Tactics / Pressing

Press with a cover shadow

Press the ball on a curved run, so the opponent you are leaving behind stays in your "shadow", hidden from the passer.

Out of possessionFrom 9v9Match moment: Press togetherMatch moment: Press their goal kickMatch moment: Their keeper has it

THE PASS THEY WANTSHADOWGK910
  • Us
  • Them
  • Pass
  • Run
  • Dribble

Why it works

One player can press the ball and block a pass at the same time. That means the team needs fewer players to press, and the rest can stay in shape.

What players do

  • Before you press, check who is behind you.
  • Curve your run so that player is directly behind you, in line with the ball.
  • Keep them in your shadow as you get close.
  • Push the ball sideways or backwards, not forwards.

Common mistakes

  • Running straight at the ball, so the pass behind you is wide open.
  • Curving so much that you never actually get close.
  • Looking only at the ball and losing track of the player behind.

With young players

Show it with torches or a sunny day: the player behind you is in your shadow. Then play 1v1 plus a target player.

Drawn on a 105 × 68 m pitch, showing the part where it happens. Orange attacks left to right and the other team is in blue; numbers are the usual shirt numbers for each position.

Put it into your own team's plan in the team builder, and see what it asks of each player.

Next: Press the back pass

What it asks of each player

The same idea, from every line of the team. Set it up for your own team in the team builder.

  • GK
    Goalkeeper
    • Nothing new.
    • Watch the player hidden behind our presser: if the shadow slips, shout.

    Position guide: Goalkeeper

  • DEF
    Defenders
    • Mark the striker; the press will force the ball sideways.
    • Stay close to the striker so the forced pass sideways is the only one on.
    • Step up the moment the ball goes sideways.

    Position guide: Centre-back · Full-back

  • MID
    Midfielders
    • Use cover shadows too, when you press their midfielders.
    • When you press a midfielder, curve so their forward is behind you.
    • Pick up the hidden player if they move out of the shadow.

    Position guide: Holding midfielder · Central midfielder · Attacking midfielder

  • ATT
    Forwards
    • Curve your press to keep their holding midfielder hidden.
    • Run at an angle so their holding midfielder stays directly behind you.
    • Slow down as you arrive: a shadow only works if you stay between them.

    Position guide: Winger · Striker

Practices that train it

Start with the first, and build up to the game.