Build-up 7v5 to gates
Goalkeeper, back four and two midfielders play out against five pressers and score through one of three gates about 35 m from goal.
Rules
- Area from the goal line to about 35 m, full width
- Each attack starts with the goalkeeper
- Builders score by passing or dribbling through a 4–5 m gate on the 35 m line; pressers score in the big goal
- 2 min rest between blocks; change the pressing group after block three
To make it harder
- Add a fourth presser so the goalkeeper must act as an extra outfield player
- Let the pressers go man-to-man, forcing rotations or the goalkeeper's long pass
Coaching points
- Centre-backs split to the width of the box to lengthen the forwards' runs
- Step forward to draw a presser, then release the free player
- Use the third man when the 6 is screened: centre-back, full-back, then the 8 inside
- Receive half-turned on the back foot
- Have an agreed long exit zone when every short option is shut
Common mistakes
- Centre-backs standing too close, so one forward presses both
- The 6 hiding in a forward's cover shadow
- Slow ball circulation that lets the press shift across
From the session “Playing Out from the Back Session Plan: U16 vs a High Press”
Read the full session →
Three-zone line-breaking game
Centre-back step-in game
The pattern of the day