Pressing

Press And Cover Waves: Restart Realism

Press in waves without gaps

Pressing
Defending
Speed & Agility

Press And Cover Waves: Restart Realism is a 16-minute pressing drill for 6-18 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
Speed & Agility
Skill Practice
Intermediate
Advanced
Full Squad
Minimal Equipment
Youth Friendly
Adult Suitable
Set Pieces
Game Realistic
Organisation

Duration

16 min

Players

6-18

Pitch size

40 x 30 yards

Ability levels

Intermediate / Advanced

Pitch diagram

Pitch set-up: Press And Cover Waves: Restart Realism12C40 x 30 yards

Press And Cover Waves: Restart Realism — Pairs facing each other · 40 x 30 yards

Step 1 of 4Servers keep possession while a pressing pair works for thirty seconds.

  1. 1. Servers keep possession while a pressing pair works for thirty seconds.
  2. 2. Next pair enters as the first pair leaves.
  3. 3. Count regains per pair.
  4. 4. All restarts are played as in a match — throw-ins, goal kicks and corners rather than a coach ball.
  • Ball
  • Pairs working across a marked lane
  • C = coach / server
  • Solid arrow = pass, thick = shot, dashed = run / dribble

Objectives

  • -Press in waves without gaps
  • -Rotate pressing responsibility
  • -Sustain intensity

Setup

  1. 1Four servers around a 40 x 30 area.
  2. 2Pressing pairs work inside against two ball carriers.
  3. 3Cones mark the pressing lanes.

Coaching instructions

  1. 1Servers keep possession while a pressing pair works for thirty seconds.
  2. 2Next pair enters as the first pair leaves.
  3. 3Count regains per pair.
  4. 4All restarts are played as in a match — throw-ins, goal kicks and corners rather than a coach ball.

Coaching points

  • -Approach at speed then break down the last two strides
  • -Show the ball carrier one way only
  • -Second presser cuts the obvious pass
  • -Shape up quickly on every restart
  • -Talk to organise before the ball is live

Common mistakes

  • -Arriving flat out and being turned
  • -Both pressers on the same side
  • -Slowing down after one failed press

Where this drill fits

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