Pressing is such a vital aspect of the modern game, it allows teams to force mistakes, win the ball high up the pitch and create goalscoring opportunities. In this article, we look at the Top 10 Pressing sessions on the platform that will help your teams press the ball more effectively.
1 - David Moyes Pressing Masterclass (11+)
In this Pro Masterclass session delivered by David Moyes, the current West Ham United manager, formerly of Manchester United and Everton, we explore the reason for pressing and the technical and tactical components of pressing individually and as a team.
The session consists of three practices including a 1v1 Warm Up, a Pressing From The Front practice and a Small Sided Game.
Access the full session here.
2 - Defending Principles of Play: Pressing and Support (13+)
In this session by UEFA PRO Licence Tutor Martin Hunter, coach your players on how to press as an individual as well as how to support behind.
This session consists of five practices:
View the FULL session here.
3 - Pressing After Losing The Ball (13+)
In this session, Graeme Murty from Rangers FC helps players understand when, where and how they can win the ball back moments after losing possession.
Coach your players to actively press upon losing the ball to attempt to win back or delay and recover to reset into a compact shape.
The session is made up of three individual practices:
Transition to Defend Rondo Practice
Transition to Defend Possession Practice
Transition to Defend 8v8 Conditioned Game
View the FULL session here.
4 - Pressing in Small Numbers (9-10)
In this session, created by one of our content team Jake Gardener coach your players on how to defend in small numbers with an emphasis on pressing and regaining the ball in the attacking half.
This session consists of three practices:
Defending In Small Numbers Skill Practice
Defending In Small Numbers Conditioned Game
View the FULL session here.
5 - Pep Clotet Press, Cover and Balance Masterclass (13+)
In this Pro Masterclass session, former Brescia and Birmingham City Manager Pep Clotet coaches players on the importance of covering when defending as a unit.
The session consists of three different skill practices.
View the FULL session here.
6 - Pressing In The Final Third (13+)
This session was created by Anthony Limbrick and is aimed at the 13+ age group. It allows your players to develop and recognise cues and triggers to press the opposition in the final third of the field.
It is made up of three practices:
High Intensity Pressing Warm Up
Pressing In The Final Third Skill Practice
Pressing As A Team Modified Game
View the FULL session here.
7 - Pressing As A Unit (13+)
A session by TCM Technical Director Paul Bright. This sessions allows individuals and units to recognise cues and triggers to press in an attempt to regain the ball as quickly and as high up the pitch as possible, whilst restricting penetrative passes.
It is made up of four individual practices:
Pressing 5+5vTargets Skill Practice
Defending As A Unit 11v11 Game
View the FULL session here.
8 - Pressing In Transition (15+)
In the session by The Coaching Manual’s Head of Content Lee Fletcher, encourage players to press immediately after losing the ball to prevent the opposition from getting out of an area after winning position.
This session consists of two skill practices and a conditioned game to finish:
Pressing in the Transition 4v4+4 Skill Practice
Pressing in the Transition Skill Practice
Pressing in the Transition Conditioned Game
View the FULL session here.
9 - Pressing In The Opposition Half As A Team (9-12)
Another session from The Coaching Manual’s Technical Director here, this time the session promotes the concepts of pressing in the opposition half to regain the ball high up the pitch and near the opposition goal. Aimed at a lower age group of 9-12.
The session starts with a warm-up and ends with two different skill practices:
Skill Practice 2
View the FULL session here.
10 - Pressing from The Front (Guide)
For the final section of this article, we are taking a look at an educational guide for coaches that highlights how to Press From the front effectively. This guide will help your players to understand the core principles and concepts of pressing from the front.
Written by Lee Fletcher, this guide includes infographics, animations, video content and detailed descriptions throughout.
Access the guide here.