Tactics / Pressing

Press the back pass

A pass back to their keeper is a signal: the whole team steps up 10 metres or more, and the forward presses the keeper.

Out of possessionFrom 9v9Match moment: Press together

STEP UP 10 M OR MOREGK9108645
  • Us
  • Them
  • Pass
  • Run
  • Dribble

Why it works

While the ball travels back, their players are facing their own goal and our players can move up for free. The keeper then has less time and fewer safe passes.

What players do

  • Shout the trigger: "back!"
  • Forward: curve your run at the keeper, blocking one centre-back.
  • Everyone else steps up together, including the defenders.
  • Mark tight: the keeper has to kick long or into a crowd.

Common mistakes

  • Only the forward goes, so the keeper passes round them.
  • Defenders stay back, so the team is stretched.
  • Pressing too late, when the keeper already has the ball under control.

With young players

Remember the back-pass rule: the keeper cannot pick up a deliberate pass from a teammate's foot, so they must use their feet.

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: The low block

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
    • Push up behind the defence.
    • Come out to the edge of your box as the team steps up.
    • Claim anything kicked long over the line.

    Position guide: Goalkeeper

  • DEF
    Defenders
    • Step up with everyone.
    • Every defender moves up ten metres or more on the back pass.
    • Their forwards are now offside unless they come back too.

    Position guide: Centre-back · Full-back

  • MID
    Midfielders
    • Mark the nearest midfielder.
    • Get tight to a midfielder before the keeper looks up.
    • Win the second ball when the keeper kicks it long.

    Position guide: Holding midfielder · Central midfielder · Attacking midfielder

  • ATT
    Forwards
    • Press the keeper, curving to block one side.
    • Run at the keeper on a curve so one side is blocked.
    • Other forwards: mark their centre-backs so the short pass is gone.

    Position guide: Winger · Striker

Practices that train it

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