. 2Defending teams must have everyone behind the ball to earn a clean-sheet point.
3. 3Play four-minute games with short breaks.
4. 4The defender is released the moment the ball leaves the server's foot.
5. 5The working player scores by completing the action before pressure arrives; the defender scores by blocking it.

Progressions

• +Defender starts level rather than behind
• +Raise the demand once the group is consistently successful

Regressions

• -Defender presses at jogging pace only
• -Simplify the area or the service until success returns

Variations

• -Two defenders alternate so pressure is constant
• -Run the practice on the opposite side of the pitch

Common mistakes

• -Strikers not tracking back
• -Defenders staying deep when the team attacks
• -Facing your own goal and getting trapped by the press