Mid Block with Pressing Signals: 8+GK v 8+GK
A team match where blue defend in a compact 4-4 mid block and only press when a signal appears: a pass to the touchline, a back pass or a poor touch.
- Age
- U13–Senior
- Players
- 18–20
- Duration
- 25 min
- Difficulty
- Advanced
- Intensity
- Medium
- Area
- 70 × 50 m
- Type
- Tactical
- Approach
- Global
- Format
- Match
- Objectives
- Tactical: Pressing, Defensive organisation, Decision making
- Concepts worked on
- Tactical:PressingCompactnessShiftingCover
Training diagram
Legend
- Attacker
- Defender
- Goalkeeper
- Pass
- Run without ball
- Ball
- Cone
- Goal
Pressing everywhere all the time is not possible for a whole match. This game trains the alternative: the team waits in a compact mid block in the middle third, keeps the opponents in front, and presses together only when a signal tells them the moment is right. Red build up from their goalkeeper and try to play through or around the block; blue score double when they win the ball in the middle third and finish quickly.
Objective
Defend as a compact mid block and press together, at the right moment, when a pressing signal appears.
Organisation
- Pitch of 70 × 50 m between the two penalty boxes, divided into thirds with cones. Full-size goal and goalkeeper at each end.
- 8 + goalkeeper against 8 + goalkeeper. Blue defend in a 4-4 block; red build up with 2 centre-backs, 2 full-backs, 2 midfielders and 2 forwards.
- With 19 or 20 players, the extras are neutrals with red in the build-up and swap in every series.
How it works
- Every attack starts with red's goalkeeper. Blue wait with their front line at the start of the middle third; they may not press in red's first third without a signal.
- Pressing signals: a pass to a full-back near the touchline, a back pass, a poor touch, or a receiver with their back to goal. The nearest blue player shouts “Go!” and the block steps up together.
- Red score 1 goal. Blue score 2 goals if they win the ball in the middle third and finish within 8 seconds, 1 goal otherwise.
- 4 series of 5 minutes with 2 minutes of rest. Swap roles after two series.
Coaching points
- No more than 10–12 m between the two lines and between players of the same line.
- Shift towards the ball as it travels; the far full-back tucks in.
- On the signal, the presser cuts the inside pass and the next player covers the closest option.
- If the press is broken, everyone sprints back behind the ball before anyone presses again.
- Communicate: one voice starts the press, the centre-backs control the height of the line.
Progressions
- Add a third signal: a slow square pass between red's centre-backs.
- Red play with 3 touches maximum.
Regressions
- Only one signal (pass to the full-back) at first.
- Red forwards cannot drop into the middle third.
Variations
- Low block version: blue start at the edge of their own third and press only inside it.
Key principles
- Compact block.
- Press on a signal, together.
- Recover the shape after a broken press.
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