Tactics / Pressing

Press on a trigger

Wait, stay compact, and press all together when something tells you to: a pass to the touchline, a bad touch, a pass backwards.

Out of possessionFrom 9v9Match moment: Press togetherMatch moment: Press their goal kick

TOUCHLINEGK91081176
  • Us
  • Them
  • Pass
  • Run
  • Dribble

Why it works

One player pressing on their own is easy to play round. A press only works if everyone goes at the same moment, so the team needs a shared signal.

What players do

  • Agree the triggers before the game. A pass to the full-back is a common one.
  • The nearest player presses, curving the run to block the pass back inside.
  • Everyone else steps up to mark the nearest passing option.

Common mistakes

  • One player presses alone while the rest watch.
  • Running straight at the ball, so the easy pass inside stays open.
  • Pressing without a trigger, so players get tired and spread out.

With young players

For older groups. Younger players learn more from simply winning the ball 1v1.

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: Delay, cover, balance

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
    • Stand higher behind the back line to sweep balls over the top.
    • Talk: shout the trigger word if you see it first.
    • Be ready to sweep the long ball that beats the press.

    Position guide: Goalkeeper

  • DEF
    Defenders
    • Step up behind the press so the gap stays small.
    • Mark their forward tightly the moment the trigger happens.
    • Do not let a gap open between you and midfield.

    Position guide: Centre-back · Full-back

  • MID
    Midfielders
    • Mark the nearest passing option when the trigger happens.
    • Watch for a bad touch or a pass to the touchline: that is the moment.
    • Press the next pass, not the player who just passed.

    Position guide: Holding midfielder · Central midfielder · Attacking midfielder

  • ATT
    Forwards
    • Wait, block the middle, then lead the press on the trigger.
    • Wait in the middle; do not chase the centre-backs early.
    • Curve your run so you block the pass back inside.

    Position guide: Winger · Striker

Practices that train it

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