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📅 6-Week Block · U13–U15

6-Week Pressing Block (U13–U15)

Six weeks to build a coordinated pressing game for U13–U15 squads. Pressing is the most misunderstood tactic at grassroots — this block teaches it as a disciplined, triggered team action, not chaotic ball-chasing. From individual pressing angles to a full team press.

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📅How this block works

Run one focus per week across six weeks. Each week builds on the last, so by week six the concepts combine naturally in match play. Every week links to ready-to-run drills from the library — print the plan or share it to your team WhatsApp. Week six is always assessment: play, observe, and let the habits show.

Week 1

Individual pressing fundamentals

Start with one player. Teach the angle of approach that shows the opponent one way, and the timing of when to press versus when to hold.

This week's drills U11–U14Press-Cover-Shadow→U13–adultZonal Midfield Defence→U12–adultDefensive Recovery Shape→
Week 2

Press and cover

The two-player relationship. One presses the ball, the other covers the pass behind. The foundation of all team pressing.

This week's drills U11–U14Wide Channel 1v1 Defending→U12–U13Recovery Run Defending→U13–U14Defensive Transition — Counter-Press→
Week 3

Pressing triggers

When to press. Teach the cues — a heavy touch, a backward pass, a player facing their own goal — that trigger the whole team.

This week's drills U14–U15Offside Trap Coordination→U13–adultCounter-Press Trigger→U12–U15Compact Mid-Block→
Week 4

Compactness behind the press

While the front presses, the rest compress. Teach the team to squeeze space so the press has support and the pitch shrinks.

This week's drills U12–adultCounter-Attack Transition SSG→U12–U13Pressing Trigger SSG→U10–U14Overload Scoring SSG→
Week 5

Counter-pressing

The five seconds after losing the ball. Train the instinct to win it back immediately before the opponent settles.

Week 6

Match integration

Assessment week. Conditioned games with pressing triggers live. Watch for coordinated, triggered pressing — not chasing.