Pressure with Cover
Two defenders share first pressure and cover as two live attackers choose a ground route towards an end zone.
- 10 min
- 4–8 players
Drill · U16
Press and Cover Shadow Play
A back four and a midfield pair shift as a unit against ball movement — no tackling, just the shape that makes the press work.
- Duration
- 15 min
- Players
- 8–14
- Defending
- Pressing
- Communication
- Teamwork
Setup
Step 1 of 3
Four defenders and two midfielders in shape; servers on the outside move the ball.
Coaching points
- Distance between the two centre-backs never grows past ten metres.
- The presser goes on the slow pass, not the quick one.
- Cover sits inside and behind the presser — never level with them.
- Talk: the covering player calls the press, not the other way round.
Equipment
- Balls · 4
- Cones · 6
- Bibs · 6
Progressions
- Harder Let the servers play a forward into the space behind the press.
- Easier Walk the shifts with the ball in hand, no pressing.
