pressing U20 soccer drills

pressing U20 drills that you can apply to help your players progress on the pressing aspect. Sign up to receive our latest drills.

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Pressing then possession play in 3 zones by D. Simeone

This exercise on 3 zones by Diego Simeone, used at Atlético Madrid during the 2013/2014 season, is ideal for working on the defensive-to-attacking transition in the defensive third, with a situation of numerical disadvantage.

Animation: Pressing then possession play in 3 zones by D. Simeone
Mark out a space of about 30x35m and then define 2 zones of 3m each at one end of the main area. Then form 2 teams of 10 players and ask 2 offensive players to position themselves in the first zone, then 2 central defenders in the 2nd zone (see animation). Finally, place 4 support players around the main area.

The exercise starts with a possession game in the main area and the objective is to make 8 consecutive passes to score a point. However, there are certain instructions to follow:
  1. When the blue team is in possession of the ball and plays to one of its 2 defenders in the wide zone, the 2 opposing attackers can press as long as they do not enter the zone. They must block the passing angles.
  2. When the red team is in possession of the ball, the 2 blue defenders can enter the zone of the 2 attackers to press, without any particular condition.

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Pressing

Discover our pressing U20 drills

Possession game in 4 zones with mandatory switch of play

Possession game in 4 zones with mandatory switch of play

20 min
15-21 joueurs
Small-sided games
Seniors - U20
Positional play in 4 zones where the team in possession must maintain a 3v3 (+3 neutral players) and then switch of play to another zone after 8 to 10 passes....
Fast-paced 3v1 play with speed and agility work

Fast-paced 3v1 play with speed and agility work

10 min
4-16 joueurs
Conditioning
Seniors - U17
Quick possession game in 3v1 where the reds must finish in a mini-goal before the central player touches the mannequin....
Possession game in 3 zones with transitions and numerical disadvantage on the weak side

Possession game in 3 zones with transitions and numerical disadvantage on the weak side

20 min
12-18 joueurs
Small-sided games
U17 - Seniors
Three-zone possession exercise to work on reactions to transitions, the disadvantage on the weak side, and movements preparing for a potential loss of possession and counter-pressing....
Possession game with quick transitions upon losing the ball

Possession game with quick transitions upon losing the ball

20 min
12-24 joueurs
Small-sided games
Seniors - U20
Working on ball possession under pressure with immediate reaction to losing possession to strengthen defensive transition and coordinated pressing....
Possession game in 2 zones with role change

Possession game in 2 zones with role change

15 min
14-18 joueurs
Small-sided games
U15 - U16
Possession and switch of play drill in a three-zone format with role rotation between attackers and defenders....
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Possession game in double zone with coordinated press

Possession game in double zone with coordinated press

20 min
10-20 joueurs
Tactical
Seniors - U18
Possession and organized pressing drill in two adjacent zones to work on transition and counter-pressing after losing the ball....
Luis Enrique: Switch of play in a dynamic 3v3 with a neutral player

Luis Enrique: Switch of play in a dynamic 3v3 with a neutral player

20 min
10-20 joueurs
Tactical
U19 - U18
This exercise used by Luis Enrique is ideal for working on communication and anticipation during a press. It is also very easy to set up!...
José Mourinho's 3v3 with two external zones and passes between the lines

José Mourinho's 3v3 with two external zones and passes between the lines

25 min
14-18 joueurs
Small-sided games
Seniors - U20
Used at Chelsea, this drill consists of a 3v3 possession game with two external zones. It will help your players work on passing angles and playing between the lines....
Marcelo Bielsa: Build-up play under pressure and switch of play in 8v6

Marcelo Bielsa: Build-up play under pressure and switch of play in 8v6

20 min
15-18 joueurs
Tactical
U19 - U18
Used by Marcelo Bielsa, this drill, in the form of 8v6 game sequences, is ideal for training your players in build-up play and game construction under pressure....
Marcelo Bielsa: working on build-up play against a high press

Marcelo Bielsa: working on build-up play against a high press

15 min
12-20 joueurs
Tactical
U17 - Seniors
Excellent double circuit used by Marcelo Bielsa, which is ideal for working on build-up play against a high press....
Double 3v2 with pressing from a central square

Double 3v2 with pressing from a central square

15 min
11-15 joueurs
Small-sided games
U19 - U18
In this 3v2 (and 3v3 with pressing), your players will be able to work on coordinated press as well as transition play when losing the ball. Used by Mauricio Pochettino during his time at Tottenham....
Pressing then possession play in 3 zones by D. Simeone

Pressing then possession play in 3 zones by D. Simeone

18 min
18-22 joueurs
Tactical
U18 - U19
This exercise on 3 zones by Diego Simeone, used at Atlético Madrid during the 2013/2014 season, is ideal for working on the defensive-to-attacking transition in the defensive third, with a situation of numerical disadvantage....
Small group possession in 4 zones

Small group possession in 4 zones

20 min
12-18 joueurs
Small-sided games
U17 - U18
4v2 possession exercise with switch of play and attacking-defensive transition that will require a lot of focus and intensity....
High press and quick attacks on 2 small goals

High press and quick attacks on 2 small goals

20 min
14-18 joueurs
Small-sided games
U19 - U18
Great exercise to train your players in quick attacks following a high press. Offered at Tottenham, it's an ideal small-sided game to end a session....
Possession play and high press in 2 zones

Possession play and high press in 2 zones

20 min
12-18 joueurs
Small-sided games
U20 - U18
Used by Mauricio Pochettino at Tottenham, this exercise is ideal for working on the high press on the field and quick transitions. Emphasize the importance of executing the press collectively....
Ralf Rangnick's Possession Game to Work on Transitions

Ralf Rangnick's Possession Game to Work on Transitions

15 min
12-24 joueurs
Small-sided games
Seniors - U20
A relatively simple possession drill to set up, but with certain constraints that will allow your players to work on transition play and counter-pressing, initiated by Ralf Rangnick....
Recovery and Switch of Play in an 8v8 on 2 Zones

Recovery and Switch of Play in an 8v8 on 2 Zones

30 min
16-20 joueurs
Tactical
U19 - U18
Still based on Positional Play, this exercise allows you to work with your players on quick recovery (gegenpressing) as well as switching play under pressure. A perfect mix!...
Pressing and Gegenpressing: 4vs 2 + 4 in a double grid

Pressing and Gegenpressing: 4vs 2 + 4 in a double grid

20 min
10-14 joueurs
Tactical
U18 - U19
The principle is simple: possession in the small central square, then opening up to the large square. In this drill, players learn to quickly transition from defense to attack and from attack to defense. Gegenpressing, or counter-pressing, is an important training objective....
Attacking transition: pressing and ball circulation

Attacking transition: pressing and ball circulation

20 min
12-16 joueurs
Tactical
U19 - U20
Through a drill with a single goal in the middle of the field, your players work on defensive-to-attacking transitions: pressing and recovery (defensive), circulation and combination play towards attack (offensive)....
Warm-up: Possession with numerical advantage and defensive pressing

Warm-up: Possession with numerical advantage and defensive pressing

15 min
12-16 joueurs
Warm-up
U20 - U18
By creating a numerical advantage situation for the attackers in a small space, your players work on both game awareness, ball movement, and ball retention (attack) as well as coordinated pressing (defenders)....
Pressing and Counterattack Work in 8v8

Pressing and Counterattack Work in 8v8

15 min
16-18 joueurs
Tactical
U20 - U16
In an 8v8 setup with one team playing without a goalkeeper, your players practice counterattacking and pressing with a numerical advantage, as well as maintaining possession under opponent pressing....
Warm-up: pressing, constrained play and counter

Warm-up: pressing, constrained play and counter

15 min
12-18 joueurs
Warm-up
U20 - Seniors
Ideal exercise for practicing pressing and playing under pressure, as well as triggering a counterattack upon ball recovery....
Positioning of Forwards Between the Lines and Shooting

Positioning of Forwards Between the Lines and Shooting

20 min
14-16 joueurs
Tactical
U19 - U17
With this exercise, your forwards work on positioning between the lines to provide options in build-up play and attack construction. They also practice shooting....
Build-up and transition in 5v3

Build-up and transition in 5v3

12 min
8-10 joueurs
Tactical
U17 - U20
By creating an imbalance with this 5v3, you allow your players to calmly work on the attacking-defensive transition....

Other sub-theme U20 soccer drills

U20 Agility soccer drills

  1. J. Klopp: Shooting drills with a give and go around the penalty area
  2. Fast-paced 3v1 play with speed and agility work
  3. Bayern Munich: agility and quickness on a 4-cone run
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U20 Attacking transition soccer drills

  1. Defensive transitions after loss in rondo games
  2. Rondo 8v3 and Passing Accuracy Under Pressure
  3. 7v7 Possession Game with 3 Neutral Players and Gate Passes
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U20 Build-up play soccer drills

  1. Exploiting the Weak Side with this 8v4 by Marcelo Bielsa
  2. Build-up play from the goalkeeper and alternating between short passing game and direct play
  3. Rondo in 3 zones to find the 9 and exploit the numerical advantage
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U20 Circuit soccer drills

  1. The double passing sequence of F. Lampard
  2. Aerobic Training for Early Season in 6 Phases
  3. Fundamental endurance with an athletic circuit over 3 stations
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U20 Cognitive soccer drills

  1. Possession and Recovery in 2v2
  2. Pep Guardiola's off-the-ball agility with speed and coordination work
  3. Warm-up: defensive block and group positioning
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U20 Counterattack soccer drills

  1. Attacking transition of J. Klopp with quick attacks in 6v6
  2. 3-Team Transition Game: Intense 2v4 Pressing in Zones
  3. Transition and "support players" of Pep Guardiola (in 3 zones)
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U20 Counter-pressing soccer drills

  1. 3v3 Opposition with Goalkeepers and Neutral Support Players
  2. Attacking transition: pressing and ball circulation
  3. Ralf Rangnick's Possession Game to Work on Transitions
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U20 Defensive recovery / Tracking back soccer drills

  1. Possession game in 2 zones with role change
  2. Build-up play from the goalkeeper and alternating between short passing game and direct play
  3. Defensive cover and tracking back in a three-man defense
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U20 Defensive transition soccer drills

  1. Double 3v2 with pressing from a central square
  2. Defensive transition on 4 zones by Jurgen Klopp (9vs5)
  3. Pep Guardiola's Quick Attacking-Defensive Transition with 1v1 Duels
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U20 Dribbling soccer drills

  1. J. Klopp: agility and reaction time training with the ball
  2. Layoff in one-touch play and timing of the final pass in the Spanish national team
  3. Speed work, one-two pass, dribble, and shooting
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U20 Duels soccer drills

  1. 2v2 Situation and Shooting
  2. Pep Guardiola: Small-sided high-intensity play from 1v1 to 5v5
  3. Exploiting a Numerical Advantage with 3v2 Duels
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U20 Endurance soccer drills

  1. Fundamental endurance with an athletic circuit over 3 stations
  2. 2(+1) vs 2 with goalkeeper – quick attack from wide area
  3. High-intensity box-to-box runs with active recovery
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U20 Explosive strength soccer drills

  1. Fast-paced 3v1 play with speed and agility work
  2. Small-sided game in 3v3 with neutral side supports and quick shooting
  3. Fundamental endurance with an athletic circuit over 3 stations
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U20 Fun Game soccer drills

  1. Duel Training by V. Del Bosque in 1v1, 2v2, and 3v3
  2. Luis Enrique: Switch of play in a dynamic 3v3 with a neutral player
  3. Agility and information gathering by color and by team
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U20 Gaps soccer drills

  1. Collective play in deflection: movement and availability
  2. Transition and "support players" of Pep Guardiola (in 3 zones)
  3. Attacking to defensive transition with a 5v3 in a dual zone
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U20 Motor skills soccer drills

  1. Pass, dribble, cross, and near-post off-the-ball run
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U20 Offensive combinations soccer drills

  1. Jurgen Klopp's offensive combination with a double cross in front of the goal
  2. Attacker Technique: Combination, Cross, and Shooting
  3. Build-up play: finding space between the lines
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U20 Overload soccer drills

  1. Defending with a Numerical Disadvantage
  2. Build-up and transition in 5v3
  3. 6v3 Game: Playing between the lines and reactive movement
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U20 Passes soccer drills

  1. Breaking the lines: warm-up with passing circuit
  2. Warm-up: defensive block and group positioning
  3. Collective play in deflection: movement and availability
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U20 Positional play soccer drills

  1. Recovery and Switch of Play in an 8v8 on 2 Zones
  2. Possession play and defensive-attacking transition with players providing support
  3. "Juego de Posición" in possession 9v9 + 2 support players
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U20 Possession soccer drills

  1. Possession game in double zone with coordinated press
  2. Possession play and high press in 2 zones
  3. Possession play and switching against a low block
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U20 Rondos soccer drills

  1. Rondo in 3 zones to find the 9 and exploit the numerical advantage
  2. Possession game in 4 zones with mandatory switch of play
  3. 5v5 attacking game with 4 support players in tight spaces
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U20 Scanning soccer drills

  1. Zonal marking: defensive positioning and team block
  2. José Mourinho's 3v3 with two external zones and passes between the lines
  3. Warm-up with Carlo Ancelotti's Y passing drill
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U20 Shooting soccer drills

  1. Decision Making and Reaction Time with Shooting in 2v1
  2. Pep Guardiola's technical circuit with shooting and speed drill
  3. Dribbling and Shooting in a Speed and Precision Circuit
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U20 Support soccer drills

  1. 3v3 Opposition with Goalkeepers and Neutral Support Players
  2. 3v3 with 4 supports and a central player
  3. 3v3: shooting with outside support and delayed runs
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U20 Transition soccer drills

  1. Pep Guardiola: Small-sided high-intensity play from 1v1 to 5v5
  2. Shooting then defensive transition in 3v2
  3. Small group possession in 4 zones
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U20 Using width soccer drills

  1. 6v6 with central no-go zone – switches of play and attacks using width
  2. Switch of play and defensive positioning game
  3. Marcelo Bielsa: Build-up play under pressure and switch of play in 8v6
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