fcommit.

PRESSING & DEFENDING

Press in pairs

A 4v2 pressing drill where two defenders work as a pair: one presses the ball, the other covers. Builds communication and pressing angles.

Suggested ages
U11 to adult
Players
6 per square
Time
15–20 minutes
Area
15 × 15 m
Equipment
4 cones, balls, pinnies
Press in pairs diagramFour attackers keep the ball in a square. One defender presses the player on the ball while the second defender moves across to cover the next pass. A 15 by 15 meter area: 4 players drawn as filled discs, 2 players drawn as rings; 4 cones; 2 runs.

15 × 15 m · drawn in FCommit’s figure style

AttackersPressing pairRunCone

Set it up

  • Mark a 15 × 15 m square.
  • Four attackers have one ball. Two defenders in pinnies work as a pair.

How it works

  1. Attackers try to keep the ball and make as many passes as they can.
  2. The defending pair presses together to win the ball or force it out of the square.
  3. After each win, the defenders give the ball back and go again.
  4. Swap the defending pair every 60–90 seconds and count each pair’s wins.

Coaching points

  • First defender: press while the pass is travelling and curve your run to block one option.
  • Second defender: cover the space behind your partner, close enough to win the next pass.
  • Talk to each other: “I’ve got the ball”, “I’m covering”.
  • Press together. If one goes, both go.
See all 12 drills