8v4 Possession (Directional) — Winning the Ball with Organized Pressing

• Position players as in the diagram. It is actually 8v4, but with rotation in mind it is set up as 4v4 + 4 floaters.
• The attackers go from the yellow players on the left, through the blue team in midfield, to the yellow team on the right. Once the ball reaches the right side, they aim to progress back to the left (the aim is to progress from floater to floater).
• Passes between floaters and long passes are OK, but at first only along the ground. As a progression you can also allow balls in the air (to adjust the difficulty for the defenders).
• The defenders succeed when they win the ball. When they win it, they pass to the players in the opposite direction and defend again.
• Attack and defence do not swap (to focus on the defenders' pressing. You can also make it a practice that includes transition, where the team that loses the ball becomes the defenders).

RULES: none in particular

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

1. When a floater has the ball, the wide players don't go to press; the central player presses
2. When the central player steps forward, the players behind close the distance (close the gap)
3. When the ball goes wide, press — and at the same time the neighbouring player covers and looks to intercept the pass
4. Always think as a unit with the player next to you (covering the neighbouring player + intercepting passes sideways)
5. The player on the side far from the ball doesn't take a deep covering position and keeps the line level

• Players are unsure who should go as the first defender (the opponent gets too much time and their passing accuracy goes up; when there is confusion, intensity drops)
• If a wide player goes as the first defender, the side is broken through easily
• Players mark man-to-man, the cover doesn't arrive in time and they can't deal with a dribble past the defender
• If awareness of sliding is low, the far-side player doesn't get there in time to press and the centre is broken through
• A wide player pays too much attention to the opponent who is spread out wide, the gap opens and a forward pass is played through

• You can also develop it by reducing the numbers or with other rule settings
• If it feels difficult, move to a practice with lower difficulty (see: 5v3 Possession, and the 4v2 Rondo — Learning Challenge & Cover)