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📋 Session Plan · Pressing

7v7 First Pressing Concepts

A 60-minute session introducing pressing as a team concept to U11-U12 squads. The trigger, the cover, and when to drop into shape.

Duration60 min AgeU11–U13 Players14 FocusPressing trigger, cover, recov
ABCDDDD

⏱Session timeline

10m
15m
25m
8m
2m

▦Session blocks

1

Press-activation warm-up

10 min

In pairs, one player dribbles slowly, partner shadows 2m behind. On PRESS! call, the shadowing player presses immediately and wins the ball or forces a stop within 3 seconds. Switch after 5 reps each.

2

3v1 pressing pattern

15 min

3 pressing players vs 1 dribbler in a 20x15 grid. Pressing team tries to force the dribbler to the touchline or win the ball within 5 seconds. If they don't win it in 5 seconds: reset. Count successes.

3

7v7 with press trigger

25 min

7v7. When the coach shouts PRESS!, the team without the ball has 5 seconds to win it. If they win it: 1 bonus point. If they don't: they drop into shape (no more pressing until next trigger). Coach calls triggers at natural transition moments.

4

Free game

8 min

No trigger calls. Do any pressing moments emerge naturally?

5

Review

2 min

What did the trigger feel like? Players describe the moment.

◆What you'll need from yourself

Resist calling the trigger too often — every 3-4 minutes maximum. Frequent triggers produce sloppy execution.

!Common problems

Pressing players chasing the ball without a clear trigger. The discipline of waiting for the signal is the point.