Pressing
Mid Block Pressing Shape: Restart Realism
Hold a mid block then spring the press
Pressing
Team Shape
Defending
Mid Block Pressing Shape: Restart Realism is a 20-minute pressing drill for 10-20 players, suitable for Under 12 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.
Back to drill libraryPressing
Team Shape
Defending
Skill Practice
Intermediate
Advanced
Full Squad
Minimal Equipment
Youth Friendly
Adult Suitable
Set Pieces
Game Realistic
Organisation
Duration
20 min
Players
10-20
Pitch size
50 x 40 yards
Ability levels
Intermediate / Advanced
Pitch diagram
Mid Block Pressing Shape: Restart Realism — 4 gates — score by travelling through · 50 x 40 yards
Step 1 of 5The blocking team stays in the middle third until the ball enters a pressing zone.
- 1. The blocking team stays in the middle third until the ball enters a pressing zone.
- 2. On entry, they press aggressively to win the ball.
- 3. Swap roles after eight minutes.
- 4. All restarts are played as in a match — throw-ins, goal kicks and corners rather than a coach ball.
- 5. Rotation: Swap roles after eight minutes.
- Cones mark the area
- Cone gates to dribble / pass through
- Ball
- Dotted arrow = rotation between repetitions
- Solid arrow = pass, thick = shot, dashed = run / dribble
Objectives
- -Hold a mid block then spring the press
- -Stay compact between the lines
- -Protect the centre while pressing wide
Setup
- 1Pitch split into thirds with cones.
- 2Two teams, one holding a mid block shape.
- 3Goals or target gates at each end.
Coaching instructions
- 1The blocking team stays in the middle third until the ball enters a pressing zone.
- 2On entry, they press aggressively to win the ball.
- 3Swap roles after eight minutes.
- 4All restarts are played as in a match — throw-ins, goal kicks and corners rather than a coach ball.
Coaching points
- -Keep ten to twelve yards between the lines
- -Screen the pass into the middle
- -Explode out of the block on the trigger
- -Shape up quickly on every restart
- -Talk to organise before the ball is live
Common mistakes
- -Pressing too early and leaving gaps
- -Block too deep and inviting pressure
- -No communication about the trigger