Pressing

Pressing Trigger Practice

Recognise pressing triggers

Pressing

Defending

Transition

Pressing Trigger Practice is a 18-minute pressing drill for 8-18 players, suitable for Under 11 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

Duration

18 min

Players

8-18

Pitch size

Half pitch

Ability levels

Intermediate / Advanced

Pitch diagram

Pressing Trigger Practice — Marked area · Half pitch

Step 1 of 3Keeper starts play; the pressing team presses on the trigger — a back pass, heavy touch or pass to a wide player.

1. Keeper starts play; the pressing team presses on the trigger — a back pass, heavy touch or pass to a wide player.
2. Pressing team scores by winning the ball in the trap zone.
3. Ten build-ups then swap.

Cones mark the area
Dashed lines = zones / thirds
Ball
Solid arrow = pass, thick = shot, dashed = run / dribble

Objectives

-Recognise pressing triggers
-Press as a unit not as individuals
-Force play into pressing traps

Setup

1Build-up team of five plus a keeper in their own third.
2Pressing unit of five with cones marking the trap zones.
3Balls with the keeper.

Coaching instructions

1Keeper starts play; the pressing team presses on the trigger — a back pass, heavy touch or pass to a wide player.
2Pressing team scores by winning the ball in the trap zone.
3Ten build-ups then swap.

Coaching points

-First presser curves their run to block the switch
-Press when the ball travels, not before
-Squeeze the whole unit up together

Common mistakes

-Pressing alone and getting bypassed
-Straight run allowing the switch
-Unit not squeezing behind the presser

Equipment needed

Balls

Cones

Bibs

Age groups

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