Adult Possession and Press — 75 Minutes
A 75-minute session teaching adult squads to keep the ball under pressure and win it back quickly after losing it. Two sides of the same coin.
▦Session blocks
Pattern Play 5v0
Three cycles of the five-player combination. Call every pass. By cycle 3, the sequence should run without the coach naming positions. If it doesn't, run a fourth cycle. The pattern play warm-up builds the passing rhythm before possession under pressure begins.
Possession Under Press — 6v3
GK + 5 outfield vs 3 pressing forwards. Permanent 6v3 overload. The pressing team scores if they win the ball; the possession team scores by playing through the halfway line. 8 build sequences, then swap. Coaching question: 'who is free? The press creates a free player every time — find them.' Run this block for the full 18 minutes.
Counter-Press — Win it Back in 5
6v6. When Team A loses possession, they have 5 seconds to win it back. If they do: 3 bonus points. If they don't: Team B plays on. Stopwatch running. This drill is intense — 15 minutes is enough. The 5-second rule creates urgency that can't be manufactured by instruction alone.
Full Game — Possession and Transition
11v11. No specific rules — free play. The session has done the coaching. Let it show in the game. Coach observes: did the build-out structure appear? Did counter-press happen within 5 seconds? Note two specific moments in each half. Debrief after: two observations only, then done.
◆What you'll need from yourself
Clear demonstrations and high energy. Keep the session moving with minimal queuing, and reinforce one or two key coaching points rather than overloading players with information.
!Common problems
Players standing in queues (set up enough stations to keep everyone active) and the session running too long on one activity (keep blocks tight and move on while engagement is high).