Playing Under Pressure | Building Out and Breaking Forward

Overview

• Built around your central defenders
• Great for players who have to build out fast right after winning the ball
• Perfect for players who struggle to make decisions when they’re being pressed

Objectives

• Build the composure to stay calm even when the pressure’s on
• Get your players scanning before the ball arrives so they read the picture better
• Set the tempo of the attack with clean forward passes
• Break through the opponent’s defense with quick, decisive play

Setup

This session puts your central defenders under pressure and asks them to spot and hit accurate forward passes.

1）Split the field into three zones: the goalkeeper area, the build-up zone (3v2), and the attacking zone (4v2)

2）The goalkeeper feeds the ball out to the two center backs

3）Two attackers start pressing. The center backs respond with their passing and their movement

4）Once a forward pass gets through, play moves into the attacking zone — a 4v2 overload to go after a goal

5）If the defending team wins the ball, they break out on a quick counter right away

6）Start with two pressers, then move up to three once your players get the hang of it