Football drills
Football pressing drills
8 free Football drills for pressing, each with the setup, how it runs, what to coach, and how to make it harder or easier.
8 drills
Build-up playPressingBuild-up against a high press 8v6A keeper, back four and three midfielders play out through gates on halfway against six pressers, who score in the big goal.25 min · 14–16 players · U16+
TransitionPressingCounter-press: win it back in five secondsA 6v6 game where the team that loses the ball has five seconds to win it back, and a goal straight after the regain counts three.24 min · 14–16 players · U16+
PressingPositional playHigh press team shape 8v8Eight press a keeper, back four and three midfielders as one unit, jumping together on the pass to the full-back to win it in the wide trap.25 min · 16–18 players · U16+
DefendingPressingPress and cover 3v3The first defender presses the ball and the second covers. Swap roles after each goal.15 min · 6–8 players · U11+
PressingDecision-makingPressing triggers 6v4Four defenders hold a compact shape and press together only on a trigger, then try to score fast after winning the ball.18 min · 10–12 players · U14+
Passing & receivingPressingRondo 4v2Four attackers keep the ball in a square while two defenders press as a pair.12 min · 6 players · U10+
PressingTransitionRondo 5v2 with transitionA rondo where the defender who wins the ball swaps out with the attacker who lost it.15 min · 7 players · U12+
PossessionPressingRondo 6v3, two touchesSix keep the ball from three in a 20 × 20 m square on two touches. A split pass scores, and the three press as a unit.18 min · 9 players · U15+