Pressing - 2012 Girls

Our focus this week is on pressing.

The first part of pressing is a pressure, cover understanding.

The girl closest to the ball is always the one who presses the ball after we turnover possession.

She should yell, “Pressure!”, letting all of her teammates know that she is stepping to the ball.

The pressure player approaches the ball just like we’ve approached 1v1’s:

1. Bend her run, forcing her opponent to the side with the least amount of space.

2. Sprint towards the ball with long strides. On approach, small steps, positioning herself side-on of her opponent.

3. Surfboard, or side-on, stance. This, again, forces her opponent one direction into the least amount of space possible.

Our pressure player will have teammates around her that are close to the ball but not quite as close as her.

These teammates, normally two, will provide the cover on each side of the ball. In case our opponent beats the pressure player, these two teammates can then pressure the ball and win back possession for us. They yell, “Cover!"

Notice the shape our players take?

A triangle. Just like what we want in possession.

Expect 1v1’s, 2v2’s, midfield pressure exercise, rondos, and positional play games this week.