Pressing

Counter-Press Box

Win the ball back immediately after losing it

Pressing

Transition

Possession

Counter-Press Box is a 16-minute pressing drill for 8-16 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

Transition

Possession

Skill Practice

Intermediate

Advanced

Full Squad

Minimal Equipment

Youth Friendly

Adult Suitable

Duration

16 min

Players

8-16

Pitch size

25 x 25 yards

Ability levels

Intermediate / Advanced

Pitch diagram

Counter-Press Box — 4 gates — score by travelling through · 25 x 25 yards

Step 1 of 3Teams keep possession and score by passing through a gate.

1. Teams keep possession and score by passing through a gate.
2. On losing the ball the team counter-presses instantly.
3. Rounds of two minutes.

Cones mark the area
Cone gates to dribble / pass through
Ball
Solid arrow = pass, thick = shot, dashed = run / dribble

Objectives

-Win the ball back immediately after losing it
-React within five seconds
-Surround the ball as a group

Setup

1A 25 yard square with four target gates.
2Two teams of four with one ball.
3Extra balls on the outside for restarts.

Coaching instructions

1Teams keep possession and score by passing through a gate.
2On losing the ball the team counter-presses instantly.
3Rounds of two minutes.

Coaching points

-Nearest player closes the ball in a heartbeat
-Others cut the nearest passing options
-Body shape ready before the ball is lost

Common mistakes

-Dropping off after losing the ball
-One player pressing alone
-Standing and complaining after a turnover

Equipment needed

Balls

Cones

Bibs

Age groups

Under 10

Under 11

Under 12

Under 13

Under 14

Under 15

Under 16

Adults

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