Developing a Pressing

Mentality

Presented by WORLDCLASSCOACHING.com
 Coaching Soccer Weekly [DEVELOPING A PRESSING MENTALITY]

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This week I look at the benefits of training your team to press as a team. I’ve always
preferred to have my teams play a high pressure defense. It puts us on the front foot and
creates an aggressive mentality that carries over to every area of the game.

We saw this during the recent Women’s World Cup. There were a number of changes
that contributed to the US Women’s improved play as they entered the elimination
rounds but I think a one of the most important was the fact that we pressed much more
than we did in group play.

The training session at the end of the episode will help you train your players to do a
better job of pressing their opponents. This will allow them to win the ball higher up the
field but more importantly, it will increase their confidence and speed of play across
every phase of play.

Women's World Cup

During the group games the US Women didn't really press very often. But this changed
in the elimination rounds. Two players would not be available for the game
against China Lauren Holiday and Megan Rapinoe where out with yellow card
suspensions so Amy Rodriguez and Kelly O'Hara would take their places.

The team also changed formations. Some commentators called it a 4-3-3, some a 4-5-1
but I looked at it as a 4-2-3-1 with Morgan Brian and Kelly O’Hara playing as Holding
Midfielders which allowed Carli Lloyd to play much higher than in previous games. Amy
Rodriguez and Health played on the wings which left Alex Morgan playing up top alone.

These players and this formation allow the US Women to press the China defense and
force them into making mistakes and losing the ball close to their own goa.

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 [DEVELOPING A PRESSING MENTALITY] Coaching Soccer Weekly

This totally changed not just the tactics but the team's mentality. Pressing changes not
only your defense but also your attacking mentality. Your speed of play increases
because you're playing hard and fast to win the ball so it's more likely that you'll keep
this rhythm when attacking. By winning the ball closer to the opponent's goal there are
more opportunities to create goalscoring chances. All of this fosters a, ‘Go for it!’
attitude in the players.

The Keys to Effective Pressing

The first defender, the one closest to the ball, has to make it difficult on the opponent
with the ball and make their play predictable. Forcing the player inside, toward their
weak foot, into pressure to against the sideline with limit their options. Then the other
defenders must be ready to ‘Step On the Next Pass’. Anticipating where the ball will be
passed allows you to pressure the next player more quickly and limit their options.

If we hunt in packs then we can force them into a mistake and regain possession. If only
one players pressures, they can find a pass, break our pressure and play wherever they
want.

I love the energy this type of defending encourages. The players all have to be on the
front foot and ready to pressure the ball or step on the next pass.

This is a very effective tactic with youth teams because young players are prone to make
mistakes anyway. This puts more pressure on them and puts your team in position to
take advantage of their mistakes. It also boosts the confidence of your players which will
improve their play.

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 Coaching Soccer Weekly [DEVELOPING A PRESSING MENTALITY]

Training Session

Warm-Up

I found this pressing warm up on, 'The Coaching Manual' YouTube page. Here is a link
to it.

The player across from the ball presses it. The player with the ball passes right and runs
left and the pattern continues with the player across from the ball pressing it.

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 [DEVELOPING A PRESSING MENTALITY] Coaching Soccer Weekly

Then have the player with the ball pass to the left and run to the right. Finally, allow the
players to choose which direction they pass but they alway run to the other side. Now
the players have to read the defender and attacker to figure out where the ball is going
before it has been passed. The question becomes, 'Do I need to prepare to receive or
defend?'

Encourage the defenders to take one side away and force the ball to the other side. This
makes play more predictable.

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 Coaching Soccer Weekly [DEVELOPING A PRESSING MENTALITY]

5v2

Take these same concepts and put them into a game of 5 v 2.

The first defender cuts off one side and forces the ball to stay on that side of the field.
The covering defender positions themselves to prevent the through ball and prepares to
pressure the ball played to their side.

The defenders must win the ball or force it to be passed out of bounds. Have the
defenders win the ball four times before they switch.

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 [DEVELOPING A PRESSING MENTALITY] Coaching Soccer Weekly

Transitional Possession

Use a space the size of two penalty areas. This is an easy way to make the size of the area
relative to the age of the players. Divided the space in half and put eight players on each
team. Fewer is fine but keep the size of the area relative to the number of players and
their ability level as well as their age. One team is on each side of the area. The coach has
a supply of balls at the halfway line.

The ball is passed in to one team and the other team sends two defenders to win it. If the
attackers make five passes the defending team sends another defender to try to win the
ball. If they make five more passes, the defending team gets another player.

Give five points if the defending team wins the ball before five passes are completed.
They receive three points if they win the ball after 10 passes. The defending team
receives one point any time after that.

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 Coaching Soccer Weekly [DEVELOPING A PRESSING MENTALITY]

This creates the motivation for the defenders to work hard and win the ball quickly. It
also provides an opportunity to emphasize the key points of pressing from earlier in the
session.

Small-Sided Game

This is a normal small-sided game but the attacking team scores a point every time they
can keep the ball for ten seconds. They receive two points if they can also score a goal.

The gives the defending team motivation to pressure and win the ball back quickly to
prevent the attackers from receiving points for possession.

You can change the amount of time the attacker keep the ball depending on the age and
ability level of your team. Make them keep it longer if possession for 10 seconds is too
easy.

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 [DEVELOPING A PRESSING MENTALITY] Coaching Soccer Weekly

I think that players really enjoy playing in a pressing system. The energy and attitude is
positive and aggressive. The whole team is focused on winning the ball back quickly so
they can start attacking again.

Go through this training session or one like it the week before a game and then focus on
pressing in the next match. This is where you’ll see how well the players understand the
concepts. You’ll be able to remind the players of the key points and what to look for as
they press the ball.

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