8v4 Three-Team Possession: One Team Presses
Two teams of four keep the ball together against a third team that presses for the whole round. The pressing team counts its recoveries; every team presses once.
- Age
- U11–Senior
- Players
- 12–15
- Duration
- 15 min
- Difficulty
- Intermediate
- Intensity
- High
- Area
- 30 × 25 m
- Type
- Integrated
- Approach
- Global
- Format
- Possession game
- Objectives
- Technical: Passing
- Tactical: Ball possession, Pressing
- Physical: Endurance
- Concepts worked on
- Tactical:Ball retentionSupport playScanningPressingCompactness
- Physical:Endurance
Training diagram
Legend
- Attacker
- Defender
- Neutral / support
- Pass
- Run without ball
- Ball
- Cone
With three teams of four, two teams join forces (8v4) and the third presses non-stop for 90 seconds. The team in possession works on circulation with a big overload, while the pressing team learns to press as a unit: one player on the ball, the others closing the nearest passing lines. It is also a demanding physical block for the pressing team.
Objective
Keep the ball in a clear overload and, for the pressing team, win it back by pressing together.
Organisation
- 30 × 25 m area.
- Three teams of four in different bibs (up to five per team).
- The coach stands outside with a supply of balls.
How it works
- Two teams play together against the third (8v4). Players in possession have a maximum of two touches.
- The pressing team plays for 90 seconds and scores a point every time it wins the ball or forces it out.
- After a recovery or ball out of play, the coach immediately plays a new ball to the possession teams.
- Change the pressing team after every round. Each team presses twice; the team with the most recoveries wins.
Coaching points
- Possession teams: stay spread out; one team uses the outside, the other offers inside support.
- Check your shoulder before receiving so you already know where the next pass goes.
- Pressing team: the nearest player presses the ball and the other three cut the closest passing lines.
- Press on a signal: a bad touch, a pass backwards or a ball towards the line.
- Keep the pressing four close together; if one presses alone, the ball goes round them.
Progressions
- One-touch play for the players inside the area.
- Reduce to 30 × 20 m.
Regressions
- Unlimited touches.
- Pressing team of three (8v3).
Variations
- The pressing team must pass the recovered ball to the coach to score (trains the first pass after winning it).
Key principles
- Spread out with the ball.
- Press as a unit.
- Look before receiving.
Share this task
Useful? Send it to your coaching staff or save the diagram.