Futsal · Passing & receiving · Rotations

Breaking the press

The team builds out from the keeper against a four-player press, using short angles and a third-player run to get over halfway.

GKA1A2A3A4D1D2D3D4
Start / 6
Time
20 min
Players
9–14
Age
U13+
Area
Full court
Equipment
8 futsal balls4 bibs2 goals

Setup

  1. Four attackers (A1–A4) and their keeper (GK) build out from one end.
  2. Four pressers (D1–D4) press man-to-man from the start.
  3. The attackers start in a 2-1-1: A1 and A2 wide near GK, A3 in the middle, A4 high as the pivot.

How it runs

  1. GK starts with the ball and must release it within 4 seconds.
  2. Attackers score a point by dribbling over halfway, or a goal by finishing in the far goal.
  3. Pressers who win the ball attack GK's goal straight away.
  4. Rounds of 2 minutes, then swap. Rolling subs from the substitution zone.

Coaching points

  • Make the court big: wide players on the touchlines, the pivot high.
  • Move away from your marker, then show. Check off, check back.
  • Receive side-on so you can play forward first time.
  • When your marker follows you, the space they leave is for a team-mate.
  • Look for the third player: in to feet, lay-off, runner in behind.
  • Once GK has released it, there's no pass back to GK in this half until a presser touches it, so the outfield players must keep a safe angle.

Common mistakes

  • Everyone coming short at once, so nobody is free behind the press.
  • Standing still and waiting for the ball.
  • Taking a touch facing your own goal and getting trapped.
  • Forcing it through the middle when the press has shut it.

Say it: “Check off, show, play forward.”

Make it harder

  • Two touches max for the attackers.
  • The point only counts if it comes within 8 seconds of GK's release.
  • Add a fifth presser.

Make it easier

  • Pressers walk until the first pass is made.
  • Three pressers instead of four.

Reviewed by the Sportdify coaching team.