HIGH PRESSING | TECHNICAL PRACTICE | 16 PLAYERS

STRUCTURE
• Please note that the area sizes and timings/rounds can be found on the interventions page.
• Set up two (2) training areas side by side with four (4) different coloured gates in each area, as shown in the video.
• There are sixteen (16) players in total, divided into four (4) teams, with two (2) teams training in each area.
• The defender starts the practice by calling out a colour, which triggers an attacker to step in with the ball. The defender then closes down the attacker to create a 1v1 situation.
• The objective of the attacker is to advance the ball across the opposite end line, earning one (1) point for dribbling through the side gates and two (2) points for dribbling through the centre gate.
• The objective of the defender is to gain possession of the ball and cross the end line, earning one (1) point for crossing the line where the attackers began or two (2) points for the side gates.
• After a point is scored or the ball goes out of play, the next defender gets ready, and the practice continues with the defender calling out a different colour.

STRESSES
• Encourage the defender to sprint to the ball.
• Encourage the defender to maintain the correct body shape.
• Encourage the defender to try to win the ball cleanly or force the attacker into a mistake.
• Encourage the defender to sprint back to the starting point after each action.
• PHYSICAL LOAD: Adjust area sizes based on physical outcomes. Use larger areas for high sprints/distances and smaller areas for accelerations/decelerations.

SOLUTIONS
• DENY: Shut down the ball quickly to close the space.
• DELAY: Slow down to maintain a good distance away from the ball.
• DEFLECT: Show down the outside to compress the defending space.
• DEFEND: Win the ball cleanly or force the attacker into a mistake.
COACHES TIP
“Ensure the defender is side-on, has bent knees, and is
arm's length away”