8v8 Pressing on the Sideline Trigger
An 8v8 game where the defending team scores a bonus point for winning the ball within 6 seconds after a pass to a full-back near the sideline. Rehearses one clear pressing trigger.
- Age
- U15–Senior
- Players
- 16–22
- Duration
- 24 min
- Difficulty
- Advanced
- Intensity
- High
- Area
- 70 × 50 m
- Type
- Tactical
- Approach
- Global
- Format
- Match
- Objectives
- Tactical: Pressing, Defensive organisation
- Concepts worked on
Training diagram
Legend
- Attacker
- Defender
- Goalkeeper
- Pass
- Run without ball
- Ball
- Cone
- Goal
Pressing works when everyone reacts to the same signal. A pass to the full-back is a classic trigger: the touchline acts as an extra defender. The bonus point makes every player watch for it, sprint to their pressing positions and close the inside options together.
Objective
Recognise a pressing trigger and press together to win the ball near the sideline.
Organisation
- Pitch of 70 × 50 m with two goals and goalkeepers. Two teams of seven outfield players.
How it works
- Normal game.
- When a team passes to a player in the wide 10 m channel in its own half, the opponent scores a point by winning the ball within 6 seconds.
- Goals worth three points. 3 × 8 minutes.
Coaching points
- Nearest player presses the receiver from the inside, forcing them to the line.
- Next players close the inside pass and the pass back.
- Far-side players tuck in: leave the far side.
Progressions
- Add a second trigger: a back pass to the goalkeeper.
Regressions
- Only the trigger team presses; the other plays without pressure.
Variations
- Play 9v9 on a larger pitch.
Key principles
- One signal, everyone reacts.
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