Coach developer, Steve Lilley: how to help young players press more effectively as a team

Game | Skills | 13.10.2022

Coaches should try to help young players to recognise who, when, where and why to press, says Coach Developer, Steve Lilley Image: Getty Images / Getty Images Sport

Learning:

-      Understanding the ‘cues and triggers’ of pressing

-          How pressing fits within the defending ‘principles of play’

-          Developing decision-makers: when to press and when to hold

To effectively press as a team, players are required to be ‘in sync’ with each other. On many occasions, there is little point in individual players applying pressure on the opponent if their own teammates are not connected – both in terms of their movements and thought processes. 

In order to press effectively as a team, players would, ideally, be ‘in balance’ and organised. If so, they can set ‘a trap’ for their opponents to play into.  This is easier to do when defending against a restart – most commonly a goal-kick – as players have time to position themselves in a pre-planned shape. From there, individuals can take into consideration angles and distances of cover and balance.