Match moments / They have the ball
Press together
A press works when everyone goes at the same moment. The striker waits, the winger springs the trap, and the holding midfielder turns the regain into an attack.
In the match
- Decision 1Striker
- Decision 2Winger
- Decision 3Holding mid
You are 9, our striker.
Their centre-back has it. Do you press now?
Play the build-up, then choose.
Best choice
You keep the pass into their midfielder closed, so the only easy pass is wide to the full-back: the trigger the team agreed.
Costly
One player pressing alone is easy to play round, and you have opened the middle behind you.
It can work
Compact, but too deep. Their centre-back walks forward with the ball and picks a pass.
In the match, play carries on from the best choice.
You are 7, our right winger.
They pass to their full-back. You are nearest. What do you do?
Play what happened next, then choose.
Best choice
Your curved run cuts off the pass back inside. With the touchline on the other side, they have nowhere to go.
It can work
You get there, but the pass inside is still open, and they play round you.
Costly
The trigger passes and nobody goes. The full-back has time to look up and play forward.
In the match, play carries on from the best choice.
You are 6, our holding midfielder.
You have won their long kick in their half. What now?
Play what happened next, then choose.
Best choice
We won it high and wide, so the quickest way to goal is the player already there, against a full-back still recovering.
It can work
We keep it, but a long switch takes time, and their team gets back in shape.
Costly
Their midfielder is right next to you. The press won the ball; one dribble gives it back.
How you know it is happening
- A pass to their full-back near the touchline.
- A bad touch, or a player facing their own goal.
- A pass backwards.
Why it works
A press only works if everyone goes at the same moment, so the team needs a shared signal. The press itself works by taking passes away, not by chasing the ball. And the point of winning it high is to attack straight away.
Your job, by position
- WWinger and wide midfielder
- Curve your run to cut off the pass inside.
- Go on the trigger, not before.
- After we win it, be the first forward pass.
- STStriker
- Wait between their centre-backs and block the middle.
- On the trigger, block the pass back to the centre-back.
- CMCentral midfielder
- Mark the nearest passing option when the trigger happens.
- Stay close enough to touch your midfielder.
- DMHolding midfielder
- Push up behind the press to win the long kick.
- When you win it, pass forward at once.
- FBFull-back and wing-back
- Step up behind your winger.
- Win anything kicked down the line.
- CBCentre-back
- Squeeze up so the gap behind the press stays small.
- Watch for the ball over the top.
How to explain it
- Agree one or two triggers before the match and give them a call word.
- Draw the curved run with cones in training.
- Count the times the team pressed together, not just the times it won the ball.
On the training pitch
- On your ownClose down and jockeyThe technique underneath it, with a ball and some space.
- The practiceRondo: 5 against 2The same decision, over and over, with a little pressure.
- The gameWin it highA small-sided game set up so the moment keeps happening.
Set the game up so it keeps happening
- Defenders score if they win it within six seconds of the trigger pass.
- Wide channels where the trigger pass must go.
Three things to say
- Go on the trigger.
- Curve the run.
- Everyone steps up together.
On Saturday
Tick them off on the day. Nothing is saved: print the page if you want to keep it.
After the whistle
Ask yourself
- Did you press when the trigger happened?
- Did your run block a pass?
What to look back on
- How many times did we win it in their half?
- Did the back line follow the press?