5v3 Possession (Directional) — The Basics of Pressing

• Position players as in the diagram
• It is 5v3, but it starts as 4v3 on one side
• There is one attacker in the other half; if the ball reaches them, they enter the area and the attackers again try to progress from 4v3
• At first the middle line can only be crossed with a dribble, but you can change this flexibly depending on the situation
• The defenders succeed when they win the ball
• When they win it, they swap roles with the player who lost it
• Or the player who has been defending the longest joins the attack

RULE: the defenders don't drop off — they step forward to win the ball

Note: adjust the area size according to how often the situation you want actually happens.

1. When the opponent's central player has the ball, the defenders' central player goes to press
2. When the ball goes to the side, the far-side defender aims at two passing lanes while thinking about covering
3. Close the gap, steer play to the side, then hunt the ball

1. The wide defender jumps out
2. Players mark man-to-man and the ball is switched
3. Players get drawn too far to the side and open the gap

• To bring it closer to your game model, you need a practice one level higher (think of this as a step before training in slightly larger groups)